South Africa stunned Egypt and Nigeria delivered another upset against Cameroon in a suspenseful second day of the Cup’s round of 16.

Thembinkosi Lorch scored five minutes from time to hand South Africa an upset 1-0 win and knock holders Egypt out of the Africa Cup of Nations as the shock results at the competition continued on Saturday.

South Africa, who had lost two of their three group games yet crept into the knockout stages, showed great improvement and were the more enterprising team, leaving 70,000 partisan fans stunned at the Cairo International Stadium.

Lorch finished off a sweeping counter-attack as South Africa, who created much the better chances, finally got an effort on target.

They will now meet Nigeria, who earlier on Saturday eliminated holders Cameroon, in Wednesday’s quarter-final.

Nigeria heads to quarter-finals with 3-2 win against Cameroon

The earlier match on Saturday also marked a major upset. Odion Ighalo scored twice and teed up Alex Iwobi’s winning goal as Nigeria eliminated defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon after a thrilling 3-2 victory in Alexandria on Saturday.

China-based forward Ighalo bundled home a scrappy opener but Clarence Seedorf’s Cameroon hit back through Stephane Bahoken and Clinton Njie with two quick-fire goals before half-time.

Nigeria drew level as Ighalo volleyed in his second just past the hour and he then turned provider to play in Iwobi to steer home three minutes later and set up the prospect of a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with hosts and favourites Egypt.

Seedorf’s penchant for change has seen the former Dutch star heavily rotate his Cameroon side in Egypt, with Karl Toko Ekambi dropping to the bench here and 2017 player of the tournament Christian Bassogog recalled along with Clinton Njie in a bid to breathe life into a faltering attack.

Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr paid the price for resting key players in the shock 2-0 loss to Madagascar, with Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo and Alex Iwobi all returning to the starting line-up.

The Super Eagles eliminated Cameroon in the first knockout round the last time they were reigning champions in 2004, and their bid to repeat history looked on when Ighalo nudged Nigeria ahead with a scrappy opening goal after 19 minutes.

Moments after Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui powered a header over at the other end, Peter Etebo hooked a deep cross to the far post where it was driven back across goal by Omeruo and Ighalo stabbed home via a huge deflection that wrong-footed goalkeeper Andre Onana.

It was the first time Cameroon had conceded in Egypt, but after scoring just twice in three group games the Indomitable Lions matched that output in three frenzied minutes before half-time.

Bahoken pulled Cameroon level on 41 minutes when he ghosted in behind Omeruo to connect with a terrific whipped cross from Bassogog, and Njie soon fired them in front after outpacing Ola Aina to a flick-on, holding his nerve and balance to slip beyond Daniel Akpeyi.

Njie nearly got the better of Akpeyi early in the second half, the Nigeria ‘keeper superbly clawing the ball out from just inside his post after the Marseille winger’s cutback was deflected towards goal.

Rohr introduced Samuel Chukwueze with an hour gone but it was Ighalo, the top scorer in qualifying, who came to the rescue once more with a thumping finish after Ahmed Musa chested a cross into his path.

Ighalo joined Senegal star Sadio Mane on a tournament-leading three goals and he played a key role in Iwobi’s decisive strike on 66 minutes, threading the ball through to the Arsenal winger to side-foot past Onana.

Ngadeu-Ngadjui toed wide at a corner but Cameroon struggled to threaten Nigeria in the closing stages with Ighalo denied a hat-trick late on as Onana plunged low to his right to knock away the forward’s header.

(AFP)

His brilliance as a player was undisputed but Clarence Seedorf’s transition into management has come with a steep learning curve. Unable to replicate his on-pitch achievements in the dugout, Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations showdown with Nigeria represents a defining moment for the Cameroon boss.

With a haul of four Champions League wins, five national titles and a host of individuals awards, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder’s career was one to envy. But two successive failures with Milan and Chinese club Shenzhen, and a relegation with Deportivo La Coruna have clouded his reputation as a coach.

The former Dutch star, now 43, succeeded underperforming Belgian Hugo Broos last year and has won three, drawn four and lost once in competition since taking charge of the five-time African champions.

Part of his legacy is at stake in Egypt as coach of the title-holders, and Seedorf will be judged by what happens here with anything less than a quarter-finals place almost certainly set to trigger his post-tournament dismissal.

