TheNewsGuru

Tag: AFCON 2023

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro gives update on Nwabali’s injury

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro gives update on Nwabali’s injury

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has expressed confidence that goalie, Stanley Nwabali would recover in time for the side’s quarter-final clash with Angola against Angola on Saturday.

    Nwabali cropped an injury while featuring for the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Palancas Negras of Angola.

    The Chippa United goalie missed the team’s training session at the Police College, Cocody on Monday night but was seen jogging and engaging in light training.

    “He (Nwabali) is here with us, we are hoping he will be available for the game against Angola,” Peseiro told reporters.

    “He will undergo another test on Wednesday. After that we will know whether he can play or not.”

    The Super Eagles will be up against Pedro Goncalves’ side at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Friday.

  • AFCON 2023: DR Congo send Egypt packing from tournament

    AFCON 2023: DR Congo send Egypt packing from tournament

    DR Congo have secured qualification into the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after an 8-7 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw in the last 16.

    Mostafa Mohammed of Egypt converted a last minute penalty in the first half to equalize for the North Africans after Meschak Elia’s header put the Congolese ahead earlier in the encounter.

    All efforts by both sides to score in the game proved abortive even with the additional 30 minutes extra time.

    The encounter was later decided on Penalties.

    Abou Gabal missed the vital kick in the shootout before his opposite number, Lionel Mpasi netted the winner to the delight of the DRC travelling fans.

    10-man Egypt suffered a shock first defeat to DR Congo at AFCON as they crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
    The result meant that Guinea who earlier on Sunday afternoon defeated Equatorial Guinea will slug it out against the DR Congo in the second quarter -final fixture on Friday February 2nd.
  • AFCON 2023: Tournament’s current highest goal scorer, Nsue apologizes for missing a penalty

    AFCON 2023: Tournament’s current highest goal scorer, Nsue apologizes for missing a penalty

    The Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea striker, Emilio Nsue has apologized to his countrymen for missing a penalty during his side’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Round of 16 defeat to Guinea on Sunday.

    Nsue, who is currently the 2023 AFCON top scorer with five goals, missed a golden opportunity to put his side ahead in the game and minutes later missed a penalty in the second half against Guinea.

    However, a late stoppage-time goal from Mohamed Bayo gave Guinea a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, Nsue also said that his team will learn from their mistakes going forward.

    “I apologise personally for my penalty miss,” Nsue said.

    “They won at the last minute; we have to learn from our mistakes and keep working.”

  • BREAKING: Guinea pip Equatorial Guinea to qualify for AFCON 2023 quarter finals

    BREAKING: Guinea pip Equatorial Guinea to qualify for AFCON 2023 quarter finals

    The Syli National of Guinea are the latest to qualify for the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Guinea pipped Equatorial Guinea by a lone goal to book a ticket for the quarter finals of the 2023 AFCON.

    Ibrahim Diakite produced an assist at the very end of the encounter, which was converted by Mohamed Bayo’s last minute header.

    Guinea will play either Egypt or Democratic Republic of Congo, the encounter of which, would be decided later today.

  • NFF President hails Super Eagles performance against Cameroon

    NFF President hails Super Eagles performance against Cameroon

    Ibrahim Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has described the Super Eagles’ performance against the Indomitable Lions on Saturday as a solid performance.

    Gusau, while speaking shortly after the team’s 2-0 win in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16, said it was a delightful performance.

    “It was a solid performance and we are proud of the team,” he said.

    The Super Eagles won through an Ademola Lookman brace to advance into the competition’s quarter-finals.

    “They did a great job tonight and we look forward to the quarter-finals with high expectations,” Gusau added.

    The Super Eagles will now meet Angola on Friday in the quarter-finals.

    In Saturday’s match at Abidjan’s Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the Eagles played with assurance and thought they had the lead when Semi Ajayi swept the ball home from a goalmouth melee.

    Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed gave the goal, but was summoned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to watch the action again, and he afterwards ruled out the strike.

    The duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman did not relent however.

    In the 35th minute, the Africa Player of the Year award winner had the better of dithering defender Oumar Gonzalez and threaded to Lookman, who shot past Fabrice Ondoa from close range.

