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Caf News 95
Caf News 95
fter an exceptional year, which witnessed the unforgettable first FIFA World Cup hosted in Africa, 2011 has certainly found its own identity. From the first days of February 2011, the 2nd edition of the African national championship, which was reserved for local players, proved that our audacity has paid off. We were heavily criticized when we increased the number of teams participating in the final phase of the competition from eight to sixteen. We were told it will never work. The result surpassed our expectations and, above all, it enabled those who took part in the competition in Sudan to shine. We were compensated for trying to create a competition for our players who are often deprived of a place in their national teams because they do not play abroad. What is more, most of the teams of the second edition would have had their place in what we usually call the big Orange AFCON. Moreover, 15 out of the 16 teams were all African teams - another great satisfaction to all of us.
The qualifying matches for the Orange 2012 AFCON were the second major event of the year, which animated our calendar. As usual, there were winners and losers; surprisingly, the winners were not those we expected. Undoubtedly, African football has witnessed a great shake up as had never been seen, starting with the fall of Egypt, which was unable to qualify after being the champion for the past three editions. She was, not the only one that suffered this demise. Indeed, the wind that blew through the Orange AFCON 2012 qualifiers carried away four of our six representatives at the FIFA World Cup. These were South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria because they found tougher teams in their way. At the end, the stronger side prevailed. They stumbled against opponents who quietly worked and progressed at their own pace, making up for their deficiencies against those commonly referred to as the tough of the continent. No other time than in 2001 has the affirmation that anyone can beat anyone been verified; there are no small teams any longer. May be, we will one day render this justice in CAF through its
numerous training sessions in order to lend support to less equipped teams in this battle which has long been presented as very unbalanced. No title on a global scale has come to reward African football, especially in the FIFA Junior World championship, as Ghana could not defend the title it won in Mexico in 2009 in that she failed to make it through the African qualifiers stage. But a crown lost is not a drama and, on the whole, the performance of our teams was not bad. The year ended in Morocco with the organization of the first CAF U-23 championship, which served as the last round qualifier of the London Olympic Games. It was the wish of CAF to offer more publicity to this competition which will now be held every four years., I would like to stress that without the commitment and the money of governments, African football would be unable to accomplish its very congested schedule. Football and politics can and should work together. This has been proved in 2011.
CAFoot Magazine
Contents
Pg. 144 ORANGE CAN 2012
Gabon & Equatorial Guinea Team Profiles and Key players
Pg. 11
Pg. 99
Pg. 90
Interclub Competitions
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Contents
Editorial 1 History of tournament (Fact Guide) 4 Mascot for the tournament 6 New Adidas ball for CAN 2012 7 Venues and Stadia (plus country profiles) 9 Team Profiles 11 Competition Format 75 Orange CAN 2012 qualifiers 77 Features
New era dawns on Niger football Interview with Botswana FA President 81 83
Fixtures of CAN 2013 qualifiers Fixtures of FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014 Fixtures of CAF Interclubs competitions 2012 CAF Competitions in 2011
Orange Africa Nations Championship 2011 Africa U-17 Championship 2011 Orange African Youth Championship 2011 CAF Interclubs competitions 2011 Orange CAF Super Cup 2011 CAF U-23 Championship 2011 All Africa Games 2011 (Men and Women) London 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers (Women) Africa Beach Soccer Championship 2011
85 86 87
88 91 93 95 99 100 102 104 105
Hearts of Oak at 100 years 113 Zamalek at 100 years 116 Orlando Pirates at 75 years 121 News in Brief 124 CAF Development News 139 CAF Executive Committee News 142 Glo-CAF Awards 2011 149 33rd CAF General Assembly 2011 153 CAF Executive Committee 158 Obituary 163 CAF Calendar of Events 2012 166
Pg. 100
Pg. 86
Pg. 86
Club Anniversaries
CONCEPT AND LAYOUT Meshan-ad Consult www.meshan-adconsult.com info@meshan-adconsult.com PHOTO CREDITS Garvin Barker, Senyiedzorm A. Adadevoh CONTACT 3 Abdel Khalek Tharwat St. 6th October City, Egypt info@cafonline.com PRINTING Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official point of view of CAF CAFoot Magazine
Zambia Group A
Zambia
Libya
Libya
Senegal
Senegal
Eq. Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Angola
Angola
Sudan
Sudan
Gabon Group C
Gabon
Niger
Niger
Tunisia
Tunisia
Morocco
Morocco
Botswana Group D
Botwana
Ghana
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea
Mali
Mali
Group
A B B C C D D A A B B C C D D A A B B C C D D
Date
21/01/2012 22/01/2012 22/01/2012 23/01/2012 23/01/2012 24/01/2012 24/01/2012 25/01/2012 25/01/2012 26/01/2012 26/01/2012 27/01/2012 27/01/2012 28/01/2012 28/01/2012 29/01/2012 29/01/2012 30/01/2012 30/01/2012 31/01/2012 31/01/2012 01/02/2012 01/02/2012
Time
22h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 17h:00 20h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00 19h:00
Venue
Bata Malabo Malabo Libreville Libreville Franceville Franceville Bata Bata Malabo Malabo Libreville Libreville Franceville Franceville Malabo Bata Bata Malabo Franceville Libreville Libreville Franceville
Senegal Vs. Zambia Cote Divoire Vs. Sudan Burkina Faso Vs. Angola Gabon Vs. Niger Morocco Vs. Tunisia Ghana Vs. Botswana Mali Vs. Guinea Libya Vs. Zambia Guinea Eq. Vs. Senegal Sudan Vs. Angola Cote Divoire Vs. Burkina Faso Niger Vs. Tunisia Gabon Vs. Morocco Botswana Vs. Guinea Ghana Vs. Mali Guinea Eq. Vs. Zambia Libya Vs. Senegal Sudan Vs. Burkina Faso Cote Divoire Vs. Angola Gabon Vs. Tunisia Niger Vs. Morocco Botswana Vs. Mali Ghana Vs. Guinea
Quarter Finals
25. 1st A vs. 2nd B 26. 1st B vs. 2nd A 27. 1st C vs. 2nd D 28. 1st D vs. 2nd C
Date
Time
17H:00 20H:00 17H:00 20H:00
Venue
Bata Malabo Libreville Franceville
Semi-Finals
29. Win. 25 vs. Win. 28 30. Win. 27 vs. Win. 26
Date
08/02/2012 08/02/2012
Time Venue
17H:00 20H:00 Bata Libreville
Date
Time
20H:00
Venue
Malabo
Final Match
32. Win. 29 v Win. 30
Date
12/02/2012
Time
20H:00
Venue
Libreville
Most Matches Played in the Finals: Egypt (90) Most Wins in the Finals: Egypt (51) Most Goals in the Finals: Egypt (153) Most Nations Cup Appearances by a player:
Rigobert Song - Cameroon (8) 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 Alain Gouamene - Ivory Coast (7) 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000
7 time winners-Egypt
Fastest Ever Goal: Ayman Mansour, Egypt (23 seconds) Most Goals Scored in One Match: 9
Egypt 6-3 Nigeria, 1963
CAFoot Magazine
n a few days, the Africa Cup of Nations will be in its 28th edition and the event will be hosted by two countries that are yet to host the most prestigious African competition. This is the road AFCON has travelled following its maiden edition in Khartoum in 1957. Only three countries competed that year; these were Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. They played just two matches. The fourth team would have been South Africa but they refused to present team that conprised both black and white people. Consequently, the three teams, Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia kept apart South Africa. This served as the first attack on apartheid from a pan-African body. In 1960, newly independent countries in addition to the three countries mentioned earlier participated in the event. The three countries, Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia, climbed to four and then, to six in 1963. In 1968, the number of participating teams increased to eight. There were two pools, and each consisted of four teams, a semifinal and a final. The competition became
a real biannual jamboree for soccer lovers. Its popularity motivated officials of CAF to increase the number of participating teams to twelve in the 1992 edition which was held in Senegal and subsequently in Tunisia 94. Finally, in 1996, the number of teams featuring in the CAF rose to sixteen in 1996 - the year South Africa participated in the tournament for the first time. They did not only host the tournament, but also won the trophy. AFCON is Fifty-five years old, and it has showcased numerous players who have in different regards, built African football by making it the third most attractive soccer competition worldwide. The only soccer competitions that come before AFCON are the World Cup and the Euro. The competition attracts some five billion television-viewers ; thus, it has given Africa a dynamic image an image which led to the continent hosting the 2010 World Cup for the first time.
This recognition is the result of the progressive rise of the continents elite soccer representatives who are in the best clubs. Its record has witnessed the triumph of countries that have contributed to the fame of African football. We have the unbeatable Egypt, which has all the record in the first rank of teams with 22 participations, 90 matches and winning seven trophies. Ghana and Cameroon follow with four trophies each. On the whole, there are thirteen countries that have shared the trophy with the countries cited above. They are Nigeria, and DR Congo (2 crowns each), South Africa, Algeria, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan. The 28th AFCON edition will be the second time it is being held in Central Africa, fifty years after Cameroon. It will also be the last held in even years, since CAF has decided to organize it in odd-numbered years as from 2013, so that it does not coincide with the year of the World Cup, which is organized after every four years.
