Africa Cup of Nations 2012 - Page 8

joew2005 · #**106** 31-01-2012, 06:15 AM

Group Stage

21 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya / Senegal 1-2 Zambia

22 Jan 2012
Group B : Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Sudan / Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola

23 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon 2-0 Niger / Morocco 1-2 Tunisia

24 Jan 2012
Group D : Ghana 1-0 Botswana / Mali 1-0 Guinea

25 Jan 2012
Group A : Libya 2-2 Zambia / Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal

26 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-2 Angola / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Burkina Faso

27 Jan 2012
Group C : Niger 1-2 Tunisia / Gabon 3-2 Morocco

28 Jan 2012
Group D : Botswana 1-6 Guinea / Ghana 2-0 Mali

29 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Zambia / Libya 2-1 Senegal

30 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-1 Burkina Faso / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Angola

30 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon vs Tunisia / Niger vs Morocco

1 Feb 2012
Group D : Botswana vs Mali / Ghana vs Guinea

Group A
Zambia P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Equatorial Guinea P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Libya P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Senegal P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0

Group B
Côte d'Ivoire P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Sudan P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Angola P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
Burkina Faso P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0

Group C
Gabon P2 W2 D0 L0 GF5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
Tunisia P2 W2 D0 L0 GF4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=6
Morocco P2 W0 D0 L2 GF3 GA5 GD-2 Pts=0
Niger P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=0

Group D
Ghana P2 W2 D0 L0 GF3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=6
Guinea P2 W1 D0 L1 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=3
Mali P2 W1 D0 L1 GF1 GA2 GD-1 Pts=3
Botswana P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA7 GD-6 Pts=0

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 - Zambia vs Sudan / Côte d'Ivoire vs Equatorial Guinea
5 Feb 2012 - Group C Winner vs Group D Runner-up / Group D Winner vs Group C Runner-up

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia/Sudan vs Group C Winner/Group D Runner-up
Côte d'Ivoire/Equatorial Guinea vs Group D Winner/Group C Runner-up

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)

2 goals -
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Guinea(Sadio Diallo)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka & Christopher Katongo)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Abdoul Camara, Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Bakaye Traoré)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**107** 31-01-2012, 08:18 PM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...c-exit?cc=4716

Senegal left soul-searching
January 30, 2012

4 some, a road without any obstacles can be just as tricky 2 travel on as 1 tat is punctured with potholes. Some like Senegal.

Without record-breaking continental giants Egypt, heavyweights Cameroon & Nigeria in the ongoing African Nations Cup (ANC), the path was considered clear 4 the likes of them, Ghana or Ivory Coast 2 emerge champions. But, Senegal will not get anywhere near the trophy aft finishing Group A in last place. They limped out of the tournament without a single victory, despite being FIFA ranked the highest of the 4 teams in their pool, 20 places abv the nearest challenger, Libya.

When considered in context, their failure is nothing new. The Teranga Lions hv never been the best on the continent & r noted 4 squandering chances 2 achieve tat. Wat is new is the depths they hv plunged in exiting the competition. The inability 2 perform as a unit, possible distractions fr club commitments overseas & most worryingly, the absence of the hunger tat is often associated with countries @ a continental showpiece is wat will emerge as Senegal's most concerning issues in the aftermath of another ANC exit.

"The Senegal team has no soul," El Hadji-Diouf, former national player & 2-time African footballer of the year, told Orange Sport. His agenda was unmasked as he went on 2 attack ex-team-mate & current national coach Amara Traore. "I hv always said tat Amara Traore knows nothing. He doesn't hv the level of experience & knowledge 2 handle the team."

Diouf, who currently plays 4 Doncaster Rovers, is unashamedly of the opinion tat Senegal's football federation would be better off if it turned 2 some of the other stars of Senegal's 2002 success, such as himself. Diouf, as well as Traore, were part of the squad tat reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Japan & South Korea. Tat squad also ended runners-up @ the ANC but Senegal hv failed 2 match or better those feats since.

