Afcon 2013: Ivorians keep Nigerians guessing

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Since after securing a 2-0 ticket against Ethiopia to face Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter finals of the  African Cup of Nations on Sunday, the Ivoriens have kept mute over their impending match.

Analysts in South Africa have wrapped up the match in favour of Ivory Coast labeling Nigeria under-dogs in the match even before the first ball is played.

The millionaire stars of Ivory Coast have refused to say things on the match preferring to say that Nigeria are favourites.

Tracking the team to their hotel is almost a mission impossible because of the security webs on all the teams.

At the post match conference after a pulsating 2-2 draw with Algeria, the mega stars refused to comment on their match with Nigeria. Though all of them speak English fluently, they prefer to speak French and refused to entertain any question on Nigeria.

When Man City Kolo Toure spoke, he did not divulge much. “Nigeria is favourite. We’ll see on Sunday”, he said quickly changing gear to French.

The hide and seek game would definitely be over on Sunday when these giants battle for a semi final ticket in the Nations Cup.

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.
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AFCON 2013: I’m not Bafana’s hero – Khune

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BAFANA Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes the team’s Afcon success to date is thanks to the support and belief of South Africans.

Khune said he was convinced Bafana were on the right track to emulate the Class of 1996 by winning the Afcon title on home soil.

“We are highly motivated by our sold-out matches in this tournament,” said Khune after a five-star performance against Morocco in Durban on Sunday.

Khune was the hero of the night after making a couple of dramatic saves to help Bafana Bafana get a 2-2 draw to qualify for the quarterfinals. This resulted in some supporters suggesting that the hard-working Khune should be given the captain’s armband.

“It’s not about Khune, for me it’s all about teamwork and contributing to the success of Bafana Bafana like all the other players,” said the modest keeper.

“The real work starts after qualifying for the quarterfinals. We have raised the hopes of many South Africans by finishing top of Group A.”

He said the support, especially against Morocco, had been “inspirational” for the team.

“We won’t let them down. We don’t want to go down in the history of South African soccer as the only Bafana Bafana team that failed to win the Afcon title on home soil.”

He said the tournament was proving to be tough, with some giants of African soccer like Algeria and Morocco going home in the first round. Khune, who is also the captain of Kaizer Chiefs, said they were happy that the goal drought was finally over.

“That was a cause for concern for all of us, but we are finally getting it right. We have been working hard at training, perfecting our finishing. It is good to see even defenders like Siyabonga Sangweni scoring incredible goals like the one against Morocco.”

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.
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Afcon 2013: Blame me For Zambian disgrace – Renard

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Head coach  Herve Renard has said he is to blame for Zambia’s disgraceful failure to reach the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

The defending champions were eliminated after a 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso in their final Group C game on Tuesday. “I loved my team tonight. If there is someone who is responsible then it’s me, not my players,” said Renard.

The result ensured Zambia became the first holders to exit the competition at the group stage in 21 years.

“It’s better to have won something in your life than always qualify for the quarter-finals, but never win anything,” said Frenchman Renard. “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.”

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.
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Afcon 2013: South Africa pile pressure on Mali

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BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund believes the pressure is on Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.

Mali coach Patrice Carteron said after his side drew 0-0 draw against Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday to reach the knockout stages, that he believes the pressure is on Bafana to fulfil the hopes of a nation expectant of a tournament victory.

Igesund wrote that off as mind games yesterday and even managed to neatly turn the tables on his counterpart.

“He’s doing what most coaches do, which is take the pressure off his own team. Believe me, in every team in this competition at this stage, all the players are feeling nervous. And there’s as much pressure on me and him as every other coach,” Igesund said.

“To be really honest, we were under huge pressure in the first round. The expectations were so high, we hadn’t performed in our friendly games although our friendlies, when you really analyse them, were very tough and did us a favour. We’re so pleased and proud that we’ve made the nation happy and we’ve managed to get to the quarterfinals.

“So the pressure’s off as far as that’s concerned because it would have been an absolute tragedy if we hadn’t qualified.

“For us, the pressure’s now that we want to do well, not we have to do well.”

It says much about Bafana’s fragility at the back – which they displayed in their dramatic 2-2 draw against Morocco on Sunday – that Igesund immediately took to working with his defensive unit in his team’s first training session back yesterday.