Host country Sudan Egypt Ethiopia Ghana Tunisia Ethiopia Sudan Cameroon Egypt Ethiopia Ghana Nigeria Libya Ivory Coast Egypt Morocco Algeria Senegal Tunisia South Africa Burkina Faso Ghana/Nigeria Mali Tunisia Egypt Ghana Angola
Best Player Mohamed Ad-Diba (EGY) Mahmoud El-Gohary (EGY) Mengistu Worku (ETH) Hassan El-Shazly (EGY) Osei Kofi (GHA) Kazadi Mwamba (Iv.C) Laurent Pokou (CIV) Franois MPel (COG) Ndaye Mulamba (COD) Ahmed Faras (MOR) Karim Abdul Razak (GHA) Christian Chukwu (NGA) Fawzi Al-Esawi (LBY) Thophile Abega (CMR) Roger Milla (CMR) Aziz Bouderbala (MAR) Rabah Madjer (ALG) Abedi Pele (GHA) Rashidi Yekini (NGR) Kalusha Bwalya (ZAM) Benedict McCarthy (RSA) Lauren Etame (CMR) Rigobert Song (CMR) Jay-Jay Okocha (NGR) Ahmed Hassan (EGY) Hosny Abd Rabo (EGY) Ahmed Hassan (EGY)
Coach Mourad Fahmy (EGY) Pal Titkos (HUN) Slavko Milosevic (YUG) Charles Gyamfi (GHA) Charles Gyamfi (GHA) Ferenc Csanad (HUN) Jiri Starost (CZE) Amoyen Bibanzulu (COG) Blagoje Vidinic (YUG) Gheorge Mardarescu (ROU) Fred Osam-Duodu (GHA) Otto Glria (BRA) Charles Gyamfi (GHA) Radivoje Ognjanovi (YUG) Mike Smith (ENG) Claude Le Roy (FRA) Abdelhamid Kermali (ALG) Yeo Martial (CIV) Clemens Westerhof (NED Clive Barker (RSA) Mahmoud El-Gohary (EGY) Pierre Lechantre (FRA) Wilfried Schfer (GER) Roger Lemerre (FRA) Hassan Shehata (EGY) Hassan Shehata Hassan Shehata (EGY) (EGY) CAFoot Magazine
GAGUIE
he official mascot of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations was unveiled on Friday, September 16, 2011, at a colourful ceremony in Libreville, Gabon. The mascot, a gorilla, christened GAGUIE spots a jersey in the colours, green, white and blue which represent the national colours of the co-hosts, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Presidents Ali Bongo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea attended the ceremony. Other personalities who graced the occasion were Gabonese football icons Daniel Cousin, Roger Guy Nzamba, Pierre Aubameyang and Alban Bougandze. CAF Honorary Vice President, General Seyi Memene expressed his satisfaction with the launching of the mascot, by describing it as the beginning of hostilities for the tournament. Memene went on to say that We can say the 2012 Orange Africa cup of Nations is no longer a dream but a reality. We are proud and we congratulate the two Heads of State for their participation in the event. The final tournament will be held from 21 January to 12 February, 2012. Equatorial Guinea faces Libya in the tournament opener on January 21 in Bata.
CAFoot Magazine
CAF and Adidas Present Official Match Ball for Orange CAN 2012
Each Africa Cup of Nations, adidas and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presented a newly designed official match ball this time it is the adidas Comoequa, the Official Match Ball for the 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations. The name takes its inspiration from the Como River which runs through both host nations - Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and the Equator which runs throughout Africa and units both host nations. The Adidas Comoequa features a bright yellow base colour inspired by the vibrancy of African culture, and links to the flags of both tournament hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea through colour markings on the central triangular panels. The adidas Comoequa, shares the same construction as the Tango 12, the Official Match Ball for the UEFA Euro 2012, and is the third ball adidas has produced for the tournament, having started as the Official Supplier of the African Cup of Nations in 2008. Complementing the design, the adidas Comoequa features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.
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Libreville, Gabon
Libreville, the capital and largest city of Gabon, is a port on the Komo River. It is near the Gulf of Guinea, and also a trade centre for a timber region. As of 2005, it had a population of 578,156. The Libreville International Airport, the largest airport in Gabon is located north of the city.
Stade de lAmiti
Capacity: 40,000
Stade de lAmiti is located in Angondj, a suburb of Libreville in Gabon. It took a Chinese company twenty months to complete the stadium. The inaugural match at the stadium which was between Gabon and Brazil was played in November 2011. It will host the final match of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Franceville, Gabon
Franceville grew from a village named Masuku. When Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza chose it to resettle former slaves, he renamed it Francheville on June 13th, 1880. He named it Franceville because in French, franceville means city of the freed. Franceville, one of the four largest cities in Gabon, lies on River Mpassa and Trans-Gabon Railway, and has a population of around 22,000.
Stade de Franceville
Capacity: 35,000
Stade de Franceville was renovated for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The structural framework to support the canvas cover was designed by a Serbian manufacturer, Amiga. It will host matches at the group phase and one quarter final game.
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CAFoot Magazine
Bata, formerly the capital of Equatorial Guinea, is a port city in the Litoral Province of Equatorial Guinea, and the largest city in the country. It lies on the Atlantic coast of Rio Muni. It is not only a transport hub and port from which ferries sail to Malabo and Douala, but also Bata is famous for its nightlife and market.
Estadio de Bata
Capacity: 40,000
was completed in 2007. It was one of the venues for the CAF Womens Championship hosted in Equatorial Guinea in 2008. During the 2012 Orange Cup of Nations, Estadio de Bata will host the opening ceremony and one of the semi final matches.
capital of Equatorial Guinea and is located on the northern coast of Bioko Island. Also, it is the second largest city in the country. The city was first founded by the British in 1827, when they leased the island from Spain during the colonial period.
purpose stadium although it is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium was completed in 2007 and hosted the final of the CAF Womens Championship a year later.
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Equatorial Guinea
Appearance:
Debut
Qualification:
Co-Host to Gabon
Nzalang Nacional
he Nzalang Nacional will be making their debut appearance at the continental flagship event at the 2012 edition. Since their first attempt in the qualifying series in 1990, the Equatoguineans have had to content themselves with watching the competition on television.
maiden appearance. Unlike their female counterparts, who won the African womens championship in 2008 and qualified for the 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup, the male national team have yet to let their presence felt at the African stage, not to even talk of global. The preparation of the team for the final tournament was blighted by the shock resignation of coach Henri Michel, barely a month to the opening match. Exit Michel; enter Brazilian Gilson Paulo who has been tasked with reviving the fortunes of the team. Paulo had barely three weeks to prepare the team for the
tournament, a task he is hoping to achieve with distinction. Their squad is dominated by players playing in the lower divisions of Spanish football, who have been playing actively in series of friendly matches for the past year. The only big names are captain Bodipo, who plays for Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, Balboa of Portuguese side Beira Mar and TP Mazembe midfielder Narcisse Ekanga. There is little information about the Equatoguinean team, but are expected to go further backed by their loyal home fans. Before that, they will have to contend with Libya, Senegal and Zambia at the group phase.
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By virtue of being co-hosts with Gabon, the Nzalang Nacional will have a feel of the most prestigious tournament in African football. At the tournament, they are the lowest ranked team amongst the 16 finalists, but are hoping to impress on their
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Juvenal EdjogoOwono
Juvenal as he is simply known is the Vice captain of the Nzalang Nacional. The Sabadell FC player is one of the most experienced player in the team after making his debut in 2003. The Spanish-born midfielder is very talented but has played most of career in the lower divisions of Spanish football since graduating from the Espanyol academy in the late 90s. With a knack for scoring goals, he has had modest stints with Levante, Racing Santander, Castellon, Alaves, Recreativo, Tenerife and Cartagena within a spate of seven years.
Narcisse Ekanga
Ekanga is one of newest faces in the Nzalang Nacional set-up. Though born in Cameroon, the TP Mazembe midfield anchor opted to play for neighbouring Equatorial Guinea. The 24-year old has been an integral part of the TP Mazembe squad since leaving Cameroon side Astres Douala in 2007. He is a two-time CAF Champions League winner with TP Mazembe and also played in the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups. Ekanga debuted with Equatorial Guinea on September 7, 2011 in a friendly match against Central African Republic in Malabo.
Glson Paulo-Coach
The 62-year old Brazilian took up the reigns of the team on January 3. He replaced Frenchman Henri Michel, who quit his position last December. The Brazilian has an arduous task of putting together a team that can make the nation proud at the tournament. Paulo was previously Sports Director at the academy of Brazilian club, Vasco da Gama.