"The FA ppl r jealous of Senegal's 2002 generation. They don't 1 us 2 associate with the team," Diouf said. "Some of us hv experience. I'm completing my coaching course in England & I could be useful 2 the team but they hv mixed politics with football in Senegal & things will never change." Diouf has been banned for 5 years by his country's football federation aft accusing officials of corruption last year.

Diouf's comments r solely driven by self-interest but he makes pertinent points abt the sometimes dysfunctional operations of the country's football. The last 4 years hv been particularly topsy-turvy as Senegal tried everything 2 replicate their glory days. In 2008, their Polish coach Henri Kasperczak resigned midway thru the ANC campaign aft Senegal lost their chance @ qualifying 4 the quarter-finals. Lamine N'diaye, who is currently in charge of TP Mazambe, took over.

In his 1st 3 months he was unable 2 travel anywhere while the federation had 2 regroup following a dramatic implosion. More than 30 members of the federation resigned, leaving those who were left 2 grope in the dark. N'diaye's rough beginnings, in which he won twice in 8t matches, became problems of exponential proportions when Senegal failed 2 qualify 4 the 2010 continental cup & bowed out of contention 4 the World Cup.

He also got the boot, opening the door 4 Traore's reign. Under him, Senegal incorporated younger players 2 develop a good blend, climbed the rankings & beat Cameroon on their way 2 the 2012 event, earning the tag as 1 of its favourites. Now, all Traore can do is plead 4 a 2nd chance & argue tat dismantling the structures & starting again would only result in more setbacks.

The coach is asking 4 time 2 build, something tat Senegal hv not afforded their football in the recent past. They need only look 2 their fellow favourites, who r still in the competition, 2 see the value in his request. While only Senegal's captain, Mamadou Niang & vice-captain, Omar Daf, hv played more than 50 internationals, Ghana's squad has 5 players who hv represented their country more than 50 times & Ivory Coast has 9.

"My team cannot be compared 2 Cote d'Ivoire & Ghana in terms of experience," Traore lamented. "It is a young team tat showed character. "Senior members of the team agree. "The current squad is young, talented & very willing," Daf said. "We all need 2 keep calm & 1st see wat went wrong b4 drawing drastic conclusions."

1 of Senegal's worries is the inability 2 score as many goals as they seem capable of. Despite creating numerous chances, they found the back of the net just 3 times. With strikers Demba Ba & Papiss Demba Cisse in their XI, they were expected 2 do so on many more occasions. The pair, who both play @ Newcastle United, did not manage a single goal betw them despite glowing club records, lending weight 2 the 1-foot-on-the-plane argument tat has long hovered over ANC.

Only 2 members of Senegal's ANC squad, both goalkeepers, actually play their football in the country of their birth. 9 others ply their trade in France, 5 in England, 3 in Turkey, 1 in Spain, 1 in Denmark & 1 in Qatar. All of them hv ongoing leagues 2 play in & some will reportedly turn out 4 their clubs as early as later tis week now tat the Senegal's run @ ANC is over.

The tournament need not worry abt tis affecting it in the future as it will be moved 2 June fr next year but the commitment of the Senegalese squad will be questioned as their attempts 2 do the nation proud seemed half-hearted. In a group tat consisted of a host nation hoping 2 defy the odds, a country who were still high on the fumes of revolution & another who sniff a genuine chance 2 lift the trophy, Senegal needed more than just heart 2 compete & win. Like Equatorial Guinea, Libya & Zambia, they lacked wat Diouf accurately described in his tirade. Senegal just did not hv enough soul.

joew2005 · #**108** 31-01-2012, 09:06 PM

Current Standings
Côte d'Ivoire(1) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Zambia(16) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Equatorial Guinea(41) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Sudan(30) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4