Since his appointment alongside former Ajax and Netherlands team-mate Patrick Kluivert, Seedorf has found it difficult to rouse the Indomitable Lions.

His record in qualifying was tarnished by an embarrassing 1-1 draw with the Comoros and a goalless stalemate against Malawi, while repeat failures to score against Ghana and Benin at these finals have again raised questions over his suitability as coach.

– Full of stories –

“As a midfielder it’s a joy to be coached by him,” Hearts midfielder Arnaud Djoum told AFP. “He’s very attached to details. He also has a lot of stories. When he wants to give an example he always tells one. We listen to him closely because we know about his career. He’s trying to bring his experience.”

But inconsistent displays and his minimalist style are fuelling plenty of debate in Cameroon. “He’s taking a while to enter the hearts of Cameroonians who would like to see more sparkle to their game,” said local journalist Leger Tientcheu.

“We have the impression that Cameroon doesn’t have a particular way of playing and that they play according to the opponents. The Seedorf touch remains to be seen.”

During the group stage in Ismailia, Seedorf’s chopping and changing merely added to the uncertainty as he heavily rotated his line-up while his trial and error approach in attack failed to yield results.

While Karl Toko Ekambi started all three games, he was partnered by a different team-mate each time with Christian Bassogog, Clinton Njie and Stephane Bahoken all given a chance. Of the four only Bahoken found the target, in a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau, which failed to quell the persisting doubts over the Cameroon frontline.

– Off-colour attack –

The numerous changes “don’t bother us. We always respect the coach’s choices. We have confidence in all the players. The most important thing is to stick together,” said Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has also found himself on the bench at times despite serving as team captain.

“We must improve in several areas, notably in attack. We must be more intelligent to create more chances. We’ve shown our potential. We haven’t yet conceded a goal, there are positive things going forward,” said Seedorf.

“Sometimes teams don’t score for weeks, forwards for months. We’re remaining confident,” he said after the Benin game.

Seedorf can draw on the 3-0 victory over the Comoros that clinched qualification as a reference point for performing under pressure, but Saturday’s encounter will be a much tougher obstacle for a coach still trying to find his way.

“Before that match everyone was worried we weren’t scoring, and we scored three goals. That’s football,” mused Seedorf. Against Nigeria he will have another opportunity to silence the critics.

Clarence Seedorf’s Cameroon scored just twice in three group games in Egypt.

Source: AFP

Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf wants forward Karl Toko Ekambi to rediscover his La Liga form when they meet Nigeria on Saturday in an Africa Cup of Nations last-16 blockbuster in Egypt.

Ekambi was the leading Villarreal scorer in the Spanish top flight last season with 10 goals, but has failed to find the net for the Indomitable Lions in three group matches.

Seedorf tried various attack combinations, all including Ekambi, but after a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau, the defending champions were held to 0-0 draws by Ghana and Benin.

Former Dutch star Seedorf deflected media criticism away from his misfiring forwards, saying: “Sometimes teams do not score for weeks and forwards do not score for months.”

“Karl and the other forwards have to improve a few details, be smarter and create more chances,” added the four-time UEFA Champions League winner.

“We pushed forward in each group game, we introduced attacking players off the bench, but we dare not try crazy stuff. We have to respect our opponents.”

Here, AFP Sport looks at the Saturday matches with the clash of Cameroon and Nigeria in Alexandria too close to call, while hosts Egypt are expected to defeat South Africa in Cairo.

Cameroon v Nigeria

In 2004, the last time Cameroon were Cup of Nations defending champions, they were eliminated in the first knockout round by Nigeria.

The great rivals have met six times in the biennial tournament, including three finals that Cameroon won, one after a penalty shootout.

Only once did more than one goal separate the sides and the latest episode at the 20,000-seat Alexandria Stadium looks evenly balanced.

After single-goal victories over Burundi and Guinea, Nigeria came a cropper against minnows Madagascar, losing 2-0 to finish second in the group and get tougher last-16 opponents.

Captain and former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel put a positive spin on the setback, saying: “It is better this (losing) happened now than in the knockout stages.”

Egypt v South Africa

Unlike the showdown between Cameroon and Nigeria, this match appears easy to call with record seven-time champions Egypt overwhelming favourites to defeat poorly performing South Africa.

While the Pharaohs won all three group games without conceding a goal, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) sneaked into the last 16 as the lowest of the best four third-place qualifiers.

Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan have been constant threats in attack for Egypt while Aston Villa right-back Ahmed Elmohamady netted twice.

In stark contrast, South Africa did not have a single goal attempt on target in losses against the Ivory Coast and Morocco.

But South Africa coach Stuart Baxter sees a glimmer of hope, telling reporters: “If we can improve our attacking game by 10 to 15 percent, we will give Egypt problems.”

Source: AFP

Cameroon, the holders, will face the three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Nigeria in the last 16 of the 2019 edition after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Benin, who sealed their place in the knockout stages for the first time.

Clarence Seedorf’s side needed a victory to guarantee they progressed from Group F in first place but found a stubborn Benin side hard to break down in Ismailia and had to settle for second. They now play Gernot Rohr’s side in Alexandria on Saturday, with the hosts, Egypt, potentially waiting in the quarter-finals.

Michel Dussuyer’s Benin team held on for a point that means they progress as one of the four best third-placed teams, but will face a tough test against unbeaten Morocco in Cairo on Friday. Surprise package Madagascar will face DR Congo in Alexandria on Sunday.

Show

Meanwhile, Ghana’s 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau thanks to goals from Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey ensured they topped group F and earned a potentially easier path to the final. The Black Stars will now face Tunisia, who came second in Group E after a goalless draw with Mauritania.

Mali secured top spot in group E after Amadou Haïdara scored the only goal of the game against Angola in Suez. The RB Leipzig midfielder struck from 25 yards out after 37 minutes with a contender for goal of the tournament. The Eagles will stay in Suez to take on Ivory Coast on Monday.

Defeat for Angola allowed South Africa to sneak into the knockout stages, where they will face Egypt.

Source: The Guardian

Jordan Ayew’s superb solo goal helped Ghana overcome an unimpressive start in the Africa Cup of Nations to beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 and top Group F.

Ayew broke down the left wing, skipped past a defender and curled a shot into the far top corner to give Ghana the lead in the first minute of the second half. Thomas Partey added a second when he forced in a cross from close range in the 72nd minute as Ghana secured their first win at the tournament. The four-time champions began the tournament with two draws and under threat of not qualifying for the last 16, but victory saw them emerge as group winners after defending champions Cameroon failed to beat Benin.

Cameroon stutter into last 16

Cameroon’s 0-0 draw in Ismailia had repercussions beyond the group stage as finishing second in Group F means a last 16 encounter with Nigeria.

The draw also saw Benin through as one of the best third-place teams, the first time the West African nation has made it past the group stages at the tournament.

Mali, Tunisia qualify from Group E

Mali secured top spot in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 win over Angola, who failed to progress to the knockout stage.

Angola threatened early on when Gelson Dala went through, but could not beat goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

At the other end, Toni Cabaca saved well from first Adama Traore and then Falaye Sacko before Mali striker Kalifa Coulibaly nodded just wide from a corner.

The West African side, though, took the lead in the 37th minute through a long-range effort from RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara.

Mali progress to a second-round showdown against the Ivory Coast in Suez on July 8, while Angola head home.

Tunisia went through as runners-up despite a goalless draw against Mauritania, and will next play Ghana.

Tuesday’s results also mean South Africa edge into the last 16 after ranking fourth out of the best third-placed teams, which will see the Bafana Bafana take on hosts Egypt in Cairo on Saturday.

Source: Sky Sports

South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) on Monday appointed Cameroonian Ashu Cyprian Besong as head coach of the country’s national football team.

Besong, who was Cameroon’s U-20 head coach, will replace caretaker coach Ramzi Sebit, the SSFA said.

“Ashu Cyprian Besong of Cameroon will be appointed as the coach for South Sudan national team coach. He is confirmed to arrive Juba, tomorrow (Tuesday) to take up his new assignment,” the SSFA said on its official Facebook page.

The coaching position has been vacant since September 2018, following the resignation of Algeria’s Ahcene Ait-Abdelmalek just seven months after his appointment.

Besong becomes South Sudan’s fifth foreign coach following the departure of Ait-Abdelmalek, South Korea’s Lee Sung-Jea, Serbian Zoran Dordevic and Uganda’s Leo Adraa.

The world’s youngest nation failed to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, losing all qualifier games in Group C.

Source: Xinhuanet