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Qualification:
Winner of Qualifying Group E
Teranga Lions
ontrary to its players who are shining on the world stage, the Senegalese football has been irregular and is yet to win the Africa Cup of Nations. The highest level was the 2002 final where the Lions lost in penalty shoot out against Cameroon in Bamako, Mali.
Since then, the team is yet to regain such level and while it had been regular in the qualifications from 2000 to 2008, its absence in Angola 2010 permitted the team to go back to the drawing board. The proof is its superb qualification for the 2012 AFCON
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Souleymane Diawara
The Senegalese defender played his first African Cup in Tunisia in 2004 and since then he has participated in all editions with the Lions as a regular. At 33, his experience will serve as motivation for his younger teammates, majority of who are at their first participation in the AFCON. His pairing with Kader Mangane has also enabled Senegal to stop several attackers in the eliminatories. In conceding only two goals against DR Congo, the Lions have shown they know to maintain a solid defence.
Mohamed Diam
A midfielder born in France and playing in Premiership side Wigan, Diame is unknown on the continental scene but he will be one of the pillars of the Lions midfield. While he will be making his debut in the competition, he demonstrated during the double confrontation against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon (1-0 and 0-0), that he can raise his game when the competition requires. Playing in a small club where he is at the end of his contract, the player can use the AFCON as springboard to change his career.
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Team Profile: Senegal Papiss Demba Cisse Hopes to Make Impact at the 2012 AFCON we managed to reverse Papiss Demba Cisse times, the trend. But its good to meet
Papiss Demba Ciss, author of three goals during the eliminatory, will be one of the strengths of the Senegalese team in the 2012 AFCON. The second top scorer in the German 2010-2011 championship will take part in a competition that he has dreamed of and he hopes to make his mark.
a tough team from the start and that would mean that we enter fully into the competition without much calculation. The other teams are unknown but if they are in this tournament that brings together the cream of the continents football, it means they are good. We will take all our opponents seriously.
international level. If you followed the eliminatory, we were not favorites but we were able to take over and defeat our opponents.
be playing the AFCON for the first time; do you have any particular fears?
always say that there is never an easy draw. It is up to players to make it easy by giving their all to their team. All teams and players that will take part in this competition will defend themselves bravely to lift the football in their country. So do not expect easy games.
PDC: We will work to get to the end of the competition and win the trophy. But that does not mean having a superiority complex. In any case, we have gained nothing to display such a claim and we have to go game by game. We have a good crop of players who have demonstrated their desire to win something for our country. We must be humble and play with commitment. CAF: What are the strengths of the team? PDC: In addition to the quality of players we have is the solidarity and humility that best characterize this group of players who are hungry for victories at the
PDC: Its a dream for any footballer to play this competition and when it happens, we want to give our best. Most of us discovered football through the African Cup of Nations that made us dream. Ive always had this dream and I hope to be one of those who will inspire the youth. CAF: Do you have a specific goal
in this competition?
CAF: What idea do you have of the three other teams? PDC: We respect everyone, but we arent afraid of anyone in this competition. I understand that Zambia is a team that has long created problems to Senegal, although in recent
PDC: To have a specific goal I would have to be selected first. You know that Senegal has huge potential and it is pretentious to say that I would be one of the 23 players. But if I am selected, the coach and the Senegalese people know that I will spare no effort to raise our flag high. CAF: You were announced for
Bayern Munich on the eve of the AFCON, could this competition not be an obstacle to signing in one of the biggest clubs in the world?
PDC: I cannot answer this question. CAF: Who are your favorites of the 2012 AFCON? PDC: I personally do not believe in the concept of a favorite because its on the field that the action is. And recent events in African and world football have shown that all teams and players deserve respect. All the qualified teams deserve to be present at the tournament. We will confront the best African teams and best players. I am unperturbed when people talk of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Morocco. These are just speculations as it is on the pitch that one will make a difference.
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CAFoot Magazine
Team Profile: Senegal One has to watch out for surprises at the AFCON Amara Traore
Coach of Senegal CAF: Is it an advantage starting
against Zambia which you beat in the 2002 CAN as a player and member of the technical staff of the Lions of the 2006 eliminatories? will be our toughest opponent. While this team has created problems in the past, in recent years we have taken over be it in the 2002 CAN in Mali or in the eliminatories of the 2006 CAN and World Cup where we got double victory. However, this does not mean anything since we have to show on the pitch that we are superior to this team. We know the importance of the first game and we shall do all in terms of seriousness and rigor to win this encounter and those that will follow. play for the home supporters and the need to compete with others. Equatorial Guinea remains the great unknown of the group, as Senegal played recently against Zambia and Libya.
competition, we hope to go to the end. The 16 teams are saying the same thing because modern football has shown that there are. The teams that are being presented at the 2012 AFCON are the best on the continent at the moment and we must go there with humility and commitment. I believe that with good organization, seriousness and rigor, we can make the Lions fans happy.
Senegal a favorite in this AFCON? not mean anything to me in such a high level competition and observers are too often mistaken when they pay too much attention to that. However, compared to Ivory Coast and Ghana, we cannot say that Senegal is a favorite. In the recent past, the Elephants have played a final (2006), a semi-final (2008) and quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and they performed fairly well in the World Cup. Ghana on its part played the semi-final in 2008 and the final in 2010, not to mention their quarter-final at the World Cup. So both teams have shown recently that they deserve a lot of respect. However, the difference will be on the pitch, but not on paper.
happy nor frustrated to have fallen in this group because I know all teams will be difficult to play at this stage of the competition. I am not one of those who think that there is an easy or difficult group because all the teams at this level have shown their worth. This means one shouldnt undermine any of our future opponents. Thanks to our qualifying matches where we had played against Cameroon, DR Congo and Mauritius, we think we can beat any team if we are serious, strict and refuse to be complacent. Ultimately, everything is decided on the pitch because recently, we have witnessed many surprises.
the end of the first round. After the draw in which we were put in the same group with Cameroon, DR Congo and Mauritius, many pummeled us after our elimination in the 2010 AFCON. But we played the eliminatories without conceding any defeat. These games will also be difficult. Zambia is a veteran of African competitions and it plays well, Libya has shown during the eliminatories that it had high level qualities and managed to qualify out of home. Equatorial Guinea is one of the host countries of the competition and it will be difficult to play in front of its home crowd.
CAF: How do you rate your three opponents? AT: It will not be easy as
everything will be won on the pitch. As I said, Zambia is no stranger to high competitions; Libya has shown during the eliminatories that it has hidden qualities. Moreover, I respect the team for having qualified in the socio-political context that characterized their country. Even though Equatorial Guinea did not play the qualifying matches, we know beforehand that it will be difficult to beat them at home. There will be the motivation to
locally and we will have to go fast; unlike other years, Senegal will compete from day one. It means we will quickly go into camping and place ourselves in the right state for success. We have planned a regeneration session in the first week and two friendly matches in the second.
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CAFoot Magazine
Qualification:
Winner of Qualifying Group C
Chipolopolo
hipolopolo makes a Southern Africa regional record 15 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations finals with greater belief that time might have come for the Zambians twice losing finalists in 1974 and 1994 to lay their hands on the coveted but elusive continental top prize. After failing to make the elimination stages for 14 years, the Chipolopolo dazzled with their free-flowing flair of football at Angola 2010 but could not soar above the Super Eagles at the quarter-finals. But as the soccer show piece for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea draws even nearer, Chipolopolo will be looking forward to
going one step further. The Zambians have for decades been gifted with huge talents but have failed to translate that into results that would also see them shrug off the undesired tag of perennial pretenders and under-achieving sleeping giants. Since making a maiden finals tournament and reaching the final at Egypt 1974, the Zambia National team has over the years flirted with names including KK11, and Mighty Zambia before finally settling with Chipolopolo. It is that name they hope by its unsophisticated translation of copper bullets will fire them to glory. Over the same period,
the team has paraded many star players and a living legend in 1988 African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya, who led a reconstructed squad to Tunisia 1994 and only lost out to Nigeria in the final. The feat of 1994 was widely hailed as a landmark as it came on the heels of a fatal plane crash which killed an entire team which was enroute to Senegal for a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Despite that, the teams stars have continued to flatter home fans, the continent and world with their football flamboyance but silverware has remained elusive. As the team begins preparations
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A run-down through the Zambian squad shows there cannot be skepticism about the quality in depth. On their way to the quarter-finals nearly two years ago, the Chipolopolo dazzled with
The key for us will be to prepare the team very well and adequately so that the work and experience of ended years can see us conquer Africa.
for the 2012 finals, the nation is pregnant with high expectations of glory. Chipolopolo may not be the bookmakers favourites but the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) believes the time for glory could be now. For FAZ, there are a number of factors to motivate the Chipolopolo into glory next year. Says spokesperson Erick Mwanza; The Association recognizes the challenge of the Nations Cup and the nations desire to win it. Weve attempted fourteen times and going into the fifteenth finals tournament. The key for us will be to prepare the team very well and adequately so that the work and experience of ended years can see us conquer Africa. There is also a lot of emotion attached to this championship because first of all, we lost our team there on April 28 in 1993 when the De Havilland Buffalo aircraft crashed off the coast of Libreville in Gabon. And Libreville is the venue for the final. Before we talk of the final, we open the championship against Senegal, a team we were enroute to playing when our plane crashed.