Gabon(20) P2 W2 D0 L0 GF5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
Ghana(2) P2 W2 D0 L0 GF3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=6
Tunisia(10) P2 W2 D0 L0 GF4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=6
Guinea(17) P2 W1 D0 L1 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=3
Mali(15) P2 W1 D0 L1 GF1 GA2 GD-1 Pts=3

Morocco(12) P2 W0 D0 L2 GF3 GA5 GD-2 Pts=0
Niger(22) P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=0
Botswana(21) P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA7 GD-6 Pts=0

Libya(13) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Angola(19) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
Senegal(5) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0
Burkina Faso(14) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0

joew2005 · #**109** 01-02-2012, 04:02 AM

Group Stage

21 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya / Senegal 1-2 Zambia

22 Jan 2012
Group B : Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Sudan / Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola

23 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon 2-0 Niger / Morocco 1-2 Tunisia

24 Jan 2012
Group D : Ghana 1-0 Botswana / Mali 1-0 Guinea

25 Jan 2012
Group A : Libya 2-2 Zambia / Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal

26 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-2 Angola / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Burkina Faso

27 Jan 2012
Group C : Niger 1-2 Tunisia / Gabon 3-2 Morocco

28 Jan 2012
Group D : Botswana 1-6 Guinea / Ghana 2-0 Mali

29 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Zambia / Libya 2-1 Senegal

30 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-1 Burkina Faso / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Angola

31 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon 1-0 Tunisia / Niger 0-1 Morocco

1 Feb 2012
Group D : Botswana vs Mali / Ghana vs Guinea

Group A
Zambia P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Equatorial Guinea P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Libya P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Senegal P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0

Group B
Côte d'Ivoire P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Sudan P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Angola P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
Burkina Faso P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0

Group C
Gabon P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Tunisia P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Morocco P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Niger P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0

Group D
Ghana P2 W2 D0 L0 GF3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=6
Guinea P2 W1 D0 L1 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=3
Mali P2 W1 D0 L1 GF1 GA2 GD-1 Pts=3
Botswana P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA7 GD-6 Pts=0

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 - Zambia vs Sudan / Côte d'Ivoire vs Equatorial Guinea
5 Feb 2012 - Gabon vs Group D Runner-up / Group D Winner vs Tunisia

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia/Sudan vs Gabon/Group D Runner-up
Côte d'Ivoire/Equatorial Guinea vs Group D Winner/Tunisia

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)

2 goals -
Guinea(Sadio Diallo)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka & Christopher Katongo)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Abdoul Camara, Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Bakaye Traoré)
Morocco(Younès Belhanda)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**110** 01-02-2012, 04:08 AM

Current Standings
Côte d'Ivoire(1) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Gabon(20) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Zambia(16) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Tunisia(10) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Equatorial Guinea(41) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Sudan(30) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4

Ghana(2) P2 W2 D0 L0 GF3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=6
Guinea(17) P2 W1 D0 L1 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=3
Mali(15) P2 W1 D0 L1 GF1 GA2 GD-1 Pts=3

Botswana(21) P2 W0 D0 L2 GF1 GA7 GD-6 Pts=0

Libya(13) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Angola(19) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
Morocco(12) P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Senegal(5) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0
Burkina Faso(14) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0
Niger(22) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0

joew2005 · #**111** 02-02-2012, 06:31 AM

Group Stage

21 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya / Senegal 1-2 Zambia

22 Jan 2012
Group B : Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Sudan / Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola

23 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon 2-0 Niger / Morocco 1-2 Tunisia

24 Jan 2012
Group D : Ghana 1-0 Botswana / Mali 1-0 Guinea

25 Jan 2012
Group A : Libya 2-2 Zambia / Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal

26 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-2 Angola / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Burkina Faso

