Category: News

Egypt sack coach after exit from Cup of Nations

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre became the first casualty of the Africa Cup of Nations as he was sacked just hours after the hosts were bundled out of the tournament by South Africa in the round of 16.

Hosts Egypt lost 1-0 to an 85th-minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch on Saturday at the end of a lacklustre display in which their talisman Mohamed Salah looked out of sorts and they produced few goalscoring chances.

Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the Mexican coach, and his own resignation, less than three hours after the game as a stunned host nation digested the defeat.

Abo Rida also called on his board members to step down, calling his resignation a “moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support”.

Aguirre told reporters after Saturday’s defeat that he took sole responsibility but was proud of all of his players.

“The game was open and saw many chances. The only difference was that South Africa managed to score,” he said.

Aguirre, 60, departs after less than a year in the job but not before setting a unique record by coaching at four different continental championships.

He won the Concacaf Gold Cup with his native Mexico in 2009, took them to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

Gallant Bafana eliminate hosts Egypt

South Africa completed another upset in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations when they eliminated hosts Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night.

Bafana Bafana claimed the deserved victory thanks to a late strike from winger Thembinkosi Lorch, having put in an outstanding performance against the highly-rated Pharaohs. Stuart Baxter’s side advance to face old foes Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Egypt started the match strongly and threatened through the likes of Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan. Yet the best efforts on goal in the opening quarter came from South Africa’s Percy Tau.

The forward twice tested goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy with powerful left-footed shots. The first was well held by the gloves-man, while the second (which was direct from a free kick) called for an outstanding save to keep the score line blank.

Midway through the first half the Pharaohs created their first clear chance, with a counter attack gifting Hassan a sight of goal with only Ronwen Williams to beat, but he directed his low shot straight at the Bafana Bafana ‘keeper.

SA continued to try their hand at shooting on goal, with Thembinkosi Lorch and Kamohelo Mokotjo both firing shots just wide of El Shenawy’s right-hand post, but the first half ended with the teams locked at 0-0.

Egypt had the first clear chance of the second stanza and again it was ‘Trezeguet’ who squandered a great opportunity: Mohamed Salah’s defence-splitting pass picked out the Pharaohs’ number seven, but he hit his shot straight at Williams in the 57th minute.

Bafana Bafana put together a fine passing move on 73 minutes to put Lorch in on goal, but he too was guilty shooing straight at the goalkeeper, allowing El Shenawy to make a comfortable low save.

The match looked set for extra time, but on 85 minutes South Africa struck on a quick counter attack: Lebo Mothiba beautifully played in Lorch, who this time showed great composure to slide a shot beyond the ‘keeper and provide the decisive moment.

Egypt 0

South Africa (0) 1 (Lorch 85’)

Egypt: El Shenawy, Elmohamady, Hegazy, Alaa, Asgraf, Elneny (Soliman 83’), Said (Warda 64’), Hamed, Salah, Mohsen (Ali 46’), Trezeguet

SA: Williams, Mkhize, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Furman (Kekana 90+2’), Zungu, Mokotjo, Lorch (Veldwijk 90+3’), Mothiba, Tau

Uganda’s Cranes have plenty to build on after surprise run

Uganda showed a bold commitment to attacking football as they reached the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages for the first time in 41 years but ultimately paid for lack of experience at the top level.

Poor finishing combined with two defensive mistakes led to their downfall in their round of 16 tie against Senegal as the Cranes lost 1-0 on Friday despite matching their opponents for long periods in an a physical clash.

Perhaps that was not surprising given the yawning gap between the two sets of players at club level.

Senegal’s starting line-up included three players from the English Premier league, two in Italy’s Serie A, one in Spain’s La Liga, three in Ligue 1 and two in the Turkish top flight.

Uganda’s, on the other hand, comprised two players based in Tanzania, one each in South Africa, Canada, Croatia, India, Uganda, the Swedish third tier, the English fifth tier and two who are unattached.

But they managed to give Senegal a run for their money and, in their previous match outplayed hosts Egypt despite going down to a 2-0 defeat.

“Lack of experience cost us this defeat,” said coach Sebastien Desabre.

“After the goal, we were better and had many chances but unfortunately Senegal were better than us. We were not far from qualification against the best side in this tournament.”

Even so, he said Uganda had made important progress since they were knocked out in the group stage two years ago.

