Egypt went into their first Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) match with high hopes, boasting a magnificent asset in the shape of iconic Liverpool striker Mo Salah. But Nigeria dashed their hopes: A clinical Kelechi Iheanacho strike put them ahead 30 minutes in and they never looked back.

Egypt just about edged Nigeria on possession until half an hour into the match – when a great opportunistic Iheanacho goal put Nigeria ahead. They never looked back after that, making repeated fast-paced runs and running Egypt scared.

The great star on the pitch this evening, Mo Salah, barely got a chance as Nigeria took control of the game upon Iheanacho’s goal and kept it.

Nigeria look like strong contenders to take the trophy after that performance – but both sides could go far. Nigeria have historically been one of the best teams in African footbnall – in 1994 they came fifth in the FIFA rankings, the highest position ever reached by an African team. They have won CAN three times – most recently in 2013 – and came third at the last tournament in 2019.

Egypt have won CAN a record seven times, most recently in 2010. They were widely favoured to take the trophy in 2019 due to Salah’s presence – but crashed out in the last 16 in a 1-0 defeat to South Africa.

Source: France 24

The President of Liberia, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah has expressed great excitement at the news of the victory of Football legend Samuel Eto’o in the vote for President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).

Eto’o won against Seidou Mbombo Njoya, who serves as Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Liberian Leader, a football great himself who is the only African to have won the World Footballer of the Year (Ballon D’Or), has extended heartfelt congratulations to a protégé, who attained exceptional stature playing with renowned international clubs, including Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea.

The Liberian President expressed hope that Eto’o’s vast knowledge of the game will be used to effect change in the way football is run in Cameroon and Africa as a whole.

The Liberian Chief Executive and Chief Patron of Sports said ” I am pleased that Eto’o has ascended to the helm of Cameroon Football, I believe that he will bring positive transformation to the game in that country which will have a rippling effect throughout the global game. Cameroon Football is now in good hands”.

President Weah urged Eto’o to work cooperatively with the world football Governing body, the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to football in Cameroon.

Cameroon is due to host the next edition of the African Cup of Nations, which it has won a record five times. Eto’o first began playing for his country in his teens, winning several international titles, including the 2000 Olympics games.

President Weah has said he believes the 40-year-old star can bring the needed change that football in Cameroon and Africa deserve. The Liberian Leader also flirted with the possibility of running the Liberian FA before aspiring to be president.

“Footballers who have reached the peak of their careers have a unique advantage to impact much-needed reforms at the administrative level”, President Weah said.

Source:  Govt of Liberia

A former Technical Director of the Confederation of African Football, Abdel Moneim Shatta has cast doubt over the hosting of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Afcon is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon and is expected to take place from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 but Caf announced on January 15, 2020, that due to unfavourable climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would take place from January 9 to February 6, 2021.

However, on June 30, 2020, Caf moved the tournament for the second time, then to January 2022 following the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.

However, according to Shatta, the tournament is now facing uncertainty and could be cancelled because the host country is facing problems with finishing the preparations.

“The committees that went to Cameroon saw that the time was not enough to finish the preparations for the African Nations Cup, but Fifa is taking over this issue and opened an office there to run things,” Shatta told Al Hayah TV.

“Cameroon when it requested to host the Nations Cup, the number of participants in the tournament was 16 teams, not 24, and the opening stadium in Cameroon so far there is a great deal of confusion around it.

“If the tournament is not held on time, no country is able to host the tournament even if it is postponed for 3 or 4 months, and if it is not held on time, it will be cancelled.

“Things in the African Union are not acceptable to me, and no one gives us consideration here in the continent of Africa, and it was easy for the President of the International Football Association to find solutions to the conflict between the date of the Cup of Nations and the Club World Cup, there’s huge disrespect to the tournament and Africa playing the two tournaments at the same time’.”

Shatta also revealed the possibility of the tournament being moved to Qatar if Cameroon fails to beat the deadline.

“Caf is led by Fifa now since the appearance of Fatma Samoura on the scene, everything is possible, and it’s up to Fifa to approve that the Afcon be held outside the continent.”

With the Afcon expanded from 16 to 24 teams, at least six venues are expected to be used across five Cameroonian cities.

The six stadiums selected to host matches are the Olembe Stadium and Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the capital Yaounde, the Japoma Stadium in Douala, the Limbe Stadium in Limbe, the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam and the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.