27 Jan 2012
Group C : Niger 1-2 Tunisia / Gabon 3-2 Morocco

28 Jan 2012
Group D : Botswana 1-6 Guinea / Ghana 2-0 Mali

29 Jan 2012
Group A : Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Zambia / Libya 2-1 Senegal

30 Jan 2012
Group B : Sudan 2-1 Burkina Faso / Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Angola

31 Jan 2012
Group C : Gabon 1-0 Tunisia / Niger 0-1 Morocco

1 Feb 2012
Group D : Botswana 1-2 Mali / Ghana 1-1 Guinea

Group A
Zambia P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Equatorial Guinea P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Libya P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Senegal P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0

Group B
Côte d'Ivoire P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Sudan P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
Angola P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
Burkina Faso P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0

Group C
Gabon P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Tunisia P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Morocco P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Niger P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0

Group D
Ghana P3 W2 D1 L0 GF4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=7
Mali P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA3 GD0 Pts=6
Guinea P3 W1 D1 L1 GF7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=4
Botswana P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA9 GD-7 Pts=0

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 - Zambia vs Sudan / Côte d'Ivoire vs Equatorial Guinea
5 Feb 2012 - Gabon vs Mali / Ghana vs Tunisia

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia/Sudan vs Gabon/Mali
Côte d'Ivoire/Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana/Tunisia

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)

2 goals -
Guinea(Sadio Diallo & Abdoul Camara,)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka & Christopher Katongo)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Mogakolodi Ngele,Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Garra Dembélé, Seydou Keita & Bakaye Traoré)
Morocco(Younès Belhanda)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**112** 02-02-2012, 06:38 AM

Current Standings
Côte d'Ivoire(1) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Gabon(20) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Ghana(2) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=7
Zambia(16) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Tunisia(10) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Equatorial Guinea(41) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Mali(15) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA3 GD0 Pts=6
Sudan(30) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4

9) Guinea(17) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=4
10) Libya(13) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
11) Angola(19) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
12) Morocco(12) P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
13) Senegal(5) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0
14) Burkina Faso(14) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0
15) Niger(22) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0
16) Botswana(21) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA9 GD-7 Pts=0

joew2005 · #**113** 02-02-2012, 05:13 PM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...hearts?cc=4716

Sudan - Africa's newest sweethearts
February 1, 2012

East Africa had only 1 representative @ the African Nations' Cup & most thought it wasn't a very good 1. @ least, not recently.

Having not made an appearance in the event for 32 years betw 1976 & 2008, Sudan returned 4 years ago 2 endure a treble of 3-0 thrashings. Then, they disappeared again only 2 come back stronger. Not only did they end their goal drought in a 2-2 draw with Angola but they progressed 2 the last 8 aft stunning Africa Burkino Faso.

Sudan's progression 2 the quarter-finals is not only justification 4 building a national team in a domestic league, it is also a show of strength 4 a footballing country tat has withstood 2 Civil Wars, a coup & ongoing humanitarian crisis. There may not be food in Darfur, but there is football.

In spite of their numerous political & economic issues, Sudan hv managed 2 spend time & $ readying their team 4 tis tournament as they search 4 a repeat of the glory days of 1970 & b4, when they were 1 of Africa's powerhouses. The current ANC has dismantled tat theory 2 some degree, fr the qualifying stages when minnows Botswana became the 1st team 2 book their place, 2 the current last-8 line-up, which is without Senegal.

Those countries which hv emerged fr the shadows seem 2 hv 1 thing in common: continuity. Sudan hv stuck with the same coach, Mohamad Abdalla Mazda, & his team since 2006. They hv allowed him 2 mould his own squad, even if he has 2 select players who don't often get a regular game 4 their club, & the only interference fr government was actually a positive 1.

Sudan's president, Omar Al Bashir, has taken a particular interest in sport, & football, in recent times. On 1 of his visits 2 Qatar, the Sudanese president was able 2 get a guarantee fr the Emir tat Qatar would provide funding & a training base 2 Sudan's ANC team. In January, Sudan trained in Doha, matches were organised against Qatari clubs & there was even talk of a subsidy 2 secure a more high-profile coach.

