2013 AFCON Match Day 3: Who will join Cote d’ Ivoire in the 1/4 Finals

Ugandan you are not serious about Zambia not qualifying. Change your prediction right now or else five hours from now you will look foolish.

The flying eagle of nigeria are looking to the quater final,after this evening match with Etheopia.[de eagle are winning to day]/////////

Both matches will end in draws. Burkina Faso and Zambia will be through. Nigeria will cry foul.

Zambia vs Burkina Faso

Due to “public demand”, BBC African Footballer of the Year Chris Katongo has been dropped to the bench.

Zambia: Mweene, Sinkala, Mbola, Himoonda, Nkausa, Sunzu, Kalaba, Chansa, Mayuka, Lungu, Mbesuma. Subs: Titima, Kasonde, Musonda, Jacob Mulenga, Felix Katongo, Christopher Katongo, Chamanga, Chivuta, Njovu, Sakuwaha, Munyao, Mukuka Mulenga.

Burkina Faso: Diakite, Bakary Kone, Panandetiguiri, Keba Paul Koulibaly, Djakaridja Kone, Koffi, Rouamba, Alain Traore, Pitroipa, Balima, Kabore. Subs: Germain Sanou, Dah, Henri Traore, Dagano, Ouattara, Bance, Rabo, Pan-Pierre Koulibaly, Wilfried Sanou, Abdou Razak Traore, Nakoulma.

Referee: Neant Alioum (Cameroon)

You can watch it live HERE

Click here for live commentary

Nigeria vs Ethiopia

Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Omeruo, Oboabona, Echiejile, Mikel, Ogude, Moses, Mba, Uche, Emenike. Subs: Agbim, Yobo, Obiorah, Egwueke, Musa, Ideye, Gabriel, Onazi, Uzoenyi, Igiebor, Oshaniwa, Ejide.

Ethiopia: Bancha, Gebreyes, Bune, Alula Girma, Elias, Estifanos, Saleh, Hintsa, Oukri, Kebede, Said. Subs: Tadelle, Zinabu, Hailu, Bogale, Ibrahim, Teshome, Tesfaye, Bekele, Assefa, Tassew.

Referee: Bouchaib El Ahrach (Morocco)

You can watch it live HERE

Click here for live commentary

Half Time: Zambia 0:0 Burkina Faso; Nigeria 0:0 Ethiopia

Anybody keeping track of the yellow/red cards?

Nigeria = 5 yellows and 1 red? (2 yellows and 1 red against Burkina Faso, 3 yellos against Zambia)
Zambia = 8 yellows (4 against Ethiopia, 2 against Nigeria and 2 today)?

It seems a Yellow Card = 1 point and a Red Card = 2 points

Full Time: Zambia 0:0 Burkina Faso; Nigeria 2:0 Ethiopia

79’ Goal!!!! Nigeria 1:0 Ethiopia (Victor Moses – Penalty Kick)
90’ Goal!!!! Nigeria 2:0 Ethiopia (Victor Moses – Penalty Kick)

Burkina Faso and Nigeria through to the ¼ finals. Zambia and Ethiopia out!

“The ingredient for the day was more pepper than salt for the soup. I think it’s Burkina Faso’s biggest achievement because they hosted it one time and then they reached the semi-finals. Our first target was to do better than in [more recent] African Cup of Nations, and we had already achieved that by drawing with Nigeria and beating Ethiopia. I think it’s history for Burkina Faso.” – Burkina Faso Coach Paul Put

“This is a victory for Nigerians where ever they are in the world. This is a time for celebration. Now we face title favourites Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals and there will be no second chance for either side. I have a game plan but, with respect, that is for the players and not for you guys (journalists).” – Nigeria Coach Stephen Keshi

“I loved my team tonight. If there is someone who is responsible then it’s me, not my players. It’s better to have won something in your life than always qualify for the quarter-finals, but never win anything. This is not the end of the world. Before we used to go home a lot of times after the first round, and today you have to accept that this is football. Everybody is sad but my players did their maximum, and I’m very proud of them. It’s not the end of the world.” – Zambia Coach Herve Renard

“We are out but we have gained so much experience and we will build on that for the future. We also need more experience. We cannot make the kind of mistakes that led to having two goalkeepers sent off in a tournament.” – Ethiopia Coach Sewnet Bishaw

Ethiopian supporters displayed a banner saying sorry for their conduct in the Zambia game last week when they threw missiles on the field. “We apologise for our behaviour but we love the game,” it said.

Apology not accepted. Beef squashed.

By the way, this Group C Poll is now closed.

Results:

1) Nigeria (253 votes)
2) Zambia (201 votes)
3) Ethiopia (108 votes)
4) Burkina Faso (57 votes)

Voting is really subjective.

Omed Okuri is playing. Yeah!

