African Nations Cup 2012

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Nations Cup: Ghana, Nigeria get off to good starts
Soccernet - September 5, 2010



Ghana and Nigeria had straightforward wins in their first qualifying matches for the 2012 African Nations Cup.

In Lobamba, the Black Stars, the pick of the continent's representatives at the World Cup in South Africa two months ago when they reached the quarter-finals, ran out 3-0 winners over Swaziland.

Andre Ayew gave them the lead after 13 minutes, before further strikes from Prince Tagoe (70) and Hans Sarpei (81) saw them ease to a win that moves them above Sudan at the top of Group I.

Nigeria, who managed just one point in a disappointing World Cup campaign, bounced back with a 2-0 triumph over Madagascar in Calabar, thanks to goals from Obafemi Martins (19) and Michael Eneramo (45).

But the win was only good enough to put them second in Group B, behind Guinea after they thrashed Ethiopia 4-1 in Addis Ababa.

It was no easy ride for the visitors, though, who fell behind after Umed Ukuri struck on the half-hour mark. But once Ibrahima Yattara scored after 37 minutes, it was one way traffic for Syli National.

The Trabzonspor striker netted on half time to hand his side the lead and further goals from Karamoko Cisse (60) and Kamil Zayatte (75) saw Guinea ease to victory.

In Group A, Liberia and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw that leaves them playing catch-up behind leaders Cape Verde Islands, who upset Mali 1-0 on Saturday.

Zambia took charge of Group C after thrashing Comoros 4-0 in Lusaka - in a game that was delayed for 24 hours due to the late arrival of the match officials.

Rainford Kalaba put the hosts ahead after five minutes and further strikes from Fwayo Tembo (30) and James Chamanga (40) saw them cruise into the break 3-0 ahead. Emmanuel Mayuka (83) added a fourth goal late on to help the Chipolopolo ease home.

In the group's other game, Mozambique and Libya played out a goalless draw in Maputo.

Mamadou Niang hit a hat-trick in a six-goal clash in Lubumbashi as Senegal ran out 4-2 winners over DR Congo.

Moussa Sow put the visitors in front after three minutes and they never looked back. Niang scored in the 10th and 19th minutes before completing his treble with a penalty in the 68th minute. The hosts were never really in the game despite Patou Kabangu (44 and 83) netting a brace.

Cameroon head Group E after beating Mauritius on Saturday.

The Group F match between Gambia and Namibia in Banjul was postponed, while Cedric Amissi struck five minutes from time in Group H to help Burundi snatch an unlikely 1-1 draw in Benin.

Mickael Pote opened the scoring after just two minutes in Cotonou and with the home side set to take all the points, Amissi ensured there was a twist at the death.

African champions Egypt were almost stunned by Sierra Leone in Cairo and had to come from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw.

The Pharaohs trailed to a Alhassan Bangura strike after 56 minutes, but Mahmoud Fathallah equalised four minutes later to set up a frantic finish.

But it was not to be for Hassan Shehata's team, who eventually failed in their search for a winner. They must now play catch-up in Group G after South Africa won their opening match against Niger on Saturday.

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Cameroon held in qualifying
Soccernet - October 9, 2010


Herita Ilunga opened the scoring for Congo.

Cameroon suffered a setback in their bid for a place in the 2012 African Nations Cup after they were held to a draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there were wins for Ivory Coast and Morocco on a busy day of qualifying.


There was also a stalemate in the big east African derby between Kenya and Uganda, while Senegal put seven goals past a hapless Mauritius. The biggest upset undoubtedly came in Garoua, though, where the Indomitable Lions were expected to gain all three points at home to the Leopards.

But they fell behind to a strike from West Ham defender Herita Ilunga after 37 minutes and had to rely on an own goal from Miala Nkulukutu 10 minutes after the break to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw.

The result means that Javier Clemente's team drop down to second in Group E, behind the Senegalese, who made light work of their match against the Mauritians.

Papiss Cisse (eight, 38 and 76) bagged a hat-trick and Mamadou Niang (22 and 62) a brace, while further efforts from Moussa Sow (45) and Demba Ba (90) completed the rout in Dakar

Kenya continue to prop up Group J after failing to beat regional rivals Uganda in Nairobi.

The match ended in a goalless draw meaning the Harambee Stars now face a tough task to reach the finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after claiming just a point from their opening two games.

They lost the first match 1-0 to Guinea-Bissau, who were themselves beaten by the same scoreline against Angola in the other group game. The only goal in that game coming from the penalty spot after 23 minutes - Gilberto ending up as the match-winner in Luanda.

