FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jan

25

2024

Namibia qualify for Cup of Nations last-16 for first time

AFCON 2023

NAMIBIA qualified for the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time as they held Mali to a 0-0 draw in their last group game on Wednesday. Namibia qualified as one of the four best third-placed finishers after they ended their Group E campaign with four points. Mali won the group with five points and South Africa were second also with four, finishing above Namibia after beating them 4-0 on Sunday. Tunisia were eliminated after they drew 0-0 with South Africa in the other Group E game. Group winners Mali advance to a last-16 meeting with…

Jan

24

2024

By The African Mirror

Mauritania claim historic win to dump Algeria out of Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

MAURITANIA served up another shock result at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to dump 2019 winners Algeria out of the tournament with a 1-0 victory and seal a historic place in the last-16 at the Stade de la Paix. Mauritania had never led in any of their previous eight matches at the continental finals, let alone won a game, but a first-half goal from Yali Dellahi was enough to send Algeria packing in a second successive embarrassing early exit for coach Djamel Belmadi’s side after a similar failure in 2021. Angola took top spot in Group D with…

Jan

24

2024

By The African Mirror

Cameroon rally to advance to last-16 after Cup of Nations classic

AFCON 2023

CAMEROON fought back with two goals in the closing stages to edge Gambia 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and advance from Group C after being minutes from elimination. Defender Christopher Wooh netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner to put the Indomitable Lions second in the group behind Senegal. They finished ahead of Guinea on goals scored while Gambia were eliminated after a third successive loss. Cameroon had to claw their way back in a game of relentless attack and end-to-end action to keep alive their hopes after falling 2-1 behind with only five minutes…

Jan

24

2024

By ROHITH NAIR

Japan coach Moriyasu appalled by racist abuse directed at keeper Suzuki

FOOTBALL

JAPAN coach Hajime Moriyasu said he was "ashamed and appalled" to see his goalkeeper Zion Suzuki subjected to racial abuse on social media after they lost their second Asian Cup group game against Iraq last week. Iraq claimed their first victory over Japan in 42 years with a 2-1 upset after Suzuki's error allowed Aymen Hussein to score the opener. The 21-year-old, who has a Ghanaian-American father and Japanese mother, said he welcomed criticism of his performances but wanted people to stop commenting on his race. "For our precious player Suzuki, I feel very ashamed and appalled that he was racially discriminated…

Jan

24

2024

By The African Mirror

Gambia coach Saintfiet quits after Cup of Nations exit

AFCON 2023

GAMBIA coach Tom Saintfiet quit minutes after his side’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations despite a sterling effort to try and secure a place in the last-16 at the expense of five-time winners Cameroon. The 50-year-old Belgian said his contract was running out in August but he would be leaving immediately. The Gambia was his 10th job as a national team coach and by far his most successful. He qualified the small West African country for their first Cup of Nations in Cameroon two years ago and then took them on a giant-killing run to the quarter-finals. They…

Jan

24

2024

By The African Mirror

Senegal beat Guinea 2-0 as both advance to last-16

AFCON 2023

ABDOULAYE Seck and Iliman Ndiaye scored second-half goals as defending champions Senegal beat Guinea 2-0 in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday to make it three wins from three in Africa Cup of Nations Group C, as both teams advanced to the last-16. In contrast to what we have seen so far in the Ivory Coast, it was a game of few clear-cut chances with neither side overly committed to attack. It was no surprise when Seck's opener came from a set-piece before Ndiaye provided a neat finish. Senegal top the pool with nine points, followed by Cameroon with four as they edged…

Jan

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Cape Verde and Egypt seal last-16 places at Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

CAPE Verde's Bryan Teixeira scored a 99th-minute equaliser as they held record seven-time champions Egypt to a 2-2 Group B draw at the Africa Cup of Nations, with both sides reaching the last-16 after a pulsating clash. Cape Verde had already been confirmed as group winners before a ball was kicked and took the lead against the run of play through striker Benchimol at the end of the first half. Egypt hit back five minutes into the second period when Trezeguet produced a neat finish from a tight angle before Mostafa Mohamed thought he had won the game in added…

Jan

23

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Mozambique rally late to send Ghana to brink of Cup of Nations exit

AFCON 2023

MOZAMBIQUE scored two goals in the stoppage time to hold Ghana to a 2-2 draw in their Group B clash at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, a result that likely spells the end of the tournament for the much-fancied West Africans. Two penalties from Jordan Ayew had Ghana comfortably ahead and looking well-placed to finish second in the group behind the Cape Verde Islands, but a late rally handed Mozambique a share of the spoils. It was not enough for Mozambique, who finished bottom of the group, but only behind Ghana on goal difference. Two points from three…

Jan

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria edge Guinea-Bissau 1-0 to seal last-16 place

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA booked their passage into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a first-half own goal from Guinea-Bissau's Opa Sangante handed them a 1-0 victory, which was enough to earn them second place in Group A. Moses Simon sent in a low cross from the left looking for Victor Osimhen but as Sangante attempted to clear ahead of the striker he could only steer the ball into the roof of his own net after 36 minutes. Nigeria finishes on seven points from three games, behind surprise package Equatorial Guinea on goal difference. Hosts Ivory Coast face an…

Jan

22

2024

By The African Mirror

South Africa secure emphatic win over neighbours Namibia at Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

SOUTH Africa veteran Themba Zwane scored twice as they comfortably overcame neighbours Namibia 4-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash to boost their chances of progressing to the last-16. Zwane’s double at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium came after Percy Tau converted a 14th-minute penalty, having fired one wide in their first match against Mali last week, while substitute Thapelo Maseko netted the fourth. The 34-year-old Zwane scored twice in the space of 15 minutes to take a first-half lead from which Namibia never recovered. South Africa, whose victory margin was the biggest of the tournament in…