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Tag: AFCON 2023

  • AFCON 2023: Prophet predicts group stage exit for Black Stars of Ghana

    AFCON 2023: Prophet predicts group stage exit for Black Stars of Ghana

    A Ghanaian prophet, Reverend Jedidia Henry Kore, has predicted that the Black Stars of Ghana will exit the ongoing 2023 AFCON from the group stage.

    Jedidia, who is popularly known as Prophet Fire Ogya, predicted correctly the result of Ghana’s first game against Cape Verde which they lost 2-1.

    However, the prophet suffered some humiliations on social media after his prediction of Ghana’s last game against Egypt didn’t come into fruition.

    He predicted defeat for Ghana in the game and also said winger Mohamed Kudus will not perform well against the Egyptians.

    Kudus scored twice and the Egyptians who were trailing equalized to end the match 2-2 at the Alasasane Quattara stadium.

    The Black Stars played out a 2-2 draw against the Egyptians with Kudus scoring twice.

    Jedidia was mocked by Ghanaians on social media for his inaccurate prophecies.

    In response to the troll, he has predicted an early exit for his country.

    “Ghana is coming home. Ghanaians have even angered me, the prophet. You see the insults, some of which have included my mother. If I have any prayer to say, will the behaviour of Ghanaians make me do it?” the Prophet said.

    The Black stars of Ghana need to win its last game of the group to stand a chance of securing second round qualification.

    Ghana will clash with Mozambique in their last group B encounter while the Pharaohs of Egypt will slug it out with already qualified group leaders Cape Verde.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles warned against Guinea Bissau

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles warned against Guinea Bissau

    Ebere Amaraizu, a former Board Member and South-East Director, Nationwide League One (NLO), has warned the Super Eagles of Nigeria must be wary of Guinea Bissau.

    Amaraizu, who gave the warning on Saturday in Enugu, cautioned that Guinea Bissau “will take on Super Eagles as wounded lions”.

    He was predicting a tension soaked match between the Eagles and Guinea Bissau national team on Monday at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    He said the eagles must bring their A-Game to play and never to underrate the Guinea Bissau because they (Guinea) lost  two matches and are already technically out of the tournament.

    According to him, Super Eagles must avoid complacency so that the Guineans will use Nigeria to announce their presence in the tournament.

    He said: “The last group match between Super Eagles and Guinea Bissau national team is a match that must have to be approached with both technical and tactical prowess.

    “Nothing should be left to chance and no stone should be left upturned in its preparations.

    “Super Eagles must get their rhythms well without taking anything for granted.

    “Guinea Bissau national team will play as wounded lions and if they are not properly tamed, they will fight to make a statement which might be detrimental against Super Eagles.”

    Amaraizu, who is the former General Manager of Crime Busters FC, Enugu, who won the 2018 Enugu State Aiteo Cup, said Guinea Bissau national team would be fighting to make a statement that “they are not a total push over.

    “So, Super Eagles should expect tough encounter and bearing this in mind they should not count their chicken before they are hatched and avoiding complacency and any form of distractions.

    “They should keep fate with the squad that played against Ivory Coast on Thursday.

    “The Super Eagles should maintain a formidable midfield that will aid the defence and sharpen the attacking networks which will give them those maximum three points,” he said.

  • AFCON 2023: Algeria held to second draw by Burkina Faso

    AFCON 2023: Algeria held to second draw by Burkina Faso

    Baghdad Bounedjah scored twice to keep Algeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hopes alive as they drew against Burkino Faso in Group D.

    Mohamed Konate’s powerful header had put the Stallions ahead before Bounedjah equalised in the 51st minute, scoring from close range.

    Bertrand Traore’s penalty put Burkino Faso back in front 20 minutes later.

    But Bounedjah rose highest to head in Algeria’s second equaliser in added time to pick up a point.

    The Stallions had the better chances with Steeve Yago backheeling into the path of Blati Toure, whose shot flew just over the bar.

    Rayan Ait-Nouri gave away the penalty after fouling Issa Kabore in the box and Traore stepped up to convert his second goal in as many games.

    Bounedjah made up for shooting wide of the post in the first half by scoring twice in the second period. He reacted quickest in the box when Nabil Bentaleb’s effort was saved and then rose highest to gain a vital point for The Greens.

    Group D is now finely poised, with Burkina Faso top on four points.

    Algeria are second with two points from two games, while Angola would go joint top if they beat Mauritania.