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Senegal will be strong because at the moment, they maybe one of the best in Africa.
their pace, skill and flair. Months before the big kick-off in Bata, the entire legion of stars that went to Angola is still in the team. Worrying for the fans and other pundits that would be rooting for Zambia is the level of competitiveness of the squad. Present running national and international commentary on the side is that the squad needs to raise its level of competition for the Chipolopolos firing range to surpass its limit of Angola. For French born coach Herve Renard, who has returned for a second spell as head trainer, the time for an intensive camp and time enough to get the best out of every player is now. The key thing for us is the preparation and that is why I am happy to be back and understand that the federation is committed to giving us excellent training facilities and conditions. This is very important because without it, we cannot achieve anything. We need this time together to get every player back to their top levels of fitness and then we can compete with anybody, said Renard, who on his return found that every member of the squad he left at the end of finals in Angola 2010 was still available for selection. Italian trainer Dario Bonetti left the Chipolopolo top job early October by mutual consent after Zambia sealed her place at Gabon-Equatorial Guinea2012 with a home goalless draw against Libya. In dissecting each of the Group A opponents, Renard said Senegal will be strong because at the moment, they maybe one of the best in Africa. For Equatorial Guinea, all hosts are dangerous because theyre playing at home so we need to be careful. And like you said for Libya, we didnt beat them in two games in the qualifiers but we have to do it for the Africa Cup finals. I think we can qualify out of it. If anyone of us says we cannot beat these teams and cant qualify from our group, then were better off staying at home and not going to the championship.Talking is very easy but for us we will do our talking on the field. We will be ready and any answers as to whether the draw for the group and the whole tournament was good or not will be known at the end of the group matches and the final of the championship, Renard said and refused to say that the absence of record African winners and
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defending champion Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria would make the tournament and Zambias run easy. He reckons that every team had gained it right by qualifying and should therefore not be written off or underestimated. With a nation strongly believing that Chipolopolo can work their way to glory and fire Zambia to the top of the continents game, the challenge could not have come at a better time than now when another fine generation of players believes in its potential, gets prepared for the tough challenges and draws inspiration from the leadership of a chief who in his playing days and his crowning as African player of the year 1988 saw gaps and not tight defenses as he tore backlines in the quest for that elusive title. When Chipolopolo takes on the Lions of Teranga on 21st January, then the Libyans and the co-hosts, the road-map will become clearer. It might just yet be the time that no opposition would stand the heat of the blazing copper bullets.
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His international experience will be a key for a squad that now boasts of a galaxy of foreign based stars than at any other time in its entire history. That international experience, his knack for goals, power and pace complimented with the midfield artistry of Rainford Kalaba, William Njobvu, Felix Katongo, and massive work-rate of Thomas Nyirenda, could just see Zambia go all the way.
He found a team that pundits and experts reckon has lost its touch of fitness, competitiveness and a squad that is in dire need of complete surgery for it to compete and succeed at the highest levels.
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Qualification:
One of the best runners-up of Group (C)
Mediterranean Knights
ibya have featured at the Africa Cup of Nations twice in 1982 as hosts and 2006 in Egypt. In 1982, backed by the home crowd, they went all the way till the final before losing out to Ghana on penalties. Libyas second African Cup of Nations in 2006 saw a return to the higher levels of the international footballing scene, but they bid farewell after the group stage after finishing at the bottom of Group A which included hosts Egypt, Morocco and Cote dIvoire. Six years later, they will be making their third appearance after snatching one of the two best runners-up tickets in the
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qualifying campaign. Their journey was no smooth after the political instability in their country saw the team honour home games away from home in Mali and Egypt against Comoros and Mozambique respectively. At a time when the national league was postponed indefinitely, coach Marcos Paqueta and his charges fought on and success smiled at them in the end. The Mediterranean Knights finished 12 points behind Group C winners Zambia, who managed 13 points. However, it was enough to see them as one of the best runners-up alongside Sudan to the final tournament. The Libyans have been on the quiet preparing for the
tournament and fine-tune with their participation in the Arab Games in Qatar last December. Captain Samir Aboud is the leader of the team and his superb goalkeeping skills cannot be overruled. In defence, the likes of Muhammed Al-Mughrabi, Younes Al-Shibani, Omar Dawood Ali Salama are around to link up with Abdulnaser Slil, Ali Rahuma, Djamal Mahamat amongst others in the middle. In attack, trust Ahmed Zuway and Ahmed Osman to terrorize the defence of their opponents. The Libyans are housed in Group A alongside co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Senegal and Zambia.
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Coach
Marcos Csar Dias de Castro, better known as Marcos Paquet, was born on August 27, 1958 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is nicknamed Marcos Paquet because he was born in Paquet Island. He took charge of the Libyan team in July 2010 and has been credited with the teams qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations under unfamiliar conditions. As a coach, he managed Flamengo from 1990-1998 and 2001-2003. He also had stints with , Fluminense, Amrica (RJ), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) and Qatari side Al-Gharafa, which he guided to the Sheikh Jassem Cup in 2007. In 2003, as the Brazilian coach, he won both the U-17 World Championship and the U-20 World Championship.
Ahmed Saad
Saad is one of the oldest players in the Libyan squad having celebrated his 32nd birthday last August. The lanky striker has established himself as a regular member of the national team since making his debut nine-years ago. He was a member of the Libyan squad that qualified for the maiden African Nations Championship in 2009 in Cote dIvoire. During the qualifiers, he scored the winner in the lone goal victory against Zambia in October 2010, in the last match the national team played on Libyan soil.
Samir Aboud
The 39-year old is the captain of the team. Not only is Aboud the most experienced player in the team, he is also the oldest. The veteran goalkeeper will be making his second appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations at the Gabon and Equatorial bound championship after making his debut in 2006 in Egypt.
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Marcos Paqueta
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Champions:
1992
Qualification:
Elephants
he Elephants of Cote dIvoire t are making their 19th appearance at the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations,.), after their first participation in 1965. In Tunisia in, the team got bronze medal and the highest goal scorer was Eustache Mangue. In 1968, they again won the bronze medal in Ethiopia. They got to the semi final stage in 1970 in Ethiopia but ended fourth. Laurent Poku created a yet to be beaten record by scoring five goals in a game the Ivorians defeated Ethiopia 6-1 on February 10,
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1970 in Khartoum. His record of highest number of goals at the history of the Africa Cup of Nations was maintained for four decades till it was broken by the Cameroonian Samuel Etoo. The Elephants missed the 1972 competition but came back in 1974 and has participated in the competition since then but only succeeded in winning the Cup in 1992 by beating Ghana in a suspense filled penalties. The Elephants came close to repeating the exploit in 2006 but lost out against Egypt on penalties.
Having emerged fourth in Ghana, they were beaten by Algeria at the last edition in Angola. Often considered as favourite in recent years with the likes of Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho and the Tourebrothers; Yaya and Kolo, the Elephants have been unable to win the trophy. The team could have the last opportunity this year. For a generation that has played the final in 2006, the semi final in 2008 and two World Cups in six years, it is an opportunity not to miss.
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F
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ranois Zahoui who took over the team a year ago wants to be the second after compatriot Yeo Martial to offer Elephants the Cup. His dream is to succeed where he failed when he himself wore the jersey of the team.
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Qualification:
Winner Qualifying Group F
The Stallions
rom its previous participations in the competition, Burkina Fasos best result remains the fourth place in 1998 when it hosted the competition. Besides this, the Stallions have not crossed the first round of the competition. Meanwhile, they have often performed well in the qualifiers giving them reason to be hopeful. For the 2012 edition, , captain Mahamoudou Kere and his teammates believe strongly this is their opportunity. Is it because the continents heavy weights
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like Egypt, Cameroo and Nigeria are absent? Certainly not; since the team has matured with the blend of old players led by the goal poacher, Moumouni Dagano and the young generation of Sibiri Alain Traor (Auxerre), Jonathan Pitroipa (Rennes) and Bakary Kon (Lyon) who had a beautiful start of the season with their respective clubs. The Stallions is composed of players who have played together for at least five years and must be capable of handling a competition of
this magnitude. They have a rare opportunity to be in two competitions with the same coach, the Portugese technician, Paulo Duarte. He has been managing the team since 2008 and was at the 2010 edition in Angola. Coupled with the kind of experience to enable him master not only his team, but also African football. But for Paulo Duarte and his players to succeed and cross the first round, they have to confront the Elephants of Cote dIvoire, , the Palancas Negras of Angola and the Desert Hawks of Sudan.