Mazda remains in charge, though, & his intricate knowledge of the Sudanese system has resulted in a national team tat has thrived. All but 4 of the ANC squad came fr Sudan's two biggest clubs, Al Merreikh & Al Hilah, who contest 1 of the continents greatest derbies. Both r institutions, with histories going back 103 & 81 years respectively. Al Merreikh even produces its own sports newspaper, which has printed daily since 1965.

The popularity of the 2 clubs has meant tat there is a glut of players, fr all over the continent, plying their trade there & some of the members of the Sudanese national squad do not get regular game time. It was a concern the coach said he monitored carefully. "All 14 teams hv @ least 1 foreign striker," he told the BBC. But, both clubs hv turned professional in the last few years, meaning tat the local players who do come thru r of a decent quality.

Mudather El Tahir, whose double strike ensured Sudan will play in the last 8, is a product of Al Hilal, 4 whom he has played 62 times. He demonstrated flair & enterprise in his ability 2 find the back of the net but like of lot of his team, has an unpolished edge tat could cost Sudan going 4ward.

Not yet as tight a unit as champions r deemed 2 be, Sudan hv been reckless, & @ times lazy, in defence, perhaps a sign of their inexperience. With an average age of 24, they r 1 of the youngest teams in the competition & their coach believes they r rapidly earning respect greater than their rankings (Sudan r the 2nd lowest ranked team in tis year's ANC) & building up the reputations of a team tat was 1s a giant in the footballing arena.

Sudan hv had 2 start as mere men but r beginning 2 create a legacy of their own. When Libya were knocked out it was believed the chance of a fairytale story were over but Sudan hv taken their place, albeit in a slightly different fashion.

Like the North African country, Sudan faced internal strife of their own, but unlike them the conflict did not influence football. With the secession of South Sudan, 1 would imagine the issue had dripped down 2 sporting level as well. Wat if, 4 example, some1 played 4 the national team but would no longer be a national becos they were fr the South?

Tat theory was never tested. The Sudanese national team did not hv a single player fr the south in their ranks as most of the clubs r concentrated in the north, & if u ask people fr the new state, is a reflection of the ongoing discrimination tat has affected people there. Unlike in Libya, a revolution of sorts had absolutely no real impact on Sudan & its football. Subliminally it may hv, but South Sudan is now bidding 4 FIFA membership & the chance 2 compete as an independent nation.

At 1 point people in Sudanese football spoke abt sport being a vehicle 4 peace betw the 2 regions. Those thoughts hv long been shelved as the North & the South look 2 build separate futures. Instead, the focus 4 Sudan is on something else - a shot @ a 1st ever World Cup appearance in Brazil in 2014. It remains a long shot, as they must win a group which features Ghana, Zambia & Lesotho, but so did their progression in tis tournament.

joew2005 · #**114** 02-02-2012, 08:41 PM

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 - Zambia(16) vs Sudan(30) / Côte d'Ivoire(1) vs Equatorial Guinea(41)
5 Feb 2012 - Gabon(20) vs Mali(15) / Ghana(2) vs Tunisia(10)

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia/Sudan vs Gabon/Mali
Côte d'Ivoire/Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana/Tunisia

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)

2 goals -
Guinea(Sadio Diallo & Abdoul Camara,)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka & Christopher Katongo)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Mogakolodi Ngele,Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Garra Dembélé, Seydou Keita & Bakaye Traoré)
Morocco(Younès Belhanda)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**115** 05-02-2012, 03:42 AM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...l-spot?cc=4716

Zambia book semi-final spot
February 4, 2012

Zambia booked their place in the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup 4 the 1st time in 16 years aft a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan.

Zambia were hardly troubled aft Stophira Sunzu's 15th-minute opener & 2nd-half goals fr skipper Christopher Katongo & James Chamanga ensured their progress.