    BBC

  • AFCON 2023: Egyptian FA gives update on Salah’s injury

    AFCON 2023: Egyptian FA gives update on Salah’s injury

    The Egyptian Football Association has given a detailed information about Mohammed Salah’s injury.

    According to the report, the Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah will miss the Pharaohs next two games in the ongoing AFCON.

    “Tests on Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Egypt national team, proved that he suffered a hamstring injury and will miss the next two matches of the team at the AFCON,” the Egyptian FA said in a statement.

    Salah, 31, came off late in the first half of the Pharaohs’ 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday.

    He will therefore sit out Monday’s final group game against Cape Verde and any last-16 tie that would follow that.

    The result against Ghana meant Egypt has just 2 points in two games so far in the competition and needs to win the last game of the competition.

    Salah scored Egypt’s equalizer  from the penalty spot against the mambas of Mozambique in their first group B encounter in Abidjan.

    He will therefore only feature again at the competition if Egypt make it to a quarter-final on February 2 or 3.

    The Pharaohs of Egypt are locked in group B alongside, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Ghana.

  • AFCON 2023: Why I left Super Eagles camp in Abidjan – Sadiq Umar

    AFCON 2023: Why I left Super Eagles camp in Abidjan – Sadiq Umar

    Super Eagles and Real Sociedad striker, Umar Sadiq has revealed why he left the camp of the Nigerian side few days to the start of the competition in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Recall that Paul Onuachu has since been called up to replace Umar after the Super Eagles team doctors claimed he suffered a meniscus injury in the team’s 2-0 loss to Guinea in a pre-tournament friendly in Abu Dhabi.

    The 28-year-old left the Eagles camp for Sociedad last Saturday and on Monday the Spanish club posted a video of the Nigerian striker undergoing recovery training.

    The goal poacher also featured for Sociedad against Osasuna in a Copa de Rey game last Wednesday in Spain.

    However, in a statement released by the player on Friday, the striker, who congratulated the Eagles over their 1-0 win over Ivory Coast on Thursday, said, “It’s imperative for me to address the message I have received from fellow Nigerians, accusing me of pretending to be injured to leave the national team just before the start of the AFCON and return to my club.

    “Here is a comprehensive explanation on the situation. During the friendly game against Guinea. I experienced a significant impact from two Guinean defenders leading to a penalty in favour of Nigeria.

    “Despite the medical team recommending substitution for preventive measures, I insisted on continuing to play and complete the game. The following day, my knee was swollen and the Eagles medical team conducted a thorough examination revealing a meniscus injury.

    “The manager decided to replace me based on the medical assessment, considering uncertainties about my fitness for the AFCON.”

    According to Sadiq, his club discovered that he only suffered a bruise and could thus resume training.

    “Upon returning to my club, I underwent thorough examination and the medical team revealed that I had only suffered a bruise and as a result I was cleared to resume training. I give special thanks to Allah and my club Real Sociedad for supporting my swift recovery and resuming to play.

    “Representing Nigeria is always my priority. I will never take it for granted. I would gladly accept it if I could return to the team. I am sad that I’m not with the team but happy for the winning. I extend my best wishes to the Eagles in the ongoing AFCON.”

    Recall that the Super Eagles medical team had earlier also released a statement stating their own side of the story.

  • AFCON 2023: Former Super Eagles coach cautions Jose Peseiro

    AFCON 2023: Former Super Eagles coach cautions Jose Peseiro

    Adegboye Onigbinde, a former Super Eagles Chief Coach, has urged the team’s handlers to put more efforts into improving the team at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Onigbinde said this on Friday in Ibadan, adding that more work still needed to be done on the team in spite of beating the hosts.

    Recall the Nigerian senior male football team beat their Ivorian hosts 1-0 on Thursday in Abidjan in their Group A Match Day 2 fixture.

    Onigbinde who noted that the victory was a morale-booster for the team said he was happy that Nigeria won and was hopeful it would keep on with the good performance.

    He however had words of caution for the team and its handlers.

    ”There’s no magic behind it, but hard work and good planning, and that’s what I have been preaching in Nigerian  football.

    “They (the team’s coaches) need to keep doing what they have been doing, improve on the players’ mental state and ensure they are one step ahead of their opponents,

    “I was with world football governing body FIFA for 20 years and the African body CAF for 25 years. I wasn’t sacked. I voluntarily left both positions which I occupied.

    “But it’s unfortunate that in Nigeria, they don’t want me to talk about football, and when I do, they don’t appreciate it,” the former coaching instructor said.

