SPORT - The African Mirror

Jan

21

2024

Tiny Cape Verde dreaming of more Cup of Nations heroics

AFCON 2023

CAPE Verde Island players said they were living a dream at the Africa Cup of Nations finals after booking their place in the knockout stage by beating Mozambique on Friday, but they added that they were not to be regarded as a Cinderella team. Cape Verde is the smallest of the 24 countries at the tournament in Ivory Coast but the first to ensure progress to the last 16 as they moved into an unassailable lead in Group B of the tournament in the Ivory Coast. "It is the stuff of dreams, and you have to dream, but it’s something…

Jan

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Tanzania coach suspended at Cup of Nations for insulting opponents

AFCON 2023

TANZANIA coach Adel Amrouche has been suspended at the Africa Cup of Nations finals for making insulting remarks about Morocco, who beat the east African side 3-0 in their opening game at the tournament. The Tanzania Football Federation said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee had suspended Amrouche for eight matches following a complaint submitted by Morocco. CAF have yet to make an announcement. "In another step, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has suspended coach Amrouche. As a result of that decision, Hemed Morocco has been appointed acting coach and he will be assisted by Juma Mgunda," TFF…

Jan

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Senegal coach admitted to hospital following Cup of Nations win against Cameroon

AFCON 2023

SENEGAL coach Aliou Cisse was expected to remain in hospital in Yamoussoukro for a second night after he was taken in on Friday following his team's 3-1 victory over Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, officials said. He was admitted hours after Senegal won their second game at the tournament in Ivory Coast, a result that secured them a place in the next round and was due to remain to undergo further tests. "It's true that yesterday he had a little stomach ache, but it's much better," former teammate El Hadji Diouf told reporters at Senegal training on Saturday,…

Jan

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Angola win five-goal affair at Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

TWO goals from Gelson Dala edged Angola closer to a place in the next stage of the Africa Cup of Nations finals as they beat Mauritania 3-2 on Saturday to go top of the Group D standings in a match full of high quality goals. Winger Gilberto netted the other for the winners while Amar Sidi Bouna and Aboubakary Koita scored fine individual efforts for Mauritania, who lost a second game at the tournament in Ivory Coast and sit bottom of the standings. Angola are ahead of Burkina Faso on goals scored with top seeds Algeria third in the group…

Jan

20

2024

By The African Mirror

Guinea beat Gambia to take giant step towards last 16 of Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

AGUIBOU Camara scored a second-half winner to give Guinea a 1-0 victory over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Friday and help them to take a giant step towards a place in the last 16 of the tournament in the Ivory Coast. Camara slid home a pass from Morgan Guilavogui to hand Guinea a deserved triumph after they dominated the Group C clash at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium. Guinea has four points in second place in the standings behind holders Senegal, who top the table with six after they beat Cameroon 3-1 earlier in the day.…

Jan

20

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Examinations on Salah’s injury not complete, says Egypt doctor

AFCON 2023

THE extent of Mohamed Salah’s hamstring injury and his future participation at the Africa Cup of Nations finals remained uncertain after Egypt said examinations had not yet been completed. Salah pulled up with a hamstring strain before halftime in Thursday’s Group B game against Ghana in Abidjan and was due to have a scan on the injury. Still, Egypt doctor Mohamed Abu El-Ela said they had not completed all their investigations. “The results of the medical examinations he underwent were not completed today and thus the decision on his participation was postponed,” he said. He said Salah had initially wanted…

Jan

20

2024

By The African Mirror

Champions Senegal steam into last 16 with 3-1 win over Cameroon

AFCON 2023

ISMAILA Sarr scored one goal and laid on another as defending champions Senegal beat Cameroon 3-1 and booked their place in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving their opponents in some peril. Sarr opened the scoring in the first half of the Group C clash in Yamoussoukro after a mistake by Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was playing his first game of the tournament after a late arrival in the Ivory Coast. Habib Diallo added the second goal from Sarr’s cross before Jean-Charles Castelletto scored a late consolation for Cameroon. Sadio Mane completed the…

Jan

20

2024

By JOEL OMOTTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Foreign-born players fueling title glory for teams at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

TWENTY-FOUR nations, divided into six groups, are competing at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast but the most striking aspect is the large number of players born outside of Africa. The 2023 tournament has several global superstars setting it alight and of the 630 selected for the various nations, 200 were not born on the continent. South Africa, Namibia and Egypt are the only nations without a player born out of Africa. After the 2019 tournament in Egypt, many were surprised to see the streets of Paris full of celebrations after Algeria won the tournament…

Jan

20

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Cape Verde Islands beat Mozambique to win Cup of Nations group

AFCON 2023

THE Cape Verde Islands, the smallest country competing at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, became the first to book their place in the next stage of the competition as they beat Mozambique 3-0 on Friday. It was their second victory in Group B after a giant-killing 2-1 triumph over Ghana on Sunday and guarantees them top place and a spot in the last-16. Former Manchester United forward Bebe fired home a free kick from some 35 metres out in the 32nd minute with captain Ryan Mendes scoring their second soon after the break at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. Another…

Jan

19

2024

By The African Mirror

Egypt face anxious wait over Salah injury after Ghana draw

AFCON 2023

MOHAMMED Kudus scored a brace of goals but Ghana twice let a lead slip to draw 2-2 with Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Abidjan on Thursday, with the latter facing an anxious wait over an injury concern for Mohamed Salah. Salah limped out of the game just before halftime with what appeared a muscle injury as he grabbed the back of his leg following a bursting run. It will have set off alarm bells at Liverpool, too. Both teams still have work to do to qualify for the knockout rounds. Record seven-time winners Egypt,…