Sudan's hopes were effectively ended with the 64th-minute dismissal of Saifeldin Ali as he gave away a penalty which Katongo had initially seen saved b4 driving in the rebound.

It meant Herve Renard's side moved a step closer 2 a dream final in Libreville, Gabon, next week.

At present the city is most associated in Zambia with 1 of the country's most tragic events, when a plane carrying the Zambian national side refuelled there b4 crashing into the Atlantic Ocean in 1993, killing all 30 people on board.

A minute's silence was observed b4 Saturday's match in Bata 4 the victims of tis week's stadium riot in Egypt.

joew2005 · #**116** 05-02-2012, 03:46 AM

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 : Zambia(16) 3-0 Sudan(30) / Côte d'Ivoire(1) vs Equatorial Guinea(41)
5 Feb 2012 : Gabon(20) vs Mali(15) / Ghana(2) vs Tunisia(10)

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia vs Gabon/Mali
Côte d'Ivoire/Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana/Tunisia

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)
Zambia(Christopher Katongo)

2 goals -
Guinea(Sadio Diallo & Abdoul Camara,)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Mogakolodi Ngele,Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Garra Dembélé, Seydou Keita & Bakaye Traoré)
Morocco(Younès Belhanda)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba, Stophira Sunzu & James Chamanga)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**117** 05-02-2012, 03:47 AM

Current Standings
Zambia(16) P4 W3 D1 L0 GF8 GA3 GD+5 Pts=10

Côte d'Ivoire(1) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF5 GA0 GD+5 Pts=9
Gabon(20) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Ghana(2) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=7
Tunisia(10) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Equatorial Guinea(41) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=6
Mali(15) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA3 GD0 Pts=6

8) Sudan(30) P4 W1 D1 L2 GF4 GA7 GD-3 Pts=4
9) Guinea(17) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=4
10) Libya(13) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
11) Angola(19) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
12) Morocco(12) P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
13) Senegal(5) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0
14) Burkina Faso(14) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0
15) Niger(22) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0
16) Botswana(21) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA9 GD-7 Pts=0

joew2005 · #**118** 05-02-2012, 05:52 AM

Quarter-Finals
4 Feb 2012 : Zambia(16) 3-0 Sudan(30) / Côte d'Ivoire(1) 3-0 Equatorial Guinea(41)
5 Feb 2012 : Gabon(20) vs Mali(15) / Ghana(2) vs Tunisia(10)

Semi-Finals on 8 Feb 2012 –
Zambia vs Gabon/Mali
Côte d'Ivoire vs Ghana/Tunisia

Finals on 12 Feb 2012 –

Goal Scorers
3 goals -
Angola(Manucho)
Côte d'Ivoire(Didier Drogba)
Gabon(Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)
Morocco(Houssine Kharja)
Zambia(Christopher Katongo)

2 goals -
Guinea(Sadio Diallo & Abdoul Camara,)
Libya(Ahmed Saad Osman & Ihaab Boussefi)
Sudan(Mohammed Ahmed Bashir & Mudather El Tahir)
Tunisia(Youssef Msakni)
Zambia(Emmanuel Mayuka)

1 goal -
Angola(Mateus Galiano da Costa)
Botswana(Mogakolodi Ngele,Dipsy Selolwane & Issiaka Ouédraogo)
Burkina Faso(Alain Traoré)
Côte d'Ivoire(Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony, Yaya Touré & Salomon Kalou)
Equatorial Guinea(Javier Balboa, Iban Iyanga & Kily Álvarez)
Gabon(Daniel Cousin, Bruno Mbanangoyé Zita & Stéphane N'Guéma)
Ghana(Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan & André Ayew)
Guinea(Ibrahima Traoré, Mamadou Bah & Naby Soumah)
Mali(Garra Dembélé, Seydou Keita & Bakaye Traoré)
Morocco(Younès Belhanda)
Niger(William Tonji N'Gounou)
Senegal(Deme N'Diaye, Dame N'Doye & Moussa Sow)
Tunisia(Khaled Korbi & Issam Jemâa)
Zambia(Rainford Kalaba, Stophira Sunzu & James Chamanga)