“It was a target of the federation to get to the last 16,” he said. “We have a long way to go to organise football in Uganda and it’s important the national team shows the way.”

One of the biggest compliments came from fellow Frenchman Sebastien Migne, coach of their larger neighbours Kenya, who held Uganda up as an example to be followed after his own side went out in the group stage.

Desabre, coach since December 2017, is himself little known in his native France. He only played football semi-professionally and abandoned his career at 26 to concentrate on coaching.

The road to the Uganda led via clubs in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt and he described taking Uganda to the Afcon as the “high point of my career so far”.

Some of his players, meanwhile, have set their sights even higher.

“We came and made it to the round of 16 which was our main target,” said Allan Kateregga. “Our next focus is the World Cup – we want to go to the World Cup.”

Nigeria defeat holders Cameroon in Afcon classic

Nigeria have put Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon out of the 2019 edition after claiming a 3-2 win in the regional rivals’ last 16 clash at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday evening.

In a match which will be remembered as an Afcon classic – and certainly the best of this tournament so far – the Super Eagles were inspired by two goals and an assist from striker Odion Ighalo.

Nigeria looked the more proactive and threatening team early on, and they deservedly claimed the lead in the 20th minute through Odion Igahlo. The striker netted via a deflection in the penalty area after Cameroon had failed to deal with a cross from the left by-line.

A thrilling match comes to an end as the #SuperEagles knock the #IndomitableLions out of #AFCON2019 with a dramatic 3-2 victory. pic.twitter.com/IOpRZDdva2— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

In response, Cameroon looked to push higher up the field and try to bring Clinton N’Jie and Christian Bassogog more into the game, but the wide men initially had little joy against Nigeria’s fullbacks Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem.

Yet, after a sustained spell of pressure, the Indomitable Lions hit back to level the game in the 41stminute. Bassogog whipped in a cross from the left and Stephane Bahoken, with almost his first contribution of any note, expertly turned the ball home for 1-1.

“Ighalo’s through, Iwobiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii” What a game we are witnessing with the #SuperEagles scoring twice in the space of three minutes to retake the lead against Cameroon. Alex Iwobi’s first AFCON goal makes it 3-2 with 25 minutes left!#AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/DxeFPMiSJ9— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

Nigeria were then stunned with another goal concession three minutes later. Bahoken flicked on a long ball and N’Jie showed good speed and strength to hold off a challenge before striking a low shot past Daniel Akpeyi to send Cameroon into the interval with a 2-1 lead.

N’Jie almost forced a third goal early in the second half, with his low cross from the right of the penalty area deflecting off Aina and heading toward goal, but Akpeyi did well to quickly change direction and claw the ball away.

Nigeria equalised just past the hour mark, with Ighalo again getting on the score sheet. This time Awaziem provided a fine cross from the right and Ahmed Musa cleverly chested the ball into space for the striker, who turned and fired home a left-footed shot for 2-2.

“It’s Clinton Njiééééééééééééééééé”What a five minutes for the #IndomitableLions who equalized through Stéphane Bahoken and then Clinton Njié’s pace saw him get in behind to fire Cameroon into a 2-1 lead over Nigeria just before half-time!#AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/BJ7Xc3kpMQ— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

And Ighalo soon went from scorer to creator, playing a lovely pass through the legs of MichaelNgaedu-Ngadjui to find the run of Alex Iwobi, who hit a low shot past goalkeeper Andre Onana to make it 3-2 to the Super Eagles in the 66th minute.

Ighalo had a great chance to complete a hat-trick in the 76th minute when a low cross from substitute Samuel Chukwueze found the striker unmarked in the penalty area, but his shot was palmed away by Onana to keep Cameroon in the contest.

“It’s Odion Ighalooooooooooooo!”The goal poacher finds the ball at his feet and fires home from close range, via deflection, to give the #SuperEagles the lead over Cameroon after 20 minutes.#AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/sYpaNaQzCg— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

However, there was no way back for the 2017 champions, allowing Nigeria through to a quarterfinal against either hosts Egypt or South Africa in Cairo on Wednesday night.