    After the recess, Nigeria continued where they had left off in the first period, and Lookman blasted over the sticks from a 22-yard free-kick.

    Five minutes later Lookman freed Osimhen but got too much pressure on the ball and Ondoa cleared.

    Cameroon called goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to duty in the 71st minute with a fierce free-kick, but the goaltender punched clear.

    Nwabali was however injured in another goalmouth melee and had to be substituted by Francis Uzoho.

    Five minutes from the end, a one-two of Osimhen and Lookman from the left saw the ball rolled to Olaoluwa Aina in the box.

    But his effort was too weak and Ondoa blocked with his leg.

    On the dot of 90 minutes, Calvin Bassey and Lookman combined from the left, leaving the Cameroonian defence flummoxed.

    Lookman only needed to place the ball to the far left of Ondoa for his second goal of the night.

    The three-time champions, who also knocked out Cameroon from the 2019 AFCON in the Round of 16, will now confront Angola’s Palancas Negras, who beat Namibia 3-0 earlier in the day.

    The match will come up at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

  • AFCON: How Angola’s match is going to be – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    AFCON: How Angola’s match is going to be – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    The Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro, has said he and his boys are aware that the quarter-final match against Angola will be tougher than the Cameroon game.

    Peseiro said this while reacting to the 2-0 round of 16 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Even though the Portuguese commended his players for the 2-0 win over Cameroon, he said the boys have been given a two-day off before work resumes again for the all important quarter-final clash with Angola.

    “I think my players know that. We are playing with a fantastic spirit now but we must be focused on the target and train more before the next match,” Peseiro said.

    Reflecting on individual performances of his players, Peseiro said Victor Osimhen did not score on Saturday but had a fantastic game, saying it is very difficult to stop the Napoli FC of Italy striker.

    “He (Osimhen) is a fantastic player for our team, we have very good players, he will win the ball, hold play until our players arrive,” Peseiro said.

    The Portuguese, however, revealed that it has not been easy for him to select his 11 players in every game.

    Ademola Lookman’s goals in the 35th and 90th minutes were all Nigeria needed to set a date with Angola in the quarter-final on Friday, Feb. 2 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan beginning at 9:00 p.m Nigerian time.

  • AFCON 2023: Hooligans attack Nigerian Football Supporters Club in Abidjan

    AFCON 2023: Hooligans attack Nigerian Football Supporters Club in Abidjan

    A notorious gang believed to be Nigerians living in Cote D’Ivoire have attacked members  of Nigeria Football Supporters Club in Abidjan, thus injuring a few.

    TheNewsGuru  (TNG) gathered that the hooligans trailed the supporters club from the Felix Houghouet Boigny, stadium, Abidjan venue of the Super Eagles versus the indomitable Lions of Cameroon second round clash.

    Findings  by TNG reporter shows that the Supporters club and a gang claiming to be Nigerian fans had a squabble on the stand.

    According to one of the members of the Supporters club, Akinyemi Olutayo, the boys invaded their space after the first half encounter  between Nigeria and Cameroon, adding that the gang had intentions to rob people of their phones and wallets.

    Upon realizing their intentions, they called the security operators who came and whisked them away from the stadium.

    It was further learned that they got infuriated and threatened to fight back by attacking them in their base in Adjame a town in Abidjan.

    A Nigerian based in Liberte who doesn’t want his name mentioned  joined the Nigerian supporters to celebrate the Super Eagles victory  late in the night, was also attacked in the process but he has been able to identify one of the attackers.

    He said: ”I know one of them who broke a bottle and nearly stabbed me, if not for the timely intervention of the police i would have been severely injured or even dead by now.

    His name is Zioni, a tout who doesn’t have a job but lives among prostitute  and roam the streets here in Abidjan without any reasonable motive”

    However, the police in Abidjan have been on top of the matter and have promised to fish out the gang.

  • AFCON 2023: What we learnt from Super Eagles defeat – Rigobert Song

    AFCON 2023: What we learnt from Super Eagles defeat – Rigobert Song

    Rigobert Song, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon  head coach, has noted that his side has learnt one or two things from the second round defeat to Nigeria.