The opening match of the tournament between Cameroon and Burkina Faso and the final are set to take place at the newly built 60,000 seater Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

Source: Goal.com

The Espanyol stopper explains what gave his country the trophy-winning edge over their rivals in continental competition. Thomas Nkono believes Nigeria suffered for their relative lack of mental strength in epic Cameroon encounters

While at international level Nigeria has a strong head-to-head record against their neighbouring rivals, things are skewed in the favour of the five-time African champions when meetings at the continental showpiece are taken into account.

Cameroon have memorably pipped Nigeria to AFCON success on three different occasions at the Final stage, boasting wins in 1984, 1988 and 2000, the latter of which came at the National Stadium in Surulere.

N’Kono was a part of the 80s playing squads, and was also in Pierre Lechantre’s technical staff for the penalty shoot-out triumph in Lagos. He believes it was the Lions’ greater psychological fortitude that gave them the edge in crunch meetings with Nigeria.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play against Nigeria,” the Espanyol legend said. “We won great Finals against great players in the African Cup, playing against Nigeria. It’s true that it was many years ago.

“I was also fortunate to accompany the new generation of players who won the African Cup in Nigeria (in 2000). Obviously, these can be tense moments. We’re talking about a neighbouring country that also wants to win. It’s like a derby for us, and you know the atmosphere is tremendous.

“But it’s all about mentality. Each player has to use the best of their skills to win the match. Fortunately for us, we had very strong players in terms of their mindset, their mentality. Because these things can get to your head, they can really affect your mind. Mental preparation is very important, and if you are well prepared in that respect you can play against anyone and beat them anywhere in the world.”

Organisation – there is no other way

Since his retirement in the late 1990s. N’Kono has been a goalkeeping coach at Espanyol, the club for whom he first played in Europe and with whom he amassed close to 300 La Liga appearances.

His time in Spain has taken in football’s last great evolution, as the Iberian nation has been at the forefront of tactical development in Europe and the world. La Roja won three straight international tournaments between 2008 and 2012, with their possession-based style greatly influencing the direction of football in the last two decades.

Amidst all of this, African football has found itself largely left behind internationally. Since Cameroon thrilled and danced their way to the quarter final at the 1990 World Cup, there has been no quantum leap forward for the continent, despite Senegal and Ghana reaching the same stage in 2002 and 2010 respectively.

Having been in a unique position to witness it all, the 65-year-old believes there is one hurdle the continent must overcome in order to remain relevant at the highest level of football.

“I think there is one very important aspect that we have to highlight, and that is organisation,” N’Kono said. “Until Africa is able to organise football better, it’s going to be difficult.

“In my opinion, there are certain shortcomings in terms of organisation, particularly travel, the provision of hotel accommodation. Young players don’t benefit from the same organisation in Africa as they do when they come to Europe, and that is a very important handicap in my opinion.

“Then we can also question and consider the preparation for each match in training. If Africa wants to develop further and try to win, or get close to winning a title, very similar to what Cameroon did in the team I played in, then we really need that organisation, there is no other option. Because otherwise Africa will always be behind.”

Greater appreciation for goalkeepers

There has been a groundswell of criticism against the shortlist for the FIFA Ballon D’Or following the exclusion of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The Senegal international was instrumental to the Blues’ run to Champions League glory in 2020/21, keeping a record number of clean sheets (nine) to usher Thomas Tuchel’s side to glory.

His exclusion follows a general theme of underappreciation around goalkeepers in football, and has led to calls for a separate award for the net-minders going forward.

It is an opinion to which N’Kono is sympathetic. “Unfortunately, it’s always been the case that goalkeepers have largely been ignored,” he said. “But I think people are becoming more and more aware of the importance of goalkeepers and their role.

“We have to remember that, in my opinion, the most demanding position on the pitch today is that of a goalkeeper. I’m sure that organisations like FIFA that arrange these kinds of awards will probably create one to compensate goalkeepers and recognise their performance, to acknowledge the best goalkeeper.

“We always end up just recognising strikers, the ones who score goals. What about the ones who prevent goals being scored, which is perhaps more important in being able to win a match?”

N’Kono’s Espanyol will, this weekend, come up against city rivals Barcelona in La Liga action at Camp Nou.