Nigeria (1) 3 (Ighalo 20’ 63’, Iwobi 66’)

Cameroon (2) 2 (Bahoken 41’, N’Jie 44’)

Nigeria: Akpeyi, Awaziem, Omeruo, Troost-Ekong, Aina, Ndidi, Etebo, Musa, Iwobi (Balogun 90+1’), Simon (Chukwueze 60’), Ighalo (Onuachu 85’)

Cameroon: Onana, Fai, Ngaedu-Ngadjui, Yaya, Oyongo, Bassogog, Malong (Zoua 87’), Mandjeck(Zambo Anguissa 62’), N’Jie (Ekambi 70’), Choupo-Moting, Bahoken.

Egypt reach ton-up against Bafana Bafana

Egypt will play their 100th Africa Cup of Nations finals game when they take on South Africa in Saturday’s last 16 clash in Cairo, setting a new benchmark for the tournament.

It is one of the indicators of the dominance that the Egyptians have enjoyed since winning the first Cup of Nations 62 years ago and will fuel their hopes for another title as they host the latest edition of Africa’s sporting showpiece

Egypt, who are participating in a record 24th finals, have won 57 of their previous 99 games at the tournament, drawing 17 and losing 25.

#BafanaBafana have gotten the better of #ThePharaohs in their recent matches which will give them confidence going into tonight’s clash.#AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/t6sZ4LXyDr— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

Their tally of 164 goals in those 99 games is also a tournament record. They have conceded 87 – the last coming in the 2017 final in Libreville when Vincent Aboubakar won the Cup of Nations for Cameroon.

Egypt lead the field in a wide variety of Cup of Nations records:

*Most tournament appearances — 24 (1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019)

*Most titles on – 7 (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010

*Most appearances in a final – 9 (1957, 1959, 1962, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2017

*Most games played at the final tournament — 99

*Most wins at the final tournament — 57

*Most goals at the finals tournament – 164

*Most tournaments hosted – 5 (1959, 1974, 1986, 2006, 2019)

Egypt also share a number of records. They made 14 successive appearances at the finals between 1984, when they were semifinalists in the Ivory Coast, and 2010, when they won a third title in a row in Angola.

Former #BafanaBafana legends @TheAndreArendse and @markfish74 also gave their thoughts on @MoSalah and how important he is for #ThePharaohs but they believe that if #BafanaBafana have a game plan to deal with Egypt, they can get a positive result. pic.twitter.com/9bKumkFegX— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 6, 2019

That has now been matched by Tunisia, whose appearance at the 2019 finals makes it 14 in a row for them since 1994 when they hosted the event.

Midfielder Ahmed Hassan shares the record for the most tournament appearances with Rigobert Song of Cameroon as both participated at eight different events.

Playing in four final matches, however, is Hassan’s own unique record.

Hassan Shehata’s three titles as coach between 2006 and 2010 matched the previous record set by Ghana’s legendary Charles Gyamfi – who led the Black Stars to their successes in 1983, 1965 and 1982.

Egypt can even boast the oldest competitor – Hossam Hassan, who was 39 years, five months and 24 days when he came on as a last minute substitute in the semifinal win over Senegal in Cairo in 2006.

Mahmoud Al Gohari took the title in 1957 as a player and then again 31 years later as coach of Egypt – a feat later matched by Stephen Keshi of Nigeria.

Guinea say they can overcome Keita’s loss for Algeria clash

Naby Keita’s departure from the Africa Cup of Nations is a big blow for Guinea but they can overcome it, captain Ibrahim Traore said on the eve of their last-16 meeting with Algeria on Sunday.

Guinea, who qualified as one of the four best third-placed finishers in the group, meet one of the tournament’s form teams without the Liverpool attacker, who is returning to Anfield after suffering calf and thigh injuries during the group phase.

“Naby is our star player. He won the Champions League, so when you have one of the best players on the continent, who plays in a big club but who is not able to help us, it’s a big loss, it’s not easy,” said the 31-year-old Traore, who plays in the Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach.

“We would all have liked that he is with us, not only for his quality in the game but also for the confidence he brings to the group by knowing that we have a very great player with us who can make the difference.”

But Traore said there was a positive to be drawn from Keita’s absence

“There are other players who also have qualities. It brings us even closer together, knowing that we cannot count on Naby Keita and that now we will have to do it as a team.

“We know that tomorrow will be a very tough match. Algeria has played the best football at this tournament so it will be like a final for us because we know we are playing a better team than us,” he told Saturday’s pre-match news conference.

“We have nothing to lose, the pressure will be on our opponent.”