FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jan

12

2024

Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears

AFCON 2023

FOOTBALL enthusiasts from across the continent are gearing up for an electrifying kickoff as the countdown to AFCON 2023, one of Africa's most fiercely competitive football tournaments, nears its end. Set in Cote d'Ivoire for the first time since 1984, the 34th edition of the action-packed tournament spans from Saturday, January 13 to February 11. This 24-team showdown unites the continent's football elites, stars like Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah from English Premier League club Liverpool and Super Eagles' Victor Osimhen, recently honored as the best African male footballer by CAF. The clash of these titans promises enthralling entertainment for millions…

Jan

13

2024

By The African Mirror

Sadiq latest Nigeria injury casualty ahead of AFCON

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA has been dealt a further injury blow ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals after striker Umar Sadiq was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee problem and replaced by Paul Onuachu, officials confirmed on Friday. Nigeria have already lost forward Victor Boniface and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi due to injury, while striker Kelechi Iheanacho has had a muscle problem and is expected to arrive in the Ivory Coast on Saturday. Real Sociedad striker Sadiq had been a doubt for some time with his knee injury but was officially ruled out two days before Nigeria opens their tournament against Equatorial Guinea…

Jan

13

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Hosts Ivory Coast face forward problems ahead of Cup of Nations opener

AFCON 2023

HOSTS Ivory Coast will have to do without striker Sebastian Haller in the Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea Bissau as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, coach Jean-Louis Gasset said. The availability of the 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker for their second game in Group A against Nigeria next week was also up in the air, the coach added. There were also fitness concerns for forward Nicolas Pepe, who was recalled to the squad after being dropped last year but is struggling with a knee injury, Gasset said. "Pepe played 30 minutes in last Saturday’s friendly (a…

Jan

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Gambia team in emergency landing scare on way to Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

GAMBIA coach Tom Saintfiet said he and his players feared for their lives after the plane taking them to the Africa Cup of Nations finals made an emergency landing, delaying their arrival at the tournament in the Ivory Coast. Gambia’s squad set off from Banjul on Wednesday on a short trip to Yamoussoukro, where they will play their opening two group games, but minutes after take-off they turned around because of a lack of oxygen inside the plane, he said. “Luckily for us, the pilot recognised the problem and after nine minutes in the air turned around to land again.…

Jan

12

2024

By HATEM MAHER

Attack-minded Egypt enter AFCON with renewed confidence

AFCON 2023

EGYPT hope a new attacking approach will bear fruit as they launch a fresh bid to win a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title in the Ivory Coast, putting behind them the disappointment of two recent near misses. They kick off their campaign against Mozambique in Abidjan on Sunday, having had to settle for silver medals in 2017 and 2021, with a shock round of 16 loss to South Africa on home soil in 2019. Both recent final appearances were achieved via stout defensive displays as Argentine coach Hector Cuper and Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz made this the foundation…

Jan

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Africa Cup of Nations winners

AFCON 2023

A list of the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (host countries in parentheses) 1957 – Egypt (Sudan) 1959 – Egypt (Egypt) 1962 – Ethiopia (Ethiopia) 1963 – Ghana (Ghana) 1965 – Ghana (Tunisia) 1968 – Congo-Kinshasa (Ethiopia) 1970 – Sudan (Sudan) 1972 – Congo (Cameroon) 1974 – Zaire (Egypt) 1976 – Morocco (Ethiopia) 1978 – Ghana (Ghana) 1980 – Nigeria (Nigeria) 1982 – Ghana (Libya) 1984 – Cameroon (Ivory Coast) 1986 – Egypt (Egypt) 1988 – Cameroon (Morocco) 1990 – Algeria (Algeria) 1992 – Ivory Coast (Senegal) 1994 – Nigeria (Tunisia) 1996 – South Africa (South Africa) 1998…

Jan

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Africa Cup of Nations records

AFCON 2023

FACTBOX on Africa Cup of Nations records ahead of Saturday’s kick off of the 34th edition of the continental championship first played in 1957. MOST TITLES WON7- Egypt: 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010 MOST APPEARANCES IN A FINAL10 – Egypt: 1957, 1959, 1962, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2021 MOST APPEARANCES AT THE FINALS TOURNAMENT26 – Egypt: 1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 MOST GAMES PLAYED AT THE FINALS TOURNAMENT107 – Egypt MOST WINS AT THE FINALS…

Jan

10

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria call-up Moffi as replacement for Boniface is ruled out

AFCON 2023

TEREM Moffi from French club Nice will take the place of injured forward Victor Boniface in Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, the country’s football federation said. The 24-year-old Moffi, who has scored six goals in Ligue 2 this season, was a surprise omission when Nigeria named their squad last month after he had featured in their two previous outings in November. Boniface, 23, was ruled out on Monday with a groin injury suffered at the Nigerian training camp in Abu Dhabi. Boniface is Bundesliga leades Bayer Leverkusen's top scorer, netting 10 goals in 16 league games…

Jan

10

2024

By The African Mirror

Double change for Senegal ahead of Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

AFRICA Cup of Nations holders Senegal have been forced into two squad chances just days before they begin the defence of their title with striker Boulaye Dia and back-up goalkeeper Seny Dieng ruled out of the tournament in the Ivory Coast. The Senegalese federation said on Tuesday they would be replaced by Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis, both from struggling French club Lorient. Dia's participation has been in doubt since he injured his knee playing for Salernitana against AC Milan in Serie A on Dec. 22 but had been given time to try and recover. Middlesborough goalkeeper Dieng also travelled…

Jan

10

2024

By The African Mirror

Guinea hope Guirassy injury no blow to Cup of Nations campaign

AFCON 2023

GUINEA is hoping leading striker Serhou Guirassy will be fit to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations finals despite limping off early in a friendly international against Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates. Coach Kaba Diawara said the VfB Stuttgart striker, who has netted 17 times in the Bundesliga this season and sits only behind Harry Kane in the German league’s scoring charts, would undergo treatment on Tuesday. But he thought the apparent knee injury was not too bad. "He came off to avoid any risks. We don't know how serious it is now, but it doesn't look too…