But the coach said he believed the problem also needed to be rectified from in front of his back four.

“Against Morocco I think we didn’t defend well in the midfield. We gave them too much space. Rather than defend those balls in the area, we have to stop the supply getting in there.”

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.
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Afcon 2013: Akpoborie: Eagles need a miracle

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EX-NIGERIA star Jonathan Akpoborie has said that Eagles will need a miracle to beat Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.Nigeria will take on Africa’s top ranked team Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday night in Rustenburg for the chance to reach the AFCON semi-final.

But Spartar Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike has said the Eagles will defy the odds and oust favourites Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

Straight-talking Akpoborie said that as a Nigerian he would wish the Eagles are crowned African champions in South Africa, but if the team play the way they have in all their group games against the Elephants, they will exit the tournament.

”The Eagles performance against Ethiopia was nothing to write home about. The only good thing about the game for us is that we won. How we scored against the lowest rated team at the competition was not the best,” said the former Wolfsburg striker.

“On paper Cote d’Ivoire are favourites to win the competition and on the field, they have been acting like that too. But in football anything could happen.

“Chances of Nigeria winning this one, only Jesus can save. We need a miracle to beat them especially we play this match the way we played our last three matches.”

However, Akpoborie has singled out Chelsea winger Victor Moses for special mention in South Africa.
”I told you before the tournament that Moses will play a big part for Nigeria and he has been doing well, while Ahmed Musa has been the most disappointing player in the team after so much was expected of him,” remarked the former international.

Emenike talks tough

SPARTAK Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike has said the Eagles will defy the odds and oust favourites Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

The Super Eagles laboured to beat Ethiopia on Tuesday to set up a high-profile West African clash against the rampant Elephants, who stopped Nigeria at the 2006 and 2008 AFCONS.

Emenike added: “We are not afraid of them. We respect them but why should we be afraid of them?

“This is football and no team is too big and we are very positive we will win on Sunday.”

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also said his team are looking forward to Sunday’s AFCON quarterfinal against star-studded Cote d’Ivoire.

Both West African giants clash on Sunday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg for a place in the semi-finals.

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.
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Afcon: Don’t worry about Cote d’Ivoire – Keshi

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STEPHEN Keshi had many reasons to be happy after beating Ethiopia and romping into the quarter finals of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. He scaled through a Nations Cup first round.

As coach of Togo and Mali, Keshi crashed out in the preliminary stage. And the fear of succumbing to yet another first round jinx heightened with his poor two draws against Zambia and Burkina Faso.

“My brother, it is not a small thing o”, he exclaimed thanking God for making it possible for him not to be labeled a perpetual first round victim of the Nations Cup.

Overwhelmed by joy, he has asked Nigerians not to worry about Cote d’Ivoire, the most dreaded squad of the Nations Cup who play them on Sunday in the quarter finals.

“Why worry about Ivory Coast?”, he asked as he swarm in the pool of congratulations and hugging by well wishers. “There is no doubt that they(Cote d’Ivoire are loaded with players but we are not afraid of them.

When we get to the bridge, we shall cross it. Many people are looking down on my team. They are improving with every game and we shall raise the game to tackle the Ivorians”, he said.

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.
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Afcon 2013: Oliseh, Ojidoh condemn referee

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PA John Ojidoh, 86, was a football and track and field coach and later an athletics officiating official aside being a soccer referee.

This was before he became an astute sports administrator.

He called from his Illah home yesterday to condemn Daniel Bennet, the South African referee who officiated the match between Tunisia and Togo.

Citing many bad calls including the two penalties he denied Togo and the questionable one he awarded Tunisia, Ojidoh said the referee was out to rob Togo.

“What he tried to do was day light robbery against Togo but the God of soccer stood against him and Tunisia lost the penalty,” Ojidoh said.

The match ended 1-1. Had Tunisia scored the penalty, they probably could have won the match and qualified.
“Tunisia couldn’t come to the party throughout the tournament.

It was only the referee that was trying to push them into the quarter finals.

It’s a shame, the worst officiating we have seen in this fine tournament,” ex international, Sunday Oliseh said on television last night. Seven out of the eight quarter finalists are from West Africa. The other is South Africa.