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Key Players
Moumouni Dagano
(striker)
He is one of the most capped players in the national team alongside Mahamoudou Kere, and much will be expected of him. The striker emerged the highest scorer in the 2010 qualifiers but failed to perform at the final tournament.. Things seem favourable for him this time around as he will have players like Sibiri Alain Traor and Jonathan Pitroipa who are in good form in Europe around him. This striker, who is performing well at his Qatari club, Al Khor, is full of opportunism, good timing and adores penetrating games. He has recently improved on spot kicks, most of which he scores.
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CAF: Besides the hard work, what made the difference against your rivals? PD: Besides the daily work to improve, we
have upcoming players in different European championships and new talents that are injecting new blood in our team. Today we have players such as Sibiri Alain Traore of Auxerre in France who was irregular but is now indispensable in the team. We are rebuilding the team with young players such as Bertrand Traore (16 years) who won the last under 17 CAN in Rwanda. He is doing terrific things and for me it is not a matter of age, but being competitive. We have other youngsters in the likes of the midfielder Mohamed Koffi and the goalkeeper Germain Sanou. Two years ago I told my players that the big teams of the continent will crash because they were not renewing their squads and today I am being vindicated with the elimination of Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa.
Cafonline.com:
Between the 2010 AFCON and that of 2012, which squad was tougher? let me say we lost a great striker, Yssouf Kone. He experienced one of the most difficult periods in his career as he suffered two knee injuries and had to stay a season without playing. He is however recovering but we cannot rely on him because he is not at his full capacity. We are also losing Habib Bamogo, who has almost spent a year without playing in Nice and four months without a club. He just got a club in Greece and is beginning to play again but we cannot count on him either. However, we have the young Bertrand Traore, who will become one of the great African players in a few years from now just as Abdoul Razak Traor. Thus we have a similar team like that of 2010 but with a slight difference. This team is younger and can achieve much at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations. We are worried that we could face similar problems as in the 2010 edition in Angola where we arrived with regulars such as Habib Bamogo, Charles Kabor, Paul Koulibaly and Mamadou Tall who had left their clubs, and Jonathan Pitroipa who was recovering from injury. These diminish the physical capacity of the team.
Cafonline.com:
What accounted for the outstanding performance of the Stallions in the qualifying series?
Paulo Duarte: This is the fruit of work that started some four years back among the players, technical staff and football officials. We are building a team that is gradually progressing and the proof is its fourth place in the African rankings and 40th at the FIFA level. It should be stated that, in the qualifiers we were in a group that was not too tough but t risky since we had just three teams following the withdrawal of Mauritania. In spite of the seeming trap, we qualified without conceding any defeat. It was a deserved qualification considering the work we have been doing over the years.
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PD:
It is actually a big opportunity for us because this edition has promoted young teams and first timers. However, we have to be careful as there are still big names like Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Tunisia, Mali, Morocco and Senegal who are serious contenders for the trophy. We can also count on Burkina Faso, Zambia and Guinea and watch out for Botswana and Niger, who performed well in the qualifiers.. We cannot say it will be easy because of the absence of the big names.
PD:
Time will tell; but like I had said I will not stay in Burkina Faso forever. I have rejected proposals and decided to stay because I have adapted well to a team which is progressing well and I adore the country that has adopted me. My ambition however, is to qualify the team for the World Cup and we are getting closer to that. For me to stay in Burkina Faso, we must have an ambitious programme because football actually has a lot of pressure.
PD:
My objective is to do better than in the previous edition by prolonging our stay in the 2012 edition by crossing the first round, reach the quarter final and go further. The players are aware of what is at stake and we will able to meet the challenge because we have the means.
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Cafonline.com:
Was the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations easier?
Moumouni Dagano: I believe that there is no easy pool in football but certainly found easier matches. That was because we were more motivated, worked hard and did all to make the matches easier. Things went on well and we are grateful to God, while hoping to achieve good result in the final phase.
start?
CAF: MD:
Before the qualifiers, , we feared The Gambia more because we didnt know much about them. We said the most important step was to win all our home games and then manage the rest. With our present team we are not afraid of any team.
The Gambia were not very strong but we must admit that our experience made the difference. We have been playing together for years and at the qualifiers and final tournament. Added to that was our motivation to qualify for the finals and do a little more.
CAF: What is the state of the team considering talks in certain quarters about conflict of generation between the older players which you lead and the younger ones in the likes of Sibiri Alain Traor, Jonathan Pitroipa and Charles Kabor? MD: All is going on well in the team and the
proof is on the pitch during matches. If there was actually a conflict we would not have had the results we had in the qualifiers. When the younger players joined the squad they easily and rapidly adapted because of their talents and because of the encouragements of their elders in the team. I have always said the experience of older players and the enthusiasm of the younger ones make a good blend. It is true that people are talking of minor problems but I insist that the team is strong and there is a healthy relationship amongst players. I hope that will continue.
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Can we say the present Burkinabe team has the best generation of Stallions players?
CAF:
because during each outing of the team, each one said we will win and qualify. This year everyone was still convinced of our qualification and the onus was on us to confirm that and we succeeded in style. We can say it is one of the best generations because we have been together for many years and that has enabled us to gain experience. But one has to admit that there have
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Al Khor and I have renewed my contract with my club for one year. The team is doing well in the local championship where it features amongst the best. For now, I am focused on what I am doing with my club.
CAF: What is your objective in this AFCON and do you have the means to achieve them? MD: Our objective is to cross the first round.
Though that would not be easy, we would fight hard to achieve that. We have our opportunity in this AFCON and we will seize it. We dont just have to play group matches and come back home but we have to do better than in previous editions. We are aware of the stakes and we are going to qualify for the second round and I am confident because we have the means to go far in this competition.
CAF: What is your future with your club, Al Khorr in Qatar and do you feel like coming back to Europe?
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Qualification:
One of the best runners-up of Group (I)
Desert Hawks
any people in Sudan consider that the matter is different this time for the first national team, , as they came back to Africa Cup of Nation finals for the second time in six years. They made their first return during the 2008 edition in Ghana after being absent for 32years since Ethiopia finals in 1976. s. Sudans results in matches of the qualifiers had been appreciated, since it triumphed over Congo, Swaziland home and away, drew 0-0 with Ghana in Kumasi,before losing 0-2 to the Black Stars in the final match in Omuderman, but they qualified as one of the best runners-up.
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The Sudan team found a great attention and patronage from fans, and received support from internal and external camps, which contributed largely in its qualifying to finals.,. Sudan was drawn in Group B alongside strong forces such as Cote dIvoire, t, Angola and Burkina Faso. Sudan has two main objectives in Equatorial Guinea- Gabon. Firstly, to avoid a repeat of their appaling performance in 2008, where they failed to score a goal in three matches. Secondly, to qualify out of the group, because they have been absent from that stage since 1972 in Cameroon.
The expectations are big this time, but the team faces a problem in its defense and attacking lines, since first choice striker, Mudathir Eltaieb Careca, has been injured with muscle strain since October 2010. He has not only been absent from Al Hilal matches, but also he has been absent both locally and continentally. The defender Ahmed Safari Ali, one of the most experienced in the Sudanese backline also picked an injury at the middle of the season and is expected to recover to partner Seif Masawi in centeral defence.
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Key Players
Elmuez Mahjoub - Goal keeper and Captain
Elmuez Mahjoub is the most experienced goalkeeper in the Sudanese team. He is rated as the first goal keeper in Sudan and for local giants, Al Hilal. He was one of the four players of the current team who featured in the 2008 edition in Ghana. He has played in the first national team since 2007 and so has accumulated great experience as a result of his continuous play with his club and the national team.
Mesawi surfaced. Masawi was forced to change his position from the midfield to the central defense and the national team also benefited from this change. Coach Mazda is depending on him for this years tournament because Seif Masawi has succeeded in introducing a persuaded ability that has made him one of the pillars of the national teams. He also played at the 2008 finals in Ghana.
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known by the physical strength of players. We are a new generation who hold the Sudan-team flag and we have benefited from the trials of the former team in CAN 2008. Although that team was a homogenous team, getting back to the finals after thirty-two years seemed to be a bit strange for them. We will do our best in order not to repeat the loss in Ghana 2008.
2012 is considered as an extension to the participations in the former editions. We hope to be present at subsequent editions. This time, we have the chance to introduce Sudanese players to Europe. Therefore we hope that, at least five players will get this chance at the end of the competition and play in European Premier Leagues. This is one of our aims in going to the tournament.
qualification?
BJ: The Sudan Football Association, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sport, and Sudanese fans have directed their attention towards the national teams. All of these institutions played various roles to help us qualify to CAN 2012 finals. We will be innovators when we feel that they have us at heart and that they are taking care of us.
