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Goals are on short supply in South Africa as the 2013 African Cup of Nations enters its first full week.

BFA President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa (WFI)

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

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Nigeria Monday night, marked their return to Africa Cup of Nations with a fumbling 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in a Group C match at the Mbombela Stadium

In a largely uneventful game watched by vuvuzela-sounding fans, Emmanuel Emenike edged the Nigerians in front in the 23rd minute but sloppy defending by Godfrey Oboabona and Joseph Yobo gifted the Burnikabes a precious and well deserved draw, after Alain Traore equalised in the  last minute of injury time.

For most period of the game, the Eagles looked out of sorts as they failed to stamp authority in a match that a first half goal ought to have given them the confidence to play better than they did.  Save for Mikel, the others were making textbook errors. Mikel was voted man of the match.  The goal by Emenike was the only silver lining that the Nigerian could hold on to.

It was a real poacher’s goal from the Spartak Moscow forward, who dived to poke the ball home from close range ahead of the onrushing Burkina Faso goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama, after a deft knockdown from strike partner  Brown Ideye.

But after the goal, the Eagles threw caution into the wind as they were booked for reckless fouls. The likes of Fegor Ogude, Efe Ambrose, Nosa Igiebor, Mikel all got booked by the Algerian referee. Efe pulled a defender’s shirt and this earned him the red card.

The one man advantage paid for the Burkinabes, who mounted pressure on the  Eagles and deservedly got their equaliser in the 94th minute.

Jonathan Pitroipa got clear in the penalty area but the chance looked to have been wasted as he put in a poor cut back while falling over. But the centre back pair of Yobo and Oboabona, then got in each others way, allowing substitute Alain Traore  to expertly place his shot past Vincent Enyeama.

Were you disappointed with the Eagles performance? Can you bank on them? Do you see Nigeria qualifying from this group stage? What is your advice to Keshi?

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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 Bafana Bafana failed to win their Afcon 2013 opener against Cape Verde on Saturday at the National Stadium and on Wednesday they have the opportunity to redeem themselves at the Moses Mabhida Stadium when they face Angola.

As South Africa did, Angola played to a goalless draw in their opening game, and are looking for their first win of the African footballing extravaganza. All four teams in Group A, including Morocco, are sat on equal points, with qualification to the next round still up for grabs

With all the four teams sitting on one point, Bafana’ Thuso Phala feels that they must grab the opportunity of bagging all three points. The Platinum Stars player told the Siya crew that as players, they know it is up to them do deliver.

 “Since Angola and Morocco also played to a draw it is like starting all over for all the teams and we have to do it this time around. It is in our own hands now. All teams have a point each and this means that if we win the remaining two games we could qualify for quarter-finals and we have to start against Angola.  

“It is like back to the first game and if we win then, we can go all the way. We should improve on our first game performance for us to score and win this one. All we need are goals,” Phala expressed.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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In the absence of Cameroon and Samuel Eto’o from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, the opening round of matches from Group D sees arguably the tournament’s two headline strikers take the stage as Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast take on Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo.

Both forwards come into this tournament in starkly contrasting circumstances. As captain of the Elephants, the legendary Drogba is the undoubted leader in a star-studded squad that is finally attempting to lift the continental trophy after two final defeats on penalties, in 2006 and last year in 2012. For Drogba, lifting the title in Soccer City on the February 10 would crown a career that has seen him win everything, except that elusive international title.

On the other hand, Adebayor’s mere participation in this tournament has been in question for some time. After retiring from international football after the tragedy of Togo’s last appearance in the Cup of Nations in 2010, when the team was forced to withdraw after the coach in which they were travelling came under gunfire in Angola, the Tottenham striker returned to the international fold last year.

However, despite helping his side qualify for South Africa 2013, Adebayor has toyed between taking part in the competition, citing fears for his personal safety after the events of Angola 2010, rows over payments – as seems to be the norm with the Togo national team – and the desires of his club manager Andre Villas-Boas, who had been keen to retain his services.

But Adebayor has indeed travelled and will certainly spearhead the Sparrow Hawks’ starting XI as they face the unenviable prospect of trying to contain an Ivory Coast side that, besides Drogba, can also call upon Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Arouna Kone. The Elephants though have had the majority of those names for every tournament since 2006 but it would not be a stretch to say that they have yet to truly take an Africa Cup of Nations by storm.

