Egypt’s Mahmoud Hassan aka Trezeguet pens Villa Deal

Egypt’s Mahmoud Hassan aka Trezeguet pens Villa Deal

by | 24 Jul, 2019 | African News

Egyptian winger, Mahmoud Hassan, commonly known as Trezeguet, has completed his move to English Premiership side Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.

Trezeguet, 24, who made four appearances and scored one goal at this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations, is Villa’s ninth summer signing.

The Egypt international winger signed from club Kasimpasa.

He started his career with Egyptian side Al Ahly before moving to Anderlecht in 2015, joining Kasimpasa two years later.

“We’re excited to work with ‘Trez’,” said Villa boss Dean Smith.

“I’ve watched him several times. He’s the type of wide player that we have been looking for who is direct, causes problems for the opposition in the final third and scores goals.”

 

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Algeria crowned African Champions after 29 years wait

Algeria crowned African Champions after 29 years wait

by | 20 Jul, 2019 | African News

  • Algeria crowned Africa Champions after 29 years wait.
  • Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal propelled Algeria to a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 29 years with a fiery 1-0 victory over Senegal in Friday’s final in Cairo.

Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start in the second minute when his deflected shot looped over Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and it proved enough for the 1990 champions to lift the trophy on foreign soil for the first time.

Algeria protected its lead for much of the game, allowing Senegal to dominate possession and push forward.

But Senegal couldn’t find the final touch, with its worst miss in the second half when Sarr blasted a volley over the crossbar from in front of Algeria’s goal.

Algeria’s celebrations at the end were boisterous, with thousands of supporters making the trip across to Egypt for the final.

They took up almost half of one side of the stadium and were kept in check by rows of yellow-vested security personnel who stood facing them near the field.

 

 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP) Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Nigeria captain John Mikel retires from International football

Nigeria captain John Mikel retires from International football

by | 18 Jul, 2019 | African News

Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has confirmed his retirement from international football, BBC Sports reports.

The 32-year-old midfielder made 89 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2019, scoring six times.

Mikel, who has just signed for Trabzonspor in Turkey had already told BBC Sport that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt would be his last appearance on the continental showpiece event.

“At the age of 32 it’s time for me to retire from the national team and let the youth take over, (sic) who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019,” he wrote on social media. 

“Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my national career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my country.

“The 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for the national team with Super Eagles.”

His expected decision comes despite coach Gernot Rohr saying Mikel could guide his young team for a few more years in their quest to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and allowing me to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career,” Mikel added.

“Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and my country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.”

Mikel played for Nigeria in the past two World Cups and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was part of the team that finished third at the 2006 and 2010 Nations Cups.

He made two appearances for his country at the ongoing tournament in Egypt as the Super Eagles sealed a third-place finish on Wednesday.

A finalist with the youth side at the under-20 World Cup in 2005, the former Chelsea player won the silver ball as the tournament’s second-best player behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

He was also one of Nigeria’s three over-age players as the African side won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

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Clarence Seedorf sacked as Cameroon coach

Clarence Seedorf sacked as Cameroon coach

by | 16 Jul, 2019 | African News

The Cameroon Football Federation sacked coach Clarence Seedorf and assistant Patrick Kluivert on Tuesday, the pair paying the price for the defending champions’ last 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon crashed out 3-2 to Nigeria last Saturday, an exit the federation described as “premature” in its statement.

Former Dutch international Seedorf won just three of nine competitive games after taking over the Indomitable Lions alongside Kluivert last August.

The federation are now hunting for a manager to prepare the national side for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which they are hosting.

With a haul of four Champions League wins, five national titles and a host of individuals awards, Seedorf, a former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder enjoyed a decorated career on the pitch.

But his transition into management has come with a steep learning curve.

Failures with Milan and Chinese club Shenzhen, relegation with Deportivo La Coruna and early elimination with Cameroon have clouded his reputation.

Source: AFP – Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.

Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final after 17 years wait

Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final after 17 years wait

by | 14 Jul, 2019 | African News

  • Senegal have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final for only the second time in their history after a bizarre own goal in extra time in Sunday’s semi-finals.

As a result, the Teranga Lions will wait to face the winner between either Algeria or Nigeria in Friday’s final.

Senegal seeking another continental title after 17 years, they were runners-in 2002 AFCON.

A terrible mistake by goalkeeper Moez Hassen in the 100th-minute allowed the ball to bounce off the head of defender Dylan Bronn into the net for the only goal of a game.

Hassen came flying off his goal-line to try to cut off a freekick from the right flank but completely missed the ball which then hit the unfortunate Bronn on the head.

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Tunisia down Madagascar to set up cracker with Senegal

Tunisia down Madagascar to set up cracker with Senegal

by | 12 Jul, 2019 | African News

  • They face Senegal at 17:00 BST on Sunday, with Algeria facing Nigeria at 20:00 BST.

Tunisia proved too strong for debutant Madagascar with a 3-0 victory at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Thursday night to reached their first Africa Cup of Nations semi-final since 2004.

The Carthage Eagles were impressive and took the lead through led through Ferjani Sassi’s deflected shot from the edge of the box.

Youssef Msakni then doubled their lead after Wahbi Khazri’s shot was parried by Melvin Adrien.

Naim Sliti smartly completed their victory in injury-time third to cap off a counter-attack as Madagascar sent players forward.

Indian Ocean island side Madagascar, ranked 108th in the world, where the story of their debut tournament. They had to start Afcon qualifying in the preliminary round in March 2017, but went on to stun Nigeria in the group stages last month and then DR Congo in the last 16.

Elsewhere, Algeria reached this year’s semis of the Africa Cup of Nations by beating Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

 

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