As players, we planned well and told each other we must qualify to the finals. Sudan must always be present at CAN finals. This thought started strongly since our match against Ghanas team in Kumasi, we compelled them to draw 0-0.
CAF: What will be different from the participation in Ghana 2008, where Sudan was eliminated at the first round? BJ: Things will be different this time. Firstly, the ages of our current players are between nineteen and twenty-eight and with support from experienced old players, backed by the coach will benefit from we shall go far. These ages give us great motivation and help us in playing the matches from the beginning till the end in that African football is particularly
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objective at the
The technical and the managerial bodies will help to make our participation better this time. Firstly, at least five players must find their way to the Europe Premier Leagues. Secondly, we will not repeat the Ghana 2008 scenario, in which Sudan lost to all the teams and so was eliminated from the first round. We want to qualify to the second round, then we will see what we can do.
players in the best and big European leagues. As for Angola, we played against them at the CHAN semifinal in Khartoum last February. For Burkina Faso, they are from West Africa the mostdeveloped region in football in Africa. All the three teams have good professionals, so we will play every match and put in our minds that we are competing against a big team, who must gain our respect and consideration. We will do our best to abduct at least one point in one match and win in the rest.
Angola, particulaly as they are the team who eliminated Sudan from ChAN final in Khratoum last Februrary?
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Team Profile: Sudan CAF: What aresome of the abilities you will
show in the coming CAN 2012 to challenge the African professionals in Europe?
African teams and against players such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou amongst others. We want to prove to all that Sudanese players can comete at the highest level. It is for this reason that we will do our best to prove that we have the ability to play in Europe. They are big stars and play in the best European premier leagues but we have the ambition to play in Europe like them to raise the value of Sudanese players. During the last four years, we have played against big African teams and we forced them them to draws. The nearest example of that is our match against Ghana on October 2010, which we drew 0-0 although they brought thier big players like Asamoah Djan and two of Abede Peles sons and other big names based in Europe.
CAF: What is your promise to Sudanese BJ: Sudan players and Sudanese people will be
football fans? delighted to witness Sudans presence at the CAN 2012 finals. We want this delight to continue, so, we will work to represent Sudan appropriately and to prove that the Sudanese player cannot be intimidated. We promise Sudanese that we will do our best. This is the biggest football championship in Africa and most of Sudans players playing for the first time in it and they are aware that they honoring their nation.
Balla Jabir stressed that they will not allow repetition of the losses which Sudan incurred at CAN 2008 in Ghana to be repeated
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Palancas Negras
he Angolan national football team, Palancas Negras, after a dismal campaign in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, are housed in Group B with Cote dIvoire, Burkina Faso and Sudan. The Angolans went through on the final day of the qualifying series. Clearance was achieved only in the last round on 8th October 2011, in Bissau, after victory over Guinea-Bissau, which ended in 2-0. The players are the most popular and advanced Manucho Gonalves (Valladolid of Spain) and Flavio Amado (SK Lierse oof Belgium), as well as defensive midfielder and Captain Andre
Macanga (Al Jahra, Kuwait). Manucho was top scorer of the national team during the qualifiers, with four goals, but with the return of striker Flavio, coach Lito Vidigal can breathe a sigh of relief in the center forward. Angola started the campaign with a defeat against Uganda in Kampala (0-3) on 4th October 2010. They rectified the bad start in the second round, at home by hitting on 9th October 2010 Guinea-Bissau (1-0) in Luanda, Nevertheless, the national team again fell (1-2) when they moved to Nairobi against Kenya on 26thMarch, 2011.
This defeat alerted the sports authorities of the country and so they demanded changes in the behaviour of players and coaching staff. Because of pressure from the society, the Angolan team changed its strategy. They won on 5thJune, 2011, in Luanda, when they played against the Harambee Stars and it ened in 1-0. Again, in the fourth round, they beat Uganda 2-0 on 4th October, 2011. This result has rekindled the hopes of Angolas participation in the African Nations Cup, whose final phase will take place in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, between January
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They showed an exquisite football on the pitch, but at least offsetted this lack of technique with a will and a force of an impressive fighting spirit.
21 and February 12, 2012. After the triumph, Uganda continued to lead the Group J with 10 points, and nine for the Angolans. The last round selections were: Uganda (10 points), Angola (9) and Kenya (7). On the final day, when the national team was triumphing over Guinea Bissau, 2-0, with goals from Manucho Gonalves and Mateus Galiano, in Kampala, Uganda tied (0-0) against Kenya, confirming their qualification with 12 points. Ugandans relegated to the background Kenya with 11points and eight points. They showed an exquisite football on the pitch, but at least offsetted this lack of technique with a will and a force of an impressive fighting spirit. The image is that this campaign was a selection of withdrawn and no reaction at first. In the middle of the walk, they gave up and managed to get the people to their feet, and finally uttered the cry of joy, sweat and persistence.
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Finally, a squad is used to overcome difficulties and has extra power when least expected. The history of the national team included some titles. At the Lusophone Games, the national team won a silver medal in 2006 and a bronze medal in 2009; they won three times the Cup COSAFA (1999, 2001, 2004); were 23rd in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and five appearances in African Cup of Nations (1996, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010). For 2012, in Group B, based in Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Angola, will face wellknown opponents, Burkina Faso who competed in editions 1978, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2010; the Sudan was in 1957, 1959, 1963, 19701, 1972, 1976, 2008, and the Ivory Cost (1966, 1968, 1970 , 1974, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 19921, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2010).
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With these resorts, Vidigal created a strong and a united team through humility and courage.
cafonline.com: How do you assess your Lito Vidigal: Angola is in the toughest group
of the event, against teams with great technical ability and highly competitive enviable. But, we are accustomed to overcoming obstacles.
CAF: What are the chances of Angola in this group? Lito Vidigal: The most important thing is to work to improve the previous levels. The opponents are the same, although the presence of Cote dIvoire t awakens attention. The group is really difficult. It is the group of death. That is what happened in 2010. We cannot regret it. We think we are all capable of being the winners at the finals in 2012. We must be prepared to face the difficulties ahead.
some fear?
CAF: Does the presence of Cote dIvoire ring Lito Vidigal: Cote dIvoire is a very strong and
highly rated team, but no team is unbeatable. On the other hand, Burkina Faso is a team that has evolved greatly in Africa and has a strong squad. Sudan is also strong and has a core of players from the African Nations Championship they hosted last year. During that tournament, we knocked them out at the semi final. Therefore, all the necessary care will be taken to face Sudan.
CAF: What is your target? Lito Vidigal: Its a tough group. Any team can
advance to the next round, for Angola we have our objectives. We will do what we can to beat our opponents, irrespective of position in the rankings. I know that everyone is better than Angola in the rankings, but thats not enough to give up the fight. We are going till the end.
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Qualification:
Co-Host to Equatorial Guinea
Panthers
ut for the 1996 edition in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals, Gabon have yet to make a major impact in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. Apart from that, they exited at the first round on all previous appearances in 1994 (Tunisia), 2000 (Ghana & Nigeria) and 2010 (Angola). In Angola, they gave a good account of themselves in a tough group which included Cameroon, Zambia and Tunisia, but missed out on the ticket to the next spot on goal difference. Playing at home, the Panthers will be a force to reckon after engaging in series of high profile friendly matches after being excused from the qualifying series by virtue of being co-hosts with Equatorial Guinea.
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Their preparations for the tournament have been centred at home with matches against Equatorial Guinea and Brazil in October and November respectively. It was the match against the five-time World champions that made clear the intent of the Panthers as far as the 28th edition of the continental showpiece event is concerned. To bring the almighty Brazil to Africa is a clear sign of a team with huge ambitions. Later, they suffered a 1-2 loss to Ghana in an international friendly in Paris but it served a learning process for Gernor Rohr and his charges. The teams preparation received a major boost with the performance of their Olympic team at the CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco,
where they stunned the host in the final. It marks the first ever title for Gabon in a major championship. The performance of the team has given Rohr further options in his quest to build a winsome team for the tournament. Already, the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Saint-Etienne), Eric Mouloungi (Lille) and goalkeeper Didier Ovono are making headways in the French League. For the Gabonese, the tournament means a lot to them, a feeling which has compelled star man Daniel Cousin to join local side, Sapins last year to be in shape for the tournament. The co-hosts are housed in Group C alongside Morocco, Niger and Tunisia.
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Didier Ovono
Ovono has been first choice goalkeeper for the Panthers for the last half decade. At 28, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad and much will be expected of him as the team will be playing in front of their fans. His charisma, professionalism and skills has served his driving force. The tournament will be his second successive appearance at the biggest stage of African football after a disappointing campaign in 2010 in Angola.
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CAF: What are your objectives for the tournament? GR: We hope to go till the end of the competition and put up a good showing in spite of pressure at home. We have to honour this country which has put in a lot of resources to host this competition. My most important wish is that, after the competition, all these people who have put so much will look back and say it was worth it. CAF: What pressure are you talking about? GR: The pressure of winning, of playing at
home and from the public. This is also a source of motivation. The players should not be constrained by this pressure.