Often they have looked cagey, as if weighed down by the huge pressure on their shoulders. If Togo can keep it tight at the back and give Adebayor enough chances, then a shock early result could be on the cards. However, one would expect that after last year’s disappointment and with a highly motivated Drogba, Sabri Lamouchi’s team should have enough to come through.

The group’s other game sees an all-North African clash as Tunisia face Algeria in what looks to be a vital game to decide who progresses alongside the Ivory Coast into the quarter-finals. Though both have inexperienced squads compared to those of yesteryear, both were quietly confident coming into the tournament, though surprisingly it is Algeria who actually boast the greater names in European football, with Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli looking to build on a breakthrough year by showcasing his prodigious talent to the tournament. Expect a relatively tight encounter with only the odd goal in it if either side are to indeed make the breakthrough.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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Mali duo, Samba Diakite and Modibo Maiga are racing against time to be fit for their Group B day two clash with Ghana’s Black Stars on Thursday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The two midfielders were briefly involved in training last Monday and the team physicians are working feverishly to get them to their best for the crucial game, the third meeting between the two teams within a year.

Both Samba and Maiga play for English clubs; Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United respectively, and are key performers for head coach Patrice Carteron.

Whilst Samba made a second half appearance against Niger last Sunday, Maiga was an unused substitute as Les Aigles picked the maximum points at the expense of the Mena thanks to a Seydou Keita goal to go two points clear at the top.

“We are waiting for them to be given the green-light to play. They are showing positive signs at training and we can only take a decision on them after Wednesday’s training,” said Carteron.

Victory for the Malians against the Black Stars will move them a step closer towards a place at the knockout stage.

Les Aigles were bronze winners at the last edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, beating the Black Stars 2-0 to claim the prize.

Source: GNA

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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 Reuters

Nigeria lost out in the last second of the game against Burkina Faso to claim a point. Alain Traore scored in the 93rd minute to claim a share of the spoils and cancel the first half goal scored by Emmanuel Emenike.

The Super Eagles returned to the Nations Cup stage against the Stallions of Burkina Faso and had the early running and could have scored the opener in the seventh minute when Brown Ideye looked in on goal but the situation was rescued by Bacary Kone though it could have been blown for a penalty.

Captain Joseph Yobo made two consecutive mistakes which were almost gobbled up by Mamadou Dagano. The midfield battle was fierce with Fegor Ogude and Nosa Igiebor flattening Bacary Kone and Florent Boumba successively.

The goal finally came in the 23rd minute with a good ball floated beyond the Stallions’ defence from Mikel Obi and Ideye’s back-heeled pass is bundled in by Emmanuel Emenike.

Ogude then got yellow carded in the 24th minute for a foul on Jonathan Pitroipa and in the 37th minute, Efe Ambrose gets the second yellow card of the game for a foul on Bonce.

Ahmed Musa shot through the leg of a defender in the 40th minute but the shot was easily gathered by Abdoulaye Soulama.

The second half started with the Stallions pushing forward and Dagano almost gave them the equaliser in the 49 minute and Pitroipa went down in the 54th asking for a penalty but referee waved play on.

Burkina Faso continued to push forward through substitute Wilfred Sanou on the right wing and Dagano tested Vincent Enyeama on 62th minutes which Enyeama parried for a corner kick.

Ikechukwu Uche came on for Emenike in the 57th minute and should have scored in the 65 minute off a cut back from Musa and after settling himself blasted way off target.

Ambrose was shown a second yellow card on 73rd minutes for a slight touch on Pitroipa. The touch was innocuous at best but the Celtic defender had to walk.

Stephen Keshi brought on Kenneth Omeruo for Ideye to fill the vacated right back slot. Uche had another chance in the 81 minute but he blasted wide off target again.

Thereafter it was a tense affair with the Eagles keen to keep their advantage and the Stallions pressing forward their numerical supremacy.  Mikel Obi had a chance to settle the tie in the 87th minute but he blasted wide. And all the missed chances came back to bite the Eagles as substitute Alain Traore snatched a point with the last kick of the game.

The Burkinabes will next contend with the determined Walya of Ethiopia while the Super Eagles must find a way around the Chipolopolo on Friday at the Mbombela Stadium, who will be more determined after their lacklustre 1-1 draw against Ethiopia.

