AFCON 2023 - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

Traore, Diatta banned following Cup of Nations outbursts

AFCON 2023

MALI captain Hamari Traore and Senegal winger Krepin Diatta have been suspended for an effective two matches each following their respective tempestuous reactions to exits at the hands of hosts Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Ivorians defeated Senegal on penalties in the last 16, with Diatta incensed over what he perceived to be incorrect calls from the match officials. He described the Confederation of African Football as "corrupt" and was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute which also carried a fine of $10,000. Ivory Coast went on to beat Mali 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals following…

Feb

2024

By The African Mirror

African female football star sets world transfer record

AFCON 2023

BAY FC have signed Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji from Spain's Madrid CFF, the clubs announced, with the American team paying up to a reported $860,000 to set a new world record in women's football. The 23-year-old, who joined Madrid in 2022 from fellow Spanish top-tier side Eibar, signed a contract through the 2027 season with an extension option for the 2028 campaign, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club said.. The San Francisco Bay Area's new NWSL franchise paid $785,000 for Kundananji, local media reported, with a possible $75,000 in add-ons, making her the most expensive female soccer player ever. The…

Feb

2024

By The African Mirror

Ghana fans demand reform after Cup of Nations flop

AFCON 2023

HUNDREDS of soccer fans took to the streets of Ghana's capital Accra, demanding better governance for football after their team failed to get out of the group stage at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. Clad in black and red T-shirts saying "Save Ghana football" and holding placards, the protesters marched through the main streets to show their frustration over the Black Stars' poor performances at recent major tournaments. Ghana, four-time Nations Cup champions but not since 1982, has qualified for four World Cups and reached the quarter-finals in 2010. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) sacked coach Chris Hughton last month after…

Feb

2024

By CHUKA ONWUMECHILI

African football won the 34th Afcon, with Côte d’Ivoire a close second

AFCON 2023

The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) came to an end in Côte d'Ivoire with millions of viewers around the world shouting at TV screens, and an astonishing performance by Côte d'Ivoire both on the field as champions and off it as hosts. The West African country beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final but the good news was bigger than the match. The group stage of the most important national tournament in Africa produced an average of 2.47 goals per game – the highest in the competition for over a decade. CHUKA ONWUMECHILI, Professor of Communications, Howard University As a…

Feb

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Ivory Coast relief after winning Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

IVORY Coast’s success at the Africa Cup of Nations was all about taking advantage of second chances, but after coming from behind to beat Nigeria in Sunday's final, relief was the overwhelming emotion, winning coach Emerse Fae said. The host nation completed a fairytale recovery after coming close to early elimination, fighting their way back from a goal down in three of their four knockout matches before securing the trophy with a 2-1 success in Sunday’s final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium. Fae started the tournament as assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset but took over when the veteran French coach was…

Feb

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Haller seals 2-1 Cup of Nations final win for Ivory Coast over Nigeria

AFCON 2023

SEBASTIEN Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as hosts Ivory Coast claimed a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday. It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude that led them to the title. William Troost-Ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s…

Feb

2024

By MARK GLEESON

South Africa take third place at Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

SOUTH Africa took third place at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast when they edged the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Saturday. South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena hit the outside of the post with the first kick after which the next eight efforts were all successful, leaving DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba needing to score to win the contest. But South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved Mbemba's effort was saved, taking the shootout into sudden death. Williams then saved again from Meschak Elia to…

Feb

2024

By MARK GLEESON

London at the heart of Nigeria’s bid for Cup of Nations glory

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA will have a strong London connection in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final with key players born in Britain likely to line up against the Ivory Coast. There are four players born in the boroughs of the British capital in the Nigerian squad plus two other key regulars, Calvin Bassey and midfielder Alex Iwobi, who have lived in London from an early age. Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman are English-born and have made a major contribution to Nigeria’s progress to the final. Joe Aribo, also from London and who struggled with injury at the start of the…

Feb

2024

By The African Mirror

Burkina Faso’s Velud latest Cup of Nations coaching casualty

AFCON 2023

BURKINA FASO has decided not to renew the contract of coach Hubert Velud after their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 exit, the country’s football federation said. Burkina Faso were eliminated by neighbours Mali in the first knockout round, having finished second in their group behind Angola but ahead of top-seeded Algeria. Velud was making a belated first appearance on the bench at the Cup of Nations. The 64-year-old Frenchman was shot in the arm in an attack on the Togo team bus by separatists in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda on the eve of the 2010 Cup of Nations finals. He…

Feb

2024

By JOEL OMOTTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Former Banyana Banyana captain scores major first at AFCON 2023

AFCON 2023

AT the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), there has been a distinct female voice in the commentary box. For those who don't know, it's the voice of Amanda Dlamini, the former South African football national team captain and the first woman to commentate a game at the men’s AFCON. In yet another major score for women at this tournament, Dlamini’s mastery of her craft, including deep analysis of the action and a good understating of the game, tactics and players, have shown that on all levels, women’s inclusion in the men’s game was not only long overdue but also…