Source: Pulse.ng

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement following shock reports suggesting that the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations could be cancelled or postponed.

It was reported earlier this week that there was a chance that the upcoming AFCON was at risk of cancellation or postponement due to reported in-fighting between those responsible for organising the tournament.

Journalist Eduardo Hagn had claimed that this was due to the president of Cameroon’s football governing body, FECAFOOT, being “in his role illegally”.

The tournament is scheduled to take place between 9 January and 6 February next year after it was initially set to be hosted in Cameroon in June and July last year. It was, however, moved due to unfortunate weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a statement released on Monday, though, the CAF Executive Committee revealed that the upcoming tournament has been approved, with the official calendar soon to be distributed.

The statement, as per CAF’s website, read: “The Executive Committee received a comprehensive report from the CAF Organising Committee delegation led by Vice President Augustin Senghor and General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba who recently visited Cameroon.

“The Executive Committee noted the report and the progress made so far. The EXCO emphasised the need to make follow-ups with the Local Organising Committee on the areas that still need some urgent attention ahead of the kick-off on 9 January 2022.

“On the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations and Covid19 situation and preparations for supporters, the Executive Committee raised some sanitary matters that will be part of on-going discussions between CAF and Cameroon government.

“The Executive Committee also ratified the signing of the Agreement for the Organising Association Agreement (OAA) of the AFCON with the host nation, Cameroon last weekend.”

On the 2021/22 CAF calendar, the statement concluded: “The Executive Committee approved the 2021/22 competitions calendar. The calendar will be distributed in due course.”

Source: SoccerLaduna

Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal hope history does not repeat itself when they host unfancied Togo on Wednesday as the group phase of 2022 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off.

The last time the Senegalese Teranga Lions attempted to make successive appearances at the global football showcase they were upstaged as the Togolese Sparrowhawks went to the 2006 tournament instead.

Senegal had to wait until 2018 to grace the World Cup stage again and suffered a heart-breaking first-round exit, losing out to Japan on fair-play points.

The west African nation begin Group H, which also includes Congo Brazzaville and Namibia, as hot favourites to win the six-round mini-league and secure a place in the final qualifying round.

It is easy to see why as Mane is one of many stars coach Aliou Cisse can call on for the clash with Togo in Thies, a city 70 kilometres (44 miles) east of the capital, Dakar.

The Senegal ‘spine’ consists of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Liverpool forward Mane.

But France-born Claude le Roy, known as the ‘godfather’ of African coaches having spent four decades working in the continent, had a warning for the star-stacked squad.

“Senegal are clear favourites to win the group, but favourites were created to be beaten,” the former Togo coach told reporters. “Across six rounds, you can have shocks.”

Le Roy was replaced this year by Paulo Duarte, one of three Portuguese coaches handling teams in the group phase, who previously guided Burkina Faso twice and Gabon.

– Algeria record –

Senegal are among 10 top seeds who have home advantage against bottom seeds in the opening matchday, which spans three days, with the second round starting on Sunday and continuing through Tuesday.

Algeria, who created an African record 27-match unbeaten run with a friendly win in Tunisia two months ago, host Djibouti in a match between nations 152 places apart in the world rankings.

While many observers fear the Riyad Mahrez-captained African champions could bury the minnows under a goal avalanche in Group A, France-born Djibouti coach Julien Mette is upbeat.

“I believed before the draw there was a good chance we would get Algeria. It is a beautiful story for us, the ultimate minnows, to face the champions of Africa,” he says.

Seeking a fourth straight World Cup appearance, Nigeria will look to Premier League forwards Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City and Alex Iwobi of Everton for Group C goals against Liberia in Lagos.

This section is completed by the Central African Republic and Cape Verde, who get the group phase under way on Wednesday afternoon.

Cameroon were the unluckiest top seeds, being paired with equally powerful Ivory Coast in Group D, which is completed by modest southern Africa sides Mozambique and Malawi.

But Cameroon coach Antonio ‘Toni’ Conceicao is fully focused on Malawi, who they face in Yaounde on Friday, saying the visitors are “coming to cause us problems”.

“Malawi are physically strong and will fight from the first whistle to the last,” said the Portuguese. “Nowadays, there are no easy matches in Africa.

“We have to be creative, find space in what will probably be a crowded Malawi half of the pitch, and shoot at goal whenever the possibility arises.”

Source: AFP