CAF: What is your assessment of the other three teams in Group A? GR: Everyone knows that, Niger beat Egypt and South Africa to qualify. Morocco eased past Algeria whilst Tunisia also won the CHAN. These are three tough teams and are difficult to beat. Morocco and Tunisia have several players playing abroad in tougher leagues. Niger, on its part, are not very tough but are collective and aggressive. CAF: Are you hoping to replicate the historic performance of the Gabon U-23 team that won the CAF U-23 Championship held last December in Morocco? GR: Everything is possible even without Rohr. We have been training and have been trying to help the players gain experience, a certain level of moral, organisation and a game plan. For two years now, we have followed one direction with a blue print. We have rebuilt the team, renewed the technical staff and now we have a competitive capable of winning at every level.
determination and training. We have a motivated and harmonious team with great ambition.
CAF: Do you think you have a team that can achieve your ambitions? GR: Yes, I have chosen worthy players. We have players with a collective spirit and are willing to play as a team. We are not blessed with big names, but we have a solid team.
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Qualification:
Winner of Qualifying Group G
Mena (Antilope)
ena of Niger has been the revelation of the continent in recent years. Having gradually emerged as a strong football nation in the UEMOA zone since the inception of the tournament in West Africa, Niger has not stopped progressing on the continent. A year ago, Mena was one of the surprised qualified teams of the African Nations Championship in Sudan 2011. They eliminated the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify. Mena was eliminated in
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the competition at the quarter final stage on penalties to the host country, Sudan. It is a determined and experienced Mena which will be going to Gabon in January. Having qualified from a difficult group comprised South Africa, Egypt and Sierra Leone, the team has acquired a high level. The team has also been beefed up with foreign based players. The teams starting line up have the likes of Williams Tongi Ngounou and Olivier Harouna. The technical staff
was also strengthened with the recruitment of the Frenchman Roland Courbis. Meanwhile, officials of the Niger Football Federation are aware of the task ahead of them considering that they are in the same group with Morocco, Tunisia and co-hosts Gabon. That is why they have put in place an intensive preparation programme including several friendly matches and training camp outside to acclimatize.
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Idrissa Laouali
Born on September 11, 1983, the ASFA Yennenga player is the emblematic captain of Mena. He has participated in all of the teams matches in recent years and also had a fantastic season with ASFA Yenneng in 2010. The teams leader uses both his technique and power to make his presence. He is part of the recent suppression of local Mena players.
Chicoto Mohamed
He is the heart beat of the Nigerian public. Having deputised for Koffi Dankwa while at Sahel Sporting Club, Mohamed took advantage of his departure to Esperance of Zarzis to shine. He is the unbeatable right back of the Mena. He recently signed for Platinium Stars in South Africa.
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Is Mena ready for the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations? Currently, we have a good team even though there are some modifications to be made. We have to play more friendly matches before the D-day. Personally, I have to assure our supporters that after suffering some injury, I am working hard to be at my best during the tournament.
What objectives have you set as players for this AFCON? Considering the fact that, it is our first participation, we are going to represent our country honourably. Our objective will be to cross the first round and progress from there.
How do you assess your chances in your group? It is a manageable group even though it is one of the toughest. We will do all to have our say. With the support of the Nigerien people, officials of FENIFOOT and the authorities, everything will be done so that we can perform well.
What does it mean being nominated among the best African based players? I must say it surprised me as I wasnt expecting such a distinction. It is certainly the fruits of all our efforts during the qualifiers and other competitions. It is the result of my team mates and myself as well as Nigerien football. I am really proud.
Whats the opinion about the massive recruitment of Nigerien players by European clubs? It is the result of our performance during the qualifiers.. It is proof that Nigerian football is developing. If this continues,
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Qualification:
Atlas Lions
he Atlas Lions will be making a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing out on the last edition in Angola two years. The Gabon and Equatorial Guinea tournament will be the 14 th time the Moroccans will be appearing at the biennial championship. Having missed out on the Angola 2010 edition, the team managed by Belgian Eric Gerets reorganized themselves to qualify for the 28th edition of the competition by emerging as the top placed team in Group d which included Maghrebian fellows, Algeria, Central Africa Republic and Tanzania.
However, they had to wait till the last day of the qualifiers to know their fate courtesy a 3-1 win over Tanzania in Marrakech
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whilst contenders Central Africa Republic slipped to a 0-2 loss to Algeria away. Their only loss in the campaign was a lone goal defeat against Algeria in Annaba. The Atlas Lions finished on 11 points, three more than surprise packets Central African Republic and Algeria, whilst Tanzania rests at the depth of the standings with five points. After losing in the final of the 2004 edition to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, the Moroccans have failed to go past the first round in their two ensuing appearances in 2006 (Egypt) and 2008 (Ghana). This time round, much will be expected of them after new lease of life brought into the team by Gerets. The current Atlas Lions squad is a mixture of youth and experience with upcoming stars like Mehdi
Benatia of Italian side Udinese, captain Houssine Kharja, who also plays in the Italian Serie A for Fiorentina, Adel Taraabt of English side, Queens Park Rangers combining with old limbs such as Youssef Hadji (Rennes), Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal) and Badr El Kaddouri (Celtic). The current crop of players are carrying the hopes of the country and aspirations of high of them to end the long drought which has rocked the team since 1976, which is the only time they won the title. Morocco will face yet another tough test in North African rivals Tunisia at the tournament in Group C which also include co-hosts Gabon and debutants Niger.
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Champions:
2004
Qualification:
Carthage Eagles
he Carthage Eagles will be making their 15th appearance at biennial championship in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Tunisians also boast of an impressive record of having participated at every edition of the tournament since 1994.
lone goal loss to Botswana and 2-2 draw with Malawi in Tunis and Rades respectively. After five matches, the Tunisians had seven points out of a possible 15 points. Then came the shy-looking Trabelsi, who signed off on grand style after guiding the local component of the Carthage Eagles to the title at the African Nations Championship in Sudan last February. After that his contract was extended to cover the remainder of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and victories over Chad and Togo coupled with a barren draw against Malawi was enough to see them qualify automatically in Group K alongside Botswana, who were through with three games to spare. The 2004 winners finished on 14 points, three points adrift of leaders Botswana.
But it was not easy this time as they had to wait till the final day of the qualifying series to learn their status. After a poor start to the campaign, it took former national star, Sami Trabelsi to revive the fortunes of the team and secured them a place amongst the 14 teams aside co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial. Housed in Group K which had five team and two tickets on display, the Carthage Eagles were one point out of contention after
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The Tunisians are not ranked among the favourites but are looking forward to improve on their performance at the last edition in Angola where they failed to go past the first round. Much will be expected of midfield dynamo, Oussama Darragi, who was crowned the CAF Player of the Year 2011 (based in Africa) during the CAF Awards Gala in Accra, Ghana last December. Together with Esperance teammates Khaled Korbi, Youssef Msakni, Zouheir Dhaouadi of Club Africain, Amine Chermiti, Issam Jemaa, they have a squad capable of causing a stir at the tournament. The Carthage Eagles will face North African rivals Morocco, Niger and co-hosts Gabon at the group phase.
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Oussama Darragi
Darragi is the key man in midfield for the Carthage Eagles. The 24-year old had a wonderful spell in 2011 season where he won for major trophies including the African Nations Championship title in Sudan. The Esperance captain was pivotal as the Blood and Gold conquered Africa and Tunisia by winning the Tunisian League and Cup as well as the Orange CAF Champions League. He was also named the best player in the Tunisian league in 2010.
Issam Jemaa
The Auxerre forward is star man of the Tunisian attack. His six-goals during the qualifiers proved vital as the team went through. Jemaa, who made his debut in 2005 has risen to become an integral member of the Carthage Eagles during the years. He was in the squad for the 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and his experience is expected to play a vital role in the teams quest for the silverware which has eluded them since 2004.
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Champions:
1963, 1965, 1978, 1982
Qualification:
Winner of Qualifying Group I
Black Stars
hanas Black Stars will be aiming for a fifth triumph at the biggest football stage on the continent. After failing to follow in the shadows of Tunisia and Egypt, ultimate winners as hosts in 2004 and 2006 respectively, the four-time winners have been offered yet a golden opportunity to up their successes. After narrowly missing out on the title after losing to Egypt in the final of the last edition in 2010 in Angola, captain John Mensah and his colleagues appear poised to the three-year myth. In Angola, the young Ghanaian team that was dominated by members of the
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U-20 team that had won the FIFA U-20 World title in Egypt months earlier shocked the entire continent by reaching the final after easing past hosts Angola and Nigeria along the road. Under Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic, who replaced compatriot Milovan Rajevac in December 2010, the Black Stars have maintained their form and qualified as winners of Group I which included the likes Sudan, Congo and Swaziland. The Stars left it late to qualify on the final day of the qualifiers thanks to a 2-0 win over Sudan in Khartoum and thanks to
goals by leading marksman Asamoah Gyan and centre back, Mensah. They finished on 16 points, three points adrift of leaders Sudan, Congo in that order with six points and Swaziland with no point at the bottom. The performance of the Stars qualification campaign include midfield duo Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu with Gyan being at his usual best. New faces like goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey, who plays for Norwegian side, Stromsgodset and his club-mate Mohammed Abu gave a good account of themselves.