HOW THEY STAND IN GROUP C

            Team                  Pl        W         D          L         GF      GA     GD+/-   Pts

            Zambia               1          0          1          0          1          1          0          1

            Ethiopia              1          0          1          0          1          1          0          1

            Nigeria                1          0          1          0          1          1          0          1

            Burkina Faso      1          0          1          0          1          1          0          1

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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Côte d’Ivoire start off their Africa Cup of Nations 2013 against the Sparrow hawks of Togo in Group D, on Tuesday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

The Elephants are on the warpath in search of their second continental crown following that of 1992, and will try to forget their repeated failures of 2006 and 2012 which saw them defeated in both finals, following penalty shootouts against Egypt and Zambia.

Tunisian born French Coach Sabri Lamouchi who replaced François Zahoui last May will count on the experience of his charges led by former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Manchester City duo of Toure brothers (Yaya and Kolo), Arsenal’s Gervinho plus striker Arouna Kone among others.

And for their big debut in the South African tournament, the Elephants are rearing to go with a full house and no injury concerns.

But Togo refuse to wear the loser’s badge as a foregone conclusion for their debut at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Despite a warm-up period perturbed by internal conflict, the coach of the Sparrow hawks Didier Six can count on Emmanuel Adebayor, Alaixys Romao and many of his other stars to lead the way.

Labelled the underdogs of Group D, the Togolese national team have every intention of being a killjoy at this Afcon CAN 2013.

This match will be followed by a 100% Maghrebi affair between Algeria and Tunisia, the two other teams in Group D.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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The winner of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament will bag $1.5million as well as bragging rights until the 2015 tournament.

The Confederation of African Football will spend $10million on prize money as the runners-up will get a cool $1million, while the the semi-finalists bag $750,000 each.

Below is the list of prize money and how much will be paid to each of the participants, depending on where they finish.

Winner: $1.500.000
Losing finalist: $1.000.000
Semi-finalist: $750.000

Quarter-finalist: $600.000
Third-place in group: $500.000 each
Fourth-place in group: $400,000 each.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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CÔTE D’IVOIRE will want to show their intention early on in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Togo at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium today.

The Elephants are without a doubt the favourites to not only top Group D, that includes Togo, Algeria and Tunisia, but to win the tournament overall.

Ivorian stars Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and Gervinho add to this credence of being Africa’s best team.

Coupled with the unexpected loss to Zambia at the 2012 AFCON final, and one has a team arguably more motivated than the rest.

“I must remind you that Netherlands had a side everyone said were the best for years and they never won a trophy,” Drogba said.

On the other hand, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure shied away from favourites label bestowed upon his country.

“It’s true that we are the favourite team and when you have that status you have to take advantage of the quality and experience that you have in our team,” said the 2011 African Player of the Year.

“We know we have to do better than last year when we lost the final to a better Zambia team. We have almost the same team back again, so it’s matter of focus and determination.”

Ivory Coast’s starting line-up is no secret as Drogba, Gervinho, the Toure brothers and Zokora are regulars as opposed to Togo, of whom little is known except the inner-team strife.

Togo captain and striker Emmanuel Adebayor is without a doubt their most recognised player, and after much confusion, will participate at AFCON.

The Tottenham ace initially refused to come to South Africa amid security fears, and then was dramatically dropped before a Togo Football Association manager stepped in.

With internal wrangles a norm for the Sparrow Hawks, it appears that the Elephants will have a straightforward task.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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IVORY Coast midfielder Yaya Toure says his side are ready to challenge for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations despite the strong opposition that they will face.

The Elephants go into the tournament as one of the top favourites, and the Manchester City star says they are prepared mentally and physically.

“We have prepared in very good conditions in the United Arab Emirates and also here in South Africa,” Toure told Le Buteur.

“We are working in a good atmosphere. I think the group is well prepared for the African Cup of Nations.”

Sabri Lamouchi’s side will start their campaign against Togo at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, and Toure believes the match will not be a walk in the park for his side.

“It will be a difficult game as all matches are,” he said. “Togo remains a very good team that has produced some positive results.

“For us it is very important to win the first match for our morale and to continue the rest of the tournament with full confidence.

“Group D, which includes Ivory Coast, Togo, Algeria and Tunisia is the most difficult and things will not be easy for the four teams.

“Each wants to qualify, but in the end only two teams will qualify to the quarter-finals and the other two will be eliminated.

“Everything will be decided on the field, but in my opinion, the matches from this group will be the hardest and most beautiful to watch for the fans.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.

ionyclaret@gmail.com

https://www.codewit.com

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