Ethiopians have a history of discrimination against players who are not Amhara, Tigray or Oromo.

Really? That’s why they lost? Did they play to win? Ahead of the game, Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw said: “Before the match I will tell my players to play football and to gain experience out of a huge team like Nigeria. We are here to play football and everybody is surprised by our football. Our mission is to show the rest of the world that we can play football. That is the message to my players.”

Looks like the Ethiopian’s goal is Brazil 2014. Good planning. They need to expose their players to real football. Two footed lunges their players are making are scary.

“….everybody is surprised by our football….” – Ethiopia Coach Sewnet Bishaw

2 goalkeepers sent off. We are really surprised by their football

Their goal is Brazil 2014? How many African teams are going to be in Brazil? Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, … It seems there will be no spots left for Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire, ….

Bring on Ivory Coast.

Ayobi, remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Mikel will not play against Cote d’ Ivoire?

Mikel ‘out’ of quarterfinals, as Keshi dedicates win to Nigerians .
The Guardian – Nigeria (29 January 2013)

CHELSEA midfielder, John Mikel Obi, will miss the Super Eagles’ quarterfinal clash with Cote d’Ivoire if Confederation of African Football (CAF) ratified the two yellow cards he has received in the group stage of the on-going African Nations Cup.

CAF member, Emmanuel Maradas, told The Guardian after Tuesday’s game against Ethiopia that the body’s Competition Commission would meet today to look at the disciplinary records of the first round games, adding that with the two yellow cards, Mikel would be suspended for one game.

Team Coach, Stephen Keshi, was not forthcoming when asked of the implications of the Mikel situation, but he assured that whatever happened, Nigeria would beat Cote d’Ivoire in the quarterfinal.

Still savouring the euphoria of Tuesday’s victory, Keshi said the win was for Nigerians, who have stayed behind the Eagles even when the going was tough.

“We knew it was not going to be easy because the Ethiopians also wanted to progress, but we did not allow them to play their game.

“Now, we are going to prepare for the Elephants, which will be a different ball game. It will be difficult mentally; it will be 90 minutes of war on the pitch that day,” he said.

“Team Coach, Stephen Keshi, was not forthcoming when asked of the implications of the Mikel situation, but he assured that whatever happened, Nigeria would beat Cote d’Ivoire in the quarterfinal.”

Am proud of the boys. The coach made 8 changes but we only lost 2-0. First game we held defending champions to a 1-1 draw although we were reduced to 10 men. If it was 11 against 11 we would have punished Zambia.

@Moses Sichone, I’m now at 4 out of 6.

I got 5 of 6. I had Zambia making it to the 1/4 finals. Ivory Coast already qualified so I will end up with at least 6 correct. I have Tunisia over Togo and you have Togo over Tunisia. Unfortunately I will not watch the game because I am still mad about our exit yesterday.

The Ugandan…, 4 out of 6 is not good enough. Is “almost qualified” good enough?

By the way, Uganda Cranes first choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango (who also happens to be the 3rd choice goalkeeper at South Africa PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns) has said that he not surprised that Zambia failed to qualify for the quarter finals at the on-going 2013 Africa Cup of nations. “I think they were not good enough to qualify and were only lucky to even qualify.” Sour Grapes? Zambia beat Uganda on penalties to qualify for AFCON South Africa 2013

Moses, gutted?

Zambia coach Renard hits out at CAF
BBC Sport (30 January 2013)

Zambia coach Herve Renard has criticised African football’s ruling body for not giving them the chance to represent the continent at this year’s Confederations Cup.

The Confederations Cup, a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, is an event featuring continental champions.

Zambia, having won the Cup of Nations in 2012, would normally be flying the African flag in Brazil.

But the 2013 African champions, and not Chipolopolo, will go to South America.

This is due to the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to switch the Nations Cup from even to odd-number years to avoid clashing with the World Cup.

Renard, speaking out in the aftermath of his team’s first round exit in this year’s Nations Cup on Tuesday, felt Zambia should have been given the opportunity in a face-off against the team who will be crowned 2013 Nations Cup winners on 10 February.

“CAF are very happy that Zambia are not going to the Confederations Cup, they think we are not sexy or famous enough to represent Africa – that’s the truth,” said the Frenchman.

He added: “It would be fairer if the winner between the 2012 Nations Cup champions and the 2013 winners went.

“But it never entered their thinking; CAF don’t want us to go.

“They made their decision, and it is the 2013 Cup winners who will represent Africa, not us.

“Unfortunately, we were only champions for one year.”

Zambia’s title defence ended when three successive draws left them stranded in third place in Group C behind Burkina Faso and Nigeria.

Despite becoming the first champions since Algeria in 1992 to fail to progress to the knock-out stages, Renard praised his players.

