Ivory Coast - The African Mirror

Jan

2024

Guinea team call on fans to tone down celebrations

THE Guinean Football Federation and national team have asked fans to tone down their celebrations after six people were killed following a 1-0 win over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jubilant Guinea fans took to the streets around the country after a victory that put coach Kaba Diawara’s side on the brink of reaching the knockout rounds at the tournament in Ivory Coast. The Federation has released a video from the team asking supporters to celebrate responsibly as they prepare to face Senegal in their final pool match on Tuesday. "What is important is that our fans and…

Jan

2024

By DAPHNE PSALEDAKIS and HUMEYRA PAMUK

Top US diplomat Blinken to discuss security challenges during West Africa trip next week

NEWS

SECURITY challenges in West Africa following the coup in Niger last year will be among key topics U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss with African leaders next week during his trip to the region, the State Department's top Africa diplomat said. Blinken will travel to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola from January 21 through January 26, the department said in a statement, where he will discuss U.S.-African partnerships over trade, climate, infrastructure, health and other issues. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee told reporters the U.S. has a known record and hopes the…

Jan

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Nigeria upset hosts at Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA handed Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast a 1-0 defeat in their Group A clash at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Thursday with a second-half penalty settling the encounter. Captain William Troost-Ekong struck home the 55th-minute spot kick after a VAR review showed that young Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande had impeded Victor Osimhen. The result means Nigeria moved above the Ivorians in the standings by four points along with Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 earlier. The hosts have three. The clash of the West African heavyweights was a largely languid affair, dominated by physical battles and…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Cameroon, Guinea share spoils in Cup of Nations draw

AFCON 2023

CAMEROON came from behind to share the points with 10-man Guinea in a 1-1 stalemate in the first game for both teams at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast on Monday. Franck Magri equalised early in the second half after Guinea had taken a 10th-minute lead through Mohamed Bayo but then had captain Francois Kamano sent off. The draw at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in the Ivorian capital followed the opening Group C game where holders Senegal easily disposed of Gambia 3-0. Cameroon were without Andre Onana in goal but he did arrive ahead of the…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Senegal begin title defence in style with 3-0 win over 10-man Gambia

AFCON 2023

SENEGAL began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia helped by Lamine Camara's double in Group C on Monday, bringing an end to a sequence of surprise results at the tournament in the Ivory Coast. After a shock-filled Sunday where the minnows had the upper hand over heavyweight opponents, Senegal restored faith in the form book as Pape Gueye scored early and Camara added two more to ensure victory in the opening Group C encounter. Gueye put Senegal ahead in the fourth minute at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, while 20-year-old Camara, voted…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Cameroon captain to stay on at Cup of Nations after ‘minor injury’

AFCON 2023

CAMEROON captain Vincent Aboubakar was hurt in training but will stay with the squad at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast in the hope that he recovers, officials said. Aboubakar underwent scans on Saturday on a left thigh injury suffered in training on Friday, but initial concerns that he might be forced out of the tournament were played down after the examination. "It is a minor injury not affecting the player's participation in the competition. As a result, he continues his preparation under the supervision of the medical team, indicating a return very soon to the group,”…

Jan

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

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

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

2024

By The African Mirror

Gambia keep faith with giant-killers of two years ago

AFCON 2023

GAMBIA will have a consistent look about them for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast, selecting 18 players from the squad that provided a giant-killing performance at the last tournament in Cameroon two years ago. Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet only planned to name his squad on Tuesday, but the final 27-man selection had to be submitted to the Confederation of African Football last Wednesday and they made it public on Sunday. It sees a return for the bulk of the squad that reached the quarter-final on their debut appearance at the last finals, beating Tunisia…