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Post by rugbytoffee on Jan 26, 2017 13:45:49 GMT
1/4 FINAL PREVIEW
The hosts, Gabon, are out, as are the holders, Ivory Coast, and a star-studded Algeria. As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) enters the last-eight stage this weekend, a pair of the contenders, Senegal and Burkina Faso, harbour genuine hopes of putting a new name on the trophy.
All times are in UAE.
Burkina Faso v Tunisia: Saturday, 8pm
The Burkinabe fret over the fitness of Al Ain’s Jonathan Pitroipa, the winger struggling to regain fitness since a muscle strain forced his withdrawal early in the group-stage draw against Gabon.
But Burkina Faso have gained momentum without him, and topped their group thanks to a goal from Bertrand Traore, the Chelsea striker on loan at Ajax, in the 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau. The so-called "Stallions", finalists in 2013 but never Afcon winners, are shaping up as dark horses.
Their task is to stymie a Tunisia who, buoyed by victory over Algeria and a four-goal thrashing of Zimbabwe, have moved impressively through the gears under the guidance of manager Henryk Kasperczak.
The Pole, 70, has won every colour of medal at Afcon — including a silver in charge of Tunisia 21 years ago — except gold. His main injury concern for Saturday surrounds goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, who has only trained lightly.
Cameroon versus Senegal: Saturday, 11pm
Aliou Cisse, the manager of Senegal, would prefer retrospective glances at the most famous of Cameroon-Senegal matches to be banned before their clash on Saturday.
He was involved in that contest, the final of the 2002 Afcon in Bamako, Mali.
That day Cisse failed to convert the last penalty kick in the shoot out that settled the destiny of the trophy in Cameroon’s favour.
Some compensation followed for Cisse and his contemporaries, the highest achievers in Senegal’s football history going on to reach a World Cup quarter-final later that year.
Those "Lions" still cast a long shadow. Senegal have never reached the standards set by the squad of the early 2000s since.
The current squad have, though, set the highest standards at this tournament, and possess a depth, having fielded effectively a second XI in the 2-2 draw against Algeria that concluded their group phase.
The likes of Sadio Mane will return against a Cameroon side who have put some their pre-tournament problems — several players refused their call-ups — behind them.
DR Congo v Ghana: Sunday, 8pm
When Al Ahli’s Asamoah Gyan limped off the pitch during Ghana’s narrow defeat to Egypt on Wednesday, Ghana’s Afcon campaign turned gloomier. Gyan, Ghana’s leader of the line for the best part of a decade, has a groin problem and his availability, or otherwise, for Sunday’s quarter-final will have a bearing on morale.
Losing top spot in the group to the Egyptians also obliged Ghana to take on DR Congo in Oyem, where the quality of the playing surface has caused complaints.
Gyan will feel as frustrated as anybody if he misses out.
Five times a semi-finalist at Afcon, and his country’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament, he has two runners-up medals and a bronze medal in the competition but as yet no first prize.
Ghana would be forgiven for thinking that this should be their year, given that so many heavyweight teams have fallen before the last-eight stage, but they need vigilance, not least of Congo striker Junior Kabananga, the top scorer in the tournament with three goals.
Egypt v Morocco: Sunday 11pm
The renaissance continues. Egypt, with six Afcon trophies to their name, three of them this century, have been the grand absentees from the last tournaments.
But fears of rustiness or low self-esteem as they returned to a finals for the first time since 2012 can be set aside now. "We intend to go far," Hector Cuper, the manager, said after the 1-0 win over Ghana that secured top place in Group D.
A couple of smart saves in that fixture from goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary means Cuper can rest assured that the injury to Ahmed El-Shenawy, first-choice with the gloves at the outset of the tournament, is not a grave setback.
The romantic storyline would have El-Hadary, 44 years old, picking up his fifth Afcon winners medal a week on Sunday.
Or at least that would be one stirring narrative. Herve Renard, Morocco’s manager, has another in mind.
He seeks a third Afcon triumph, with a third different employer, following his successes with Zambia and Ivory Coast.
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 28, 2017 11:01:34 GMT
Gana Set For Quarter-FinalIdrissa Gana Gueye’s Senegal will take on Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Saturday (7pm kick-off). Gana, who before departing for the continental competition started all but one game - for which he was suspended - for Everton since sealing a summer switch from Aston Villa, has starred in the heart of the Lions of Teranga midfield so far. After playing the full games to help Aliou Cisse's men record consecutive 2-0 wins over Tunisia and Zimbabwe respectively, Gana - and nine others - were rested for the draw against Algeria with top spot in Group B already guaranteed. The midfielder did, however, come off the bench for the final 12 minutes as Senegal twice battled from behind to record a 2-2 draw. Gana told evertonfc.com: "I feel good and fresh. The team worked very hard in the first two games and it was important to have a bit of a rest after that because the games come so quickly. "It’s going to be a tough game because Cameroon are a big team in Africa. We are looking forward to the challenge and we’re working to win the game. We have a good team and we work hard for each other, so there’s no reason we can’t go further in the competition. "We are confident because we know the quality we have in our team. We don’t feel pressure, the pressure is more on Cameroon. "The people of Senegal are happy because it’s the first time we have reached the quarter-finals for 11 years and now we want to keep going and keep making them happy." Saturday’s opponents, Cameroon, meanwhile, finished second in their group following a 2-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso and a goalless tie with hosts Gabon. The last-eight clash is being televised in the United Kingdom on Eurosport (Sky channel 410), with coverage starting from 6.45pm. Also keep an eye on evertonfc.com for more updates on Gana’s progress throughout the AFCON tournament. Everton FC Want to reply to articles as a guest?Loads more Everton News HEREREGISTER WITH LOVE EVERTON FORUM HERE Checkout our site map HERE
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Post by rugbytoffee on Jan 28, 2017 19:31:41 GMT
Burkina Faso 2-0 Tunisia
Burkina Faso booked their passage into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two late goals to overcome Tunisia at the Stade d'Angondje in Liberville.
The Stallions may have considered themselves fortunate to top Group A after drawing their first two games and were underdogs coming into this game, but they are beginning to look like genuine challengers. But for the moment, the team can revel in a dramatic late victory over the Eagles of Carthage, thanks to substitute Aristide Bance's drilled free-kick in the 82nd minute.
Prejuce Nakoulma put the icing on the cake three minutes later after Tunisia were caught out while searching for a late equaliser.
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Post by bornablue on Jan 29, 2017 12:04:00 GMT
Didn't his team lose on pens?
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 29, 2017 17:44:16 GMT
Gana's Senegal EliminatedMidfielder to head back to Merseyside after AFCON quarter-final defeat.Idrissa Gana Gueye’s Senegal have been eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations following a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals. Gana, who featured in all three group games as Aliou Cisse’s side finished Group B winners, played the full 120 minutes - but neither side could break the deadlock in Franceville, meaning the tie headed to penalties. The first eight spot-kicks were successful before Liverpool’s Sadio Mané saw his effort saved, allowing Besiktas’ Vincent Aboubakar to step up and fire Cameroon into the last four of the competition. After missing games against Leicester City, Manchester City and Crystal Palace, Gana will now head back to Merseyside.
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