    The Indomitable Lions exited the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a humiliating 2-0 defeat to the Super Eagles.

    The Cameroon gaffer noted that he would work on the lapses that made them lose against the Super Eagles.

    Ademola Lookman scored two goals one in each half to send the Cameroonians packing from the tournament on Saturday night.

    The West Africans put up a spirited performance that helped them win the game and secure quarter-final qualification.

    Cameroon didn’t manage a shot on target for the entire duration of the game.

    “We had the youngest team; there are players who are discovering. We gave the opponent the opportunity to put us in difficulty; it’s part of the game.

    “As I’ve said before, we are rebuilding. It’s by making these mistakes that we will grow,” Song told reporters after the game.

    “Football is like that. The AFCON is a competition that is played on all levels: technical, tactical, and especially mental.

    “I have a youthful team that is discovering; it played, and we still have a lot to learn.”

    The Super Eagles will face Angola at Stade Felix Hougpouet Boigny for a semi-final ticket on February 2nd.

  • AFCON 2023: How Angola set up quarter final clash against Nigeria

    AFCON 2023: How Angola set up quarter final clash against Nigeria

    Gelson Dala scored twice to ensure Angola reached the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Angola held a comprehensive 3-0 last-16 victory over neighbours Namibia on Saturday in Bouake.

    Angola, who claimed their biggest-ever Cup of Nations finals win with the result, left Namibia rueing four mad first half minutes on their part.

    Angola 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 then received a red card shortly afterwards and the Angola forward completed his double from the resulting free-kick.

    Angola added a third goal through Mabululu in the second period and now face a quarter-final tie against Nigeria on Friday.

    Nigeria were 2-0 winners of their last-16 tie against Cameroon which was played later on Saturday.

    Namibia made their debut in the Cup of Nations knockout rounds but could not profit from an early piece of good fortune.

    Angola were reduced to 10 men after 17 minutes when Neblu handled the ball outside the box as he stopped Bethuel Muzeu’s chipped shot.

    It was poor play all round by the team as defender Kialonda Gaspar was caught in possession by Muzeu, who had a clear run on goal and forced the error from the goalkeeper.

    Deon Hotto’s resulting free-kick from the edge of the area was superbly saved by replacement goalkeeper Antonio Dominique.

    In spite of their numerical disadvantage, Angola took the lead with a superbly constructed goal.

    Fredy was played into space on the right-hand side of the penalty box and his low cross provided a tap-in for Gelson.

    Two minutes later and it was 10 players each as Namibia defender Haukongo received a needless second yellow card and was sent off.

    From the resulting free-kick, the same two players combined for Angola’s second goal.

    Fredy delivered the set-piece and Gelson headed home for his fourth goal of the tournament.

    Peter Shalulile fired over early in the second half as Namibia tried to reduce the deficit but it was Angola who scored the next goal.

    Mabululu burst into the box after a quick counter-attack and curled a fine finish in at the far post to kill the contest.

  • AFCON 2023: Man of the match Lookman reacts after Super Eagles victory over Cameroon

    AFCON 2023: Man of the match Lookman reacts after Super Eagles victory over Cameroon

    Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, says the team is getting better with each game at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Lookman whose brace helped Nigeria tame the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in the Round of 16 clash on Saturday in Abidjan said the Eagles were poised to soar in the tournament.

    The winger who was named the TotalEnergies Man of the Match for the encounter said after the match that the win was a collective effort.

    “Wow, we’re so happy to qualify for the quarter-finals.

    “The more we play together, the more fluid we become. I’m standing here now but this award reflects the whole team’s performance,” he said.

    Lookman commended the support from the Nigerian fans in the stands for giving the team the push to defeat the Cameroonians.

    “I love this atmosphere, it’s incredible. Tonight our fans pushed us to the end because this was Cameroon, and when you wear the Super Eagles shirt, some games resonate more than others,” he said.

    The Atalanta of Italy hit man said all attention will now be focused on the Angola game on Friday in Abidjan.

    “Angola are a good team. We’ll analyse them and prepare.

    “The further you go, the tougher it gets. So, we’ll take it game by game,” he said.