    He pointed out that Thursday’s win was proof that Nigeria has the talents.

    ”I’m happy we beat the host nation, because I know what we went through in 1984 when they hosted and we got to the final where we lost to Cameroon.”

    Onigbinde added that for one to accurately evaluate a match, one has to be physically present at a match venue.

    “One has to be present because there are a lot of things that won’t be seen via footage on television.

    “In countries where football is taken seriously, it’s not just coaches that are attached to teams for competitions. Also included were technical analysts.

    “The analysts are people who are experienced in evaluating players even while the matches are ongoing. This was what I did for CAF and FIFA.

    “But the problem with Nigerian football is not technical but administrative.

    “I have traveled all over the world on football matters, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating that there’s no country blessed with football talents than Nigeria.

    “But what are we doing with the talents?” he demanded.

    Onigbinde who later went on to manage the Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan at its formative stage said Nigeria lacked development programmes which can help improve its football.

    “Talents and interests abound in this country, but the administrative framework to get things right is the problem.

    “FIFA and CAF have developmental programmes we can benefit from, and even if they don’t have, we as a country should have.

    “But I don’t blame people who are against what I say. However, I will  appreciate if they can replace that with the truth if they believe I am wrong,” he said.

  • AFCON 2023: Cape Verde, Senegal secure second round qualification, Nigeria, Guinea inch closer

    AFCON 2023: Cape Verde, Senegal secure second round qualification, Nigeria, Guinea inch closer

    After the conclusion of group C encounter on Friday night, two teams booked their place in the second round of ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations  presently holding  in Cote D’Ivoire.

    The Blue Shark  of Cape Verde were the first to secure qualification to the round of 16 after winning its first two games against the Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 and thrashing the mambas of Mozambique by 3-0 on Friday night.

    Senegal became the second country to book its spot following a 3-1 victory over  the indomitable lions of Cameroon.

    The Teranga Lions went two goals up thanks to Ismaila Sarr and Habib Diallo.

    Jean-Charles Castelletto pulled one back in the 83rd minute, but Sadio Mane drilled in a low shot past Andre Onana to seal the win.

    The result means they become the second team to win their first two matches at this tournament.

    More teams like Nigeria and Guinea have moved closer to second round qualification after amassing four points from two games.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali wins CAF’s Save of the Day award

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali wins CAF’s Save of the Day award

    Chippa united and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, won  the Save of the Day prize in Nigeria’s win against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

    Recall that Nwabali made a superb save to deny Jean Philippe Krasso in the first half.

    It was the first time, the Chippa United goalie will be keeping a clean sheet in three outings for the Super Eagles.

    The 27-year-old exhibited confidence in the game despite his inexperience at the international level.

    Nwabali will hope to maintain same form when the Super Eagles confront Guinea-Bissau in their last group game.

    The game will hold at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, next week Monday.

  • AFCON 2023: Blue Shark of Cape Verde humiliate Mozambique 3-0, qualify for second round

    AFCON 2023: Blue Shark of Cape Verde humiliate Mozambique 3-0, qualify for second round

    The Island nation of Cape Verde became the first team to book a place in the second round of the AFCON 2023 after defeating Mozambique by 3-0 in second group B encounter.

    Bebe scored a 40-yard free-kick as Cape Verde to open flood light of goals against the West Africans.

    The Rayo Vallecano forward, once of Manchester United, smashed in a strike which keeper Ernan Siluane should have done better with.

    Forward Kevin Pina smashed home a powerful strike into the top corner from outside the box to seal the win in Abidjan.

    Mozambique’s best moments came through Geny Catamo. He won a penalty in the first half, which was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), and hit the crossbar with a free-kick.

    Victory means Cape Verde have guaranteed top spot in Group B, ahead of former champions Egypt and Ghana, with a game to spare.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro warns players against complacency

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro warns players against complacency

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has advised his boys to remain humble despite their victory against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    According to him, the Super Eagles players cannot afford to be complacent at this point in time.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the three-time champions recorded their first win at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory against the host nation.

    The Super Eagles produced an improved performance to underline their title credentials.

    Despite the win, Peseiro stated that his team must keep working hard to achieve their objective in the competition.

    “Now we must eat well, rest and focus on the next game. It’s not the time to start celebrating,” Peseiro said during his interaction with the media after the game.

    “We have a game against Guinea-Bissau which we have to win. We have to be ready for them,” he said.

    The encounter against the Djurtus will take place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, next Monday.