Own goal -
Burkina Faso(Bakary Koné)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations

joew2005 · #**119** 05-02-2012, 05:55 AM

Team statistics
Côte d'Ivoire(1) P4 W4 D0 L0 GF8 GA0 GD+8 Pts=12
Zambia(16) P4 W3 D1 L0 GF8 GA3 GD+5 Pts=10

Gabon(20) P3 W3 D0 L0 GF6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=9
Ghana(2) P3 W2 D1 L0 GF4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=7
Tunisia(10) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=6
Mali(15) P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA3 GD0 Pts=6

7) Equatorial Guinea(41) P4 W2 D0 L2 GF3 GA5 GD-2 Pts=6
8) Sudan(30) P4 W1 D1 L2 GF4 GA7 GD-3 Pts=4
9) Guinea(17) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=4
10) Libya(13) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4 GD0 Pts=4
11) Angola(19) P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=4
12) Morocco(12) P3 W1 D0 L2 GF4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
13) Senegal(5) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0
14) Burkina Faso(14) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=0
15) Niger(22) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=0
16) Botswana(21) P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA9 GD-7 Pts=0

joew2005 · #**120** 05-02-2012, 08:08 AM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...l-spot?cc=4716

Ivory Coast and Zambia reach semis
February 4, 2012

Didier Drogba scored twice aft missing a penalty & Yaya Toure put the seal on Ivory Coast's quarter-final victory over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea @ the African Nations Cup.

The Premier League pair did the damage in Malabo as the tournament favourites marched thru 2 a semi-final meeting with Gabon or Mali follwoing a 3-0 victory @ the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.

Ivory Coast were back 2 full strength aft resting a host of stars 4 their final group game, & tat added up 2 danger 4 Equatorial Guinea, who had Laurence Doe back fr suspension.

Aft a slow start, Ivory Coast began 2 step up the pace of their play midway thru the 1st half, & Gervinho, Toure & Max Gradel threatened 2 open the scoring b4 Didier Zokora was brought down 2 bring abt a penalty.

Goalkeeper Danilo kept out the Chelsea striker's spot-kick, but could not prevent him firing the Ivorians ahead in the 36th minute aft a defensive mix-up.

A thrilling run fr Gervinho midway thru the 2nd half saw the Arsenal 4ward wind his way in2 a threatening position but he lost control @ the critical moment, when he should hv been firing the ball past Danilo.

It did not matter becos Ivory Coast doubled their lead aft 70 mins when Drogba headed in a fine 2nd goal fr Toure's free-kick.

With the ManC midfielder pulling the strings in midfield & Drogba a serious menace 2 any defence in tis competition, it is little wonder many hv tipped Ivory Coast fr b4 the tournament.

Toure showed his pedigree again fr a set-piece with 8 mins remaining when he curled home a fine strike 2 make absolutely certain of victory.

Zambia booked their place in the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup 4 the 1st time in 16 years aft a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan.

Zambia were hardly troubled aft Stophira Sunzu's 15th-minute opener & 2nd-half goals fr skipper Christopher Katongo & James Chamanga ensured their progress.

Sudan's hopes were effectively ended with the 64th-minute dismissal of Saifeldin Ali as he gave away a penalty which Katongo had initially seen saved b4 driving in the rebound.

It meant Herve Renard's side moved a step closer 2 a dream final in Libreville, Gabon, next week.

@ present the city is most associated in Zambia with 1 of the country's most tragic events, when a plane carrying the Zambian national side refuelled there b4 crashing into the Atlantic Ocean in 1993, killing all 30 people on board.

A minute's silence was observed b4 Saturday's match in Bata 4 the victims of tis week's stadium riot in Egypt.