quarter-finals - The African Mirror

Apr

11

2024

Champions League host nations tighten security after Islamic State threats

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FRANCE and Spain will step up security ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals in Madrid and Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, top officials said, as Islamic State threatened drone attacks on Europe's top club soccer tournament. British police said they were aware of reports of threats and had a robust policing plan in place ahead of Arsenal's match against Bayern Munich in London on Tuesday night. The threats against some of the world's most-watched soccer matches underline the resurgence of Islamic State after several deadly attacks this year, including in Iran and Moscow. They also point to the complex geopolitical backdrop to…

Jan

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Ivory Coast send defending champions Senegal out of Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

MOUSSA Niakhate missed his penalty in the shoot-out as holders Senegal tumbled out of the Africa Cup of Nations after a drama-filled 5-4 loss to hosts Ivory Coast following a 1-1 draw at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in their last-16 clash. Senegal was quick out of the blocks and took the lead inside four minutes as Sadio Mane's cross from the left was chested down by Habib Diallo, whose thunderous shot from 10 yards settled in the top corner of the net. Mane was fortunate not to get a red card shortly after that following a poor challenge, but…

Jan

29

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Last gasp win for Guinea sees them into Cup of Nations quarter-finals

AFCON 2023

GUINEA scored with the last kick of the game to end the giant-killing run of Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations and book themselves a slot in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium. Mohamed Bayo’s superb glancing header in the eighth minute of stoppage time in the last-16 clash proved the difference after Equatorial Guinea, down to 10 men in the second half, missed a penalty. Guinea ended a long sequence of losing in the knockout stage of the Cup of Nations but took their time, and rode their luck, to claim victory.…

Jan

28

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Lookman double puts Nigeria into Cup of Nations quarter-finals

AFCON 2023

ADEMOLA Lookman’s brace ensured Nigeria a place in next weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they beat long-standing foes Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16. Lookman’s 36th-minute goal at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium opened the scoring and he contributed a second on the stroke of full-time as Nigeria largely outplayed Cameroon. They will face Angola in the last eight in Abidjan next Friday after the Angolans beat Namibia 3-0 in Bouake earlier on Saturday in the first of the knockout round games. While Lookman’s double made him a key figure in the win, Nigeria’s African Footballer of the Year…

Jan

28

2024

By The African Mirror

Angola breeze into Cup of Nations quarters with 3-0 Namibia win

AFCON 2023

ANGOLA'S Gelson Dala scored twice as they reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 last-16 victory over neighbours Namibia, who were left to rue four mad first half minutes. Angola, who claimed their biggest ever Cup of Nations finals win, had an early setback when goalkeeper Neblu received a red card and they were under pressure from a Namibia side that looked the most likely to find the net. But the game turned when Gelson opened the scoring after 38 minutes, Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo received a red card shortly afterwards and the Angola forward completed…