“I’m not happy with the officiating. Nigeria suffered poor officiating against Zambia and what happened today is a shame to African football,” Ojidoh said.

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.
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Afcon: Eagles are bad, too bad – Maradas

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FIFA man and former publisher of African Football magazine, Emmanuel Maradas came down heavily on the Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday, describing them as a low quality side without anything to show in the on-going African Cup of Nations.

And for this, he has predicted that there would be no hiding place for the Nigerians when they face star-studded Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter finals on. The Eagles finished second in their group, behind Burkina Faso and are condemned to play Cote d’Ivoire who topped their group.

Maradas said yesterday that his heart bled when he watched Nigeria struggle throughout the matches they played to get to this point.

“Your team is not solid and it has no star player. It is just an ordinary team. I feel sad to see Nigeria which used to be a powerhouse present a mediocre squad.

They have played poorly and only managed to escape the disgrace of being beaten in the first round. I feel sad because this is the same country that had star players like Kanu, Babayaro, Oliseh, Okocha and the list is endless.

What is the problem with Nigeria? Are you saying that out of the millions of people in Nigeria, you cannot get up to seven star players? What is the problem with Nigeria?”, Maradas asked repeatedly.

This is a country that I love so much. A country of the greats in African football”. He shook his head in utter disbelief. Nigeria should not struggle in any group in African football.

Look at Cape Verde. They are the surprise team of the tournament”.
He was asked about the chances of the Eagles against Cote d’Ivoire and he shot back. “You have no chance. You’ll struggle.

They have better players in all compartments. Even Drogba who has moved to Galatassaray is a threat. I will give Cote d’Ivoire 60% and Nigeria 40% chance of moving on.

If you put Nigeria 10 years back, I will rate them 50-50. That is how bad your Eagles have fallen. A country with so much and millions of people cannot raise a dreaded squad, no, it is a shame.

I know football can be funny but not with these type of your team against Cote d’Ivoire”, he said.

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.
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Afcon: Keshi needs commendation not condemnation – NFF

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THE Nigeria Football Federation breathed fresh air into the technical crew of the Super Eagles yesterday when Chief Emeka Inyamah said that Keshi deserved commendation and not condemnation.

Speaking after the victory over Ethiopia Inyamah said that reports about threats of impending sack of the chief coach were a distraction and not coming from the football house.

“I told you earlier that these Eagles are work in progress. You can see that indeed that they are moving steadily. We are happy with their qualification and are ready to offer any necessary help to ensure that they win the cup.

For a man who has not lost a match, he needs to be commended. It will be fool-hardy for anybody to threaten him with sack when he is still in charge of Eagles in a middle of a tournament.

That to me is a distraction. Rather, we will come together at the end of the tournament to review everything.

If he is found worthy to continue, he will continue and if we think that there is need to bring in a white man or black man to assist, then we bring one”.
Right now, we are focused on the Nations Cup”, Inyamah said.

Looking at the titanic quarter final battle against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, Inyamah said that it would, no doubt, be a difficult match but predicted that the Eagles would carry the day.

“The Eagles like every work in progress will get better. That match will shock many people who write off the Eagles. For me, Cote d’Ivoire will fall”, the sweet-talking Publicity Chairman of the NFF noted.

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.
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AFCON 2013: Angels were behind me – Enyeama

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Nigeria goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama who made a point blank save immediately after Nigeria’s opener has sensationally declared he had no clue how he pulled off an incredible point blank save.

“I don’t know how I did it, the Angels of God were behind me and caused my hands to be in the right place to stop the ball”.

Asked if he was worried going into the last 10 and it was still goalless “not at all, this is football and I have come to understand that as long as the game is on anything is still possible so I kept urging the guys to press on. Fortunately we got there in the end”.

The Nigerian players were obviously delighted with the win but the Nigerian press contingent and Nigerians all over the the internet sites and blogs seemed unimpressed with the qualification and have been very critical of the team’s play.

Already, the consensus is that this present Nigerian side is not good enough to get past the Ivorians who have been rampant so far in the tournament.

It is very hard to figure out who has a more difficult job between the Nigerian President or Stephen Keshi in terms of pleasing Nigerians.

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.
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