AFCON - The African Mirror

Jan

23

2024

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

27

2024

By The African Mirror

Ghana won Afcon four times, but the last time was 40 years ago. What went wrong with its football team?

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the most important football tournament in Africa. It has been contested by the male national teams of countries on the continent since 1957. Egypt is the most successful country in the tournament’s history, with seven wins, the most recent in 2010. Previously, Ghana was the dominant force with four wins. In spite of producing world class players, the country has not won the tournament in four decades. ERNEST YEBOAH ACHEAMPONG, Senior Lecturer, Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (HPERS), University of Education, Winneba As the 2023 edition plays out in Côte…

Jan

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Tunisia draw with Mali to pick up first Cup of Nations point

AFCON 2023

TUNISIA picked up their first point at the Africa Cup of Nations, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Mali in their second Group E game. Mali took an early lead through Lassine Sinayoko but Hamza Rafia equalised for Tunisia within 10 minutes at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. Tunisia had suffered an upset defeat in their opening game against Namibia while Mali beat South Africa the same evening and now top the standings with four points. Namibia and South Africa play their second group game in Korhogo on Sunday. Mali were ahead in the 10th minute as Sinayoko scored…

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 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

19

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Nsue hat-trick earns Equatorial Guinea handsome win over Guinea Bissau

AFCON 2023

VETERAN striker Emilio Nsue grabbed a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 in the Ivory Coast. Nsue opened the scoring in the 21st minute and added two more in the second half with Josete Miranda also on target in the Group A encounter. Guinea Bissau's goals -- their first in eight matches at the finals since 2017 -- came from an own goal from Esteban Orozco to level the score at 1-1 and a stoppage-time consolation effort from Ze Turbo. The win…

Jan

18

2024

By The African Mirror

DR Congo miss chances in 1-1 draw with neighbours Zambia

AFCON 2023

THE Democratic Republic of Congo squandered several chances in a 1-1 draw with Zambia, who took the lead thanks to quick-thinking before being swiftly pegged back in their Africa Cup of Nations Group F clash at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Wednesday. Kings Kangwa put Zambia ahead in the 23rd minute with an innovative effort but their neighbours equalised within four minutes through Yoane Wissa. The two countries were the last to make their bow at the tournament in the Ivory Coast after favourites Morocco had beaten Tanzania 3-0 in the opening group game earlier at the same stadium. Zambia’s…

Jan

17

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Two goals in six minutes earn Mali win over South Africa

AFCON 2023

MALI took advantage of an early let-off to beat South Africa 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday and take the lead in Group E. After Percy Tau missed a penalty for South Africa, Mali captain Hamari Traore broke the deadlock after an hour and Lassine Sinayoko added a second six minutes later to put the west Africans ahead of Namibia on goal difference in the standings. Traore was quickest to react and scored from centimetres out after South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had barely kept out a curling free kick from Sekou Koita at the Amadou Gon…

Jan

17

2024

By The African Mirror

Late penalty seals Burkina Faso win over Mauritania

AFCON 2023

BERTRAND Traore scored a stoppage time penalty as Burkina Faso claimed a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Tuesday, writing a piece of history in the process. It is the first ever win for the Burkinabe in their opening match of the African showpiece finals and came at the 13th attempt, handed to them when Aston Villa midfielder Traore stroked home his spot-kick after a foul by Mauritania captain Mohamed El Abd on Issa Kabore. Burkina Faso dominated possession, but it was Mauritania who…