Mali claimed their first points in Group A, with Abdou Traore putting them in front as early as the second minute against Liberia in Bamako. Theo Lewis (43) equalised for the visitors, but Dramane Traore (52) restored the advantage as the hosts held on.

Tiago Josemar scored in stoppage time in Mitsamiouli to help Mozambique move top of Group C, at least for the next 24 hours, thanks to a 1-0 win over Comoros. The southern Africans move to four points, one more than Zambia, who are away to Libya.

In Dar Es Saalam, Ajax striker Mounir El Hamdaoui (43) was the hero with his goal shortly before half-time handing the Moroccans a 1-0 win over Tanzania. It helped the Atlas Lions gain their first victory of the campaign after a draw in their opening game.

Ivory Coast had to work hard to maintain their 100% start to qualifying with Ndri Romaric (34) grabbing the only goal in a 1-0 scoreline against Burundi. The win put the World Cup finalists top of Group H ahead of Benin, who thrashed Rwanda 3-0 in Kigali.

Group F has new leaders following Burkina Faso's 3-1 win over previous leaders Gambia in their opening game of the campaign. Finally, Malawi climbed to second in Group K thanks to a crushing 6-2 win over Chad in Blantyre. Chiukepo Msowoya (10 and 70) and Essau Kanyenda (20 and 80) both hit two apiece, with Jimmy Zakazaka (67) and Robert Ng'ambi (85) completing the scoring.

Marius Mbaiam (30) and Ezekiel Ndouassel (90) responded for the visitors, who have now conceded 12 goals in their four qualifiers.

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Niger stun Egypt as powers tumble in Africa
Soccernet - October 11, 2010



Continental champions Egypt proved to be the biggest casualties in the latest round of qualifying games for the 2012 African Nations Cup after being stunned by minnows Niger on Sunday.

The Pharaohs were not the only African giants to suffer as neighbours and World Cup finalists Algeria also lost, along with Nigeria and Togo, while South Africa and Ghana could only manage draws.

But in a result that is unlikely to be easily forgotten, Amadou Kader grabbed the only goal after 34 minutes to help the world number 154 team beat ninth-ranked Egypt in Niamey. It was a second consecutive poor result for Hassan Shehata's men, who drew their opening match of Group G at home to Sierra Leone.

Although only two games have been concluded thus far, the seven-times champions now have just a single point to show for their efforts and face the real possibility of missing out on a place in the finals for the first time since 1982.

Elsewhere in the pool, 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa could only manage a goalless draw in Freetown, a result that keeps them top of the section with four points, with Niger in second on three and Sierra Leone third on two.

In Group D, late strikes from Eude Dagoulou (81) and Momi Hilaire (86) stole all the points for the Central African Republic against Algeria. The Desert Foxes, who parted company with their coach Rabah Saadane after only managing a draw in their opening game, looked destined for a point in Bangui until the drama at the death which has now left them rooted to the foot of the table.

Tunisia salvaged some north African pride, though, after managing to secure a 2-1 win over Togo in Group K.

Issam Jemaa (38) gave the visitors the lead in Lome, before Sapol Mani (40) made sure the home side went into the break level at 1-1. But Amine Chermiti (83) had the final say with the three points lifting the Carthage Eagles into second, three points behind Botswana.

One of the most talked-about games this weekend was Nigeria's trip to Conakry to face Guinea, a match that was temporarily suspended and then back on after FIFA had banned Nigeria from all competition following government interference in the sport.

But the Group B clash did eventually go ahead with Kevin Constant's fifth-minute strike proving the difference between the two sides as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners to move three points clear.

In the other match in the pool, Madagascar were 1-0 losers at home to Ethiopia in Antananarivo.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe missed a good chance to move top of Group A after they could only manage a goalless draw against the Cape Verde Islands in Harare.

Libya moved top of Group C thanks to Ahmed Saad (36), who helped them secure a narrow 1-0 win over Zambia in Tripoli.

Finally in Group I, Ghana, Africa's best performers at the World Cup, played out a lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to Sudan in Kumasi. To compound matters for the Black Stars, star striker Asamoah Gyan was sent off 10 minutes from time, but they held on.

And Congo took full advantage of that slip by winning 3-1 against Swaziland. Barel Mouko opened the scoring from the spot after 20 minutes and Francky Sembolo (34 and 73) hit a brace. Darren Christie (36) netted what turned out to be a consolation in Brazzaville.