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Post by Football News on Jan 28, 2015 4:54:27 GMT
Man City’s hopes of having Yaya Touré back could depend on drawing of lots • All four teams in Africa Cup of Nations Group D have identical records • Manchester City face Chelsea on Saturday in top-of-the-table clash • Match report: Ivory Coast 1-1 Mali
Yaya Touré's absence from Man City has coincided with a three-match winless run for the Premier League champions. Manchester City’s hopes of having Yaya Touré back for Saturday evening’s title showdown with Chelsea could depend on the lottery of a drawing of lots should Ivory Coast finish level on points in their Africa Cup of Nations group on Wednesday. After four 1-1 draws in Equatorial Guinea, all the teams in Group D stand on two points and have each scored twice and conceded two goals. Touré’s side face Cameroon in Malabo while Guinea take on Mali in Mongomo, at 7pm local time on Wednesday. If Ivory Coast draw with Cameroon then whatever occurs in the other match, the Elephants and Indomitable Lions will finish with the same points, goals scored and goals conceded, meaning these criteria cannot be used to decide who progresses. According to regulation 74.1.4 of the Confederation of African Football’s tournament rulebook “a drawing of lots conducted by the organising committee” would then be used to separate the nations. If all four of Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Guinea and Mali end with the same record then the regulations again say a drawing of lots conducted by the organising committee will be deployed. Since Touré departed for the competition earlier this month City’s form has faltered, Manuel Pellegrini’s side failing to win any of their three subsequent matches and losing 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Etihad in the FA Cup on Saturday, six days after going down by the same score to Arsenal in the league, also at home. While City have yet to confirm officially that plans are in place to bring Touré back should Ivory Coast be knocked out, given the team’s poor record without him and the need to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to reduce the leaders’ five-point advantage to two, it would be a major surprise if they did not. Touré’s Ivory Coast team-mate Wilfried Bony, signed for £25m in the current window but who has yet to play for City due to playing in Africa, may also join his international captain should he return for the Chelsea game. Guardian
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Post by Avinalaff on Feb 1, 2015 19:46:49 GMT
Christian Atsu’s brace fired Ghana into the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday afternoon. The on-loan winger netted a goal in each half as the Black Stars ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Guinea. Atsu was man of the match in Ghana’s final group game against South Africa last Tuesday – and he was again the standout performer in their quarter-final tie. The 23-year-old finished at the far post to break the deadlock after just four minutes. Kwesi Appiah then made it 2-0 in the lead up to half-time before Atsu sealed the victory with a fantastic long-range effort on the hour mark - a goal of the tournament contender. Ghana now look forward to a semi-final against host nation Equatorial Guinea on Thursday evening.
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Post by juddablue on Feb 1, 2015 19:54:59 GMT
Chuffin new he would do this Pleased for the lad hope he carries it on when he finally comes back
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Post by Koeman's Clogs on Feb 1, 2015 20:30:01 GMT
Are the games broadcast on normal television?
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Post by juddablue on Feb 1, 2015 20:34:30 GMT
Are the games broadcast on normal television? Doubt that very much Yer could try a stream but heaven forbid the echo gets a hold of yer It would be the stocks for you lad
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