“Everybody is sad but my players did their maximum, and I’m very proud of them.”

As for his own future as Zambia coach, Renard intimated that he would still be in the post to supervise their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

“Zambia’s not like other places in the world,” he said in a reference to the way some national coaches are asked to fall on their swords straight after a setback such as the one suffered by the fallen champions

Please note that CAF made the decision (that at the Confederation Cup CAF would be represented by AFCON 2013 Champions and not by AFCON 2012 Champions) long time ago (before the draw for the AFCON 2013 qualifiers). And the AFCON South Africa 2013 LOC CEO Mvuzo Mbebe said this in March 2012:

“The fact that winners of the tournament (AFCON 2013) will represent the continent at the Confederations Cup later in the year is a motivational factor that will increase the interest in the tournament. Everyone will want to win it for that reason and we should expect some great football from all the teams that will qualify.”

Cote d’ Ivoire vs Algeria

Cote d’ Ivoire: Yeboah, Boka, Ismael Traore, Toure, Lolo, Romaric, Razak, Kalou, Bony, Kone, Drogba. Subs: Barry, Zokora, Tiote, Gervinho, Konan, Gradel, Tiene, Lacina Traore, Toure, Eboue, Bamba, Ali Sangare.

Algeria: M’Bolhi, Halliche, Mesbah, Belkalem, Mostefa, Boudebouz, Lemmouchia, Guedioura, Lacen, Soudani, Slimani. Subs: Doukha, Cadamuro, Feghouli, Bouazza, Medjani, Aoudia, Kadir, Bezzaz, Tedjar, Ghoulam, Rial, Si Mohamed.

Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon)

You can watch the match live HERE

Click here for live commentary

Togo vs Tunisia

Togo: Atsu, Nibombe, Akakpo, Bossou, Mamah, Salifou, Amewou, Wome, Floyd Ayite, Adebayor, Jonathan Ayite. Subs: Agassa, Mani, Ouro-Akoriko, Segbefia, Romao, Gakpe, Placca, Ametepe, Donou, Djene, Damessi, Tchagouni.

Tunisia: Ben Cherifia, Hichri, Abdennour, Chammam, Khazri, Mouelhi, Traoui, Hammami, Darragi, M’Sakni, Khelifa. Subs: Ben Mustapha, Ifa, Baratli, Dhaouadi, Gharbi, Harbaoui, Ben Youssef, Ben Yahia, Dhaouadi, Jemaa, Boussaidi, Mathlouthi.

Referee: Daniel Bennet (South Africa)

You can watch the match live HERE

Click here for live commentary

Half Time: Cote d’ Ivoire 0:0 Algeria; Togo 1:1 Tunisia

13’ Togo 1:0 Tunisia (Serge Gakpe)
30’ Togo 1:1 Tunisia (Khaled Mouelhi – Penalty Kick)

Full Time: Cote d’ Ivoire 2:2 Algeria; Togo 1:1 Tunisia

64’ Goal!!! Cote d’ Ivoire 0:1 Algeria (Sofiane Feghouli – Penalty Kick)
70’ Goal!!! Cote d’ Ivoire 0:2 Algeria (Hilal Soudani)
76’ Missed Penalty Togo 1:1 Tunisia (Khaled Mouelhi – Tunisia)
77’ Goal!!! Cote d’ Ivoire 1:2 Algeria (Didier Drogba)
81’ Goal!!! Cote d’ Ivoire 2:2 Algeria (Wilfried Bony)

Cote d’ Ivoire and Togo through to the 1/4 Finals. Tunisia and Algeria out!

2013 AFCON 1/4 Finals: Win or Get Out!

Moses Sichone, how can you pick this hapless Tunisian team over Togo?

Anyway, I got 6/8 which is OK and better than the 3/8 you predicted I would get.

@sscouser, no hating! 6/8 is good and Onyango is not the Sundown’s 3rd choice!

“@sscouser, no hating! 6/8 is good and Onyango is not the Sundown’s 3rd choice” – The Ugandan…

6/8 is good? 6/8 = .75 = 75% = C (grade). You are content with a C? Half Good/Half Bad

“Onyango is not the Sundown’s 3rd choice“? Is Calvin Donovan Marlin not the Sundown’s 1st choice goalkeeper? Is Wayne Sandilands not the Sundown’s 2nd choice goalkeeper?

Is Wayne Sandilands not the Sundown’s 2nd choice goalkeeper?

Look at their website. How come Wayne is below Onyango?

Now that’s just silly They are listed in alphabetical order.

First Names: Calvin, Denis, Wayne
Last Names: Marlin, Onyango, Sandilands

By the way, Mamelodi Sundown’s last match was against Chippa United on 19 December 2012 and Wayne Sandilands was in goals. Denis Onyango was not even on the bench.