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Kwarasey, has fitted perfectly between the sticks since making his debut in the pen-ultimate qualifier against Swaziland.
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Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu
Date of birth: December 2, 1990 Club: Udinese (Italy)
Agyemang-Badu played an influential role in the Black Stars qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He is a regular in midfield and has added to the options in the stronghold of the Ghana team. He was the toast of fans in the last three matches of the qualifiers and his goals against Congo and Swaziland proved crucial to the Black Stars reaching the final. His assets include physique and ability to score from set-pieces. The 21-year old midfielder is also experiencing a regular spell with Italian side Udinese.
Asamoah Gyan
Date of birth: 22 November 1985 Club: Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Gyan is by far the most popular Ghanaian footballer. Famed for his dancing skills anytime he scores, he has established himself as the top marksman of the Black Stars after the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will be his third Africa Cup of Nations on the trot and Gyan believes the time is ripe for the Black Stars to break the thirty-year jinx. The scoring boots of the twenty-six-year old has not deserted him despite moving from English side Sunderland to Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in a mega-loan deal. His experience over the years will be expected to come to bear on the teams performance as they seek land the title which has eluded them since 1982.
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EAB: Not at all. Their absence will in no way affect the tournament. All the qualified teams are strong and are there on merit. For a team like Senegal, they have nine strikers playing regularly in major leagues abroad. The best of African talents will be assembled in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. CAF: Which
are used to that. They are good players but we have to contend with the situation that they wont be available.
expressed that the time is ripe to break the 30-year jinx at the Africa Cup of Nations. How do you respond to that?
misplaced. Everyone is seeking an end to the 30-year jinx especially in the absence of teams such as Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon. It is too early to comment on that. Teams like Senegal, Morocco and Cote dIvoire are also in contention. We are just hoping for an injury-free tournament and we will take it from there.
EAB: In my opinion, four teams namely Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Cote dIvoire are the favourites. I tip them to go farthest in the competition. You can never rule out surprises either. CAF: You have risen to become
an integral part of the Black Stars. What has been the driving force?
EAB: It is due to hard work and dedication. I take my training sessions seriously and this has led to my breaking into the first team at my club, Udinese. However, I wont rest there, as I am determined to redouble my efforts and take the team to greater heights. CAF: Ghana will be without
EAB: In football, goal scoring is not only reserved for the front line but each member of the team. If the defence links very well with the midfield and so with the aattack, then you can expect the goals. I dont think we have a problem with our attack having scored in at least every game. CAF: Which players do you expect
to make the headlines at the tournament?
positive impact on us. Our team is a mixture of old and new players compared to two years ago in Angola, where we were the youngest team. We are on course and are prepared to give off 120 percent to win the title. Our quest for the title heavily rests on our performance after each game.
influential players like Michael Essien, Richard Kingson among others. What effect will their absence have on the team?
EAB: Players like Michael Essien and Kevin Prince Boateng are great players. For two years, we have not seen much of Essien due to injuries. The team has adjusted in his absence. Boateng was not really involved in the qualifiers and we
EAB: Some of the players to watch out for are Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia, who is my playing mate at Udinese, Ghanas Andre Ayew, Senegalese duo, Papiss Demba Cisse and Demba Ba. Also, Gabon has some talented players in their set up.
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Goran Stevanovic: Our opponents in the group are strong teams. No team will be easy and we can only underrate any of the teams at our own peril. We are determined and are bent on going farthest in the tournament. CAF: How far do you think your team can go? GS: As far as we can. I am very optimistic in the
clearly that the Africa Cup of Nations remains my objective. The team is made up of young players who can play for the next 12-years. This is a good prospect and a good future for Ghana.
CAF: Your team has been described as goal-shy. How do you hope to overcome that situation at the tournament? GS: I promised an attacking playing style when I
took over and I stand by that. We have scored at least once in matches during the qualifying series and in friendly matches. This is enough to tell everyone that we can score.
abilities of my team. We have managed to build a compact team over time and now we have to show all that we are made up of. We are ready to be champions.
CAF: How are you preparing for the tournament? GS: We will hold a training camp in South
Africa early January to be fine-tuned for the tournament. While in South Africa, we will play against the South Africa national team and also face club side Kaizer Chiefs before leaving for our base in Gabon. We will travel to South Africa with twenty-five players; two players will be dropped based on the performance at training.
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winning team?
CAF: Do you think you have a tournamentGS: I am highly optimistic about the prospect
of this team. The quality is there and with the support of all, they should be able to bring the trophy home. When I took over the team, I stated
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Qualification:
Winner of Qualifying Group K
Zebras
fter a long and tiring road, the Zebras can now pride themselves on the merits of their qualification for the 2012 AFCON tournament, now and for many years to come. The current team will go into the history books as the first team or batch of players from the country to qualify for the African football spectacle. For many years gone by, the country was looked down upon in football with the country being mainly synonymous with beef and diamond exports. The country can now rise and claim what many before them have only dreamt of, a place at the Africa Cup of Nations
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finals. Win it and be ranked among the best teams that the continent can offer and add their names to the illustrious list of power houses that are synonymous with football in Africa. Since the inception of the Zebras, to its affiliation to CAF in 1976 and then FIFA in 1978, the country has come up short in the football community from the 70s to the 80s to the early 90s. Its first recorded international was against Malawi away and the result was a heavy 8-1 defeat and their biggest win came in 2002 when they walloped Swaziland 6-2 in the Gaborone.
Through the years the countrys qualification has been fluctuant, but a 0-0 draw in 2006 with the then African champions, Egypt, set tongues wagging about the countrys potential and ability. They would go on to contain Cote dIvoire 1-1 in Gaborone in a 2010 World Cup qualifier only to lose 4-0 away to the Ivorians. Once again, the Zebras were slowly cutting the gap between themselves and the African powerhouses.
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The current squad made it through qualification with slight difficulty and if their bid was anything to go by, they may not be done yet as they will attempt to cause major upsets at the tournament.
The Players
Modiri Marumo (Keeper)
The well travelled shot-stopper is familiar to many as his tenor between the posts has seen him deny some of the continents finest predators and coming out unscathed. The keeper has played for the countrys army side BDF XI Sporting Club before a spell in Egypt and is currently plying his trade at South African side, Bay United.
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The lanky defender nicknamed Legs of Steel will be hoping to lead the country to new heights at the tournament.
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CAF: As one of the key players, how long have you been in the squad and how has the experience been so far? JM: I started playing for the national team from
January 2005, and things were very tough from the beginning until now.. It is only that at least now we are getting there, we are still learning how to do things at international level.
CAF: What would you say was or is the difference JM: Actually, I would not say there is much difference,
what I can tell you is that before they were building a foundation for us and now most of the young players that are coming in are learning some things from us that we got from the likes of Seabo (Gabanakgosi), Shoes (Khumo Motlhabane) among others.
CAF: Talking of young players, how has their gradual introduction worked out to benefit the team? JM: What I can tell you is that there is no way you can
do without the senior players because they know it all.. When I arrived, I was at the age of 20. During that time, I think I was the youngest player and there were experienced players that were guiding me to be what I am today, so we really need the mixture of both, young and senior players.
CAF: The team started qualification on a quiet note due to the 2010 World Cup, would you say that helped ease the pressure off the players? JM: Umh...no one was talking about us. Even here
in Botswana no one gave us a chance of qualifying and when we arrived in Tunisia for the first game. , I remember the Thursday, before the game, we were just sitting down as players and said that at least if we lose then they must not score anything more than 2 goals. Our target was a draw and fortunately we managed to get all the three points. I believe thats when everyone started to gain confidence that we can go through.
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CAF: How did the team manage to stay focused during the campaign especially after the first round of the qualification matches? JM: Before we started, before we went to Tunisia,
we sat down with the technical team and the coach told us that we cannot afford to lose any game and if we play every game as it comes, then there is nothing that can stop us from winning all the games.
JM: In football you may never know but what I can tell you is that we are not going there to participate. We are going to fight; we will see what happens when we get there. CAF: What is the mindset of players and aspirations for the tournament? JM: Everyone is excited about going to the Africa
Cup of Nations and I can tell you that we are all focused on working hard to be in the team that will go and play.We want to make an impact if we go out at the group stage. We want to beat one team at least if we can get a win out of the games that we will play.
CAF: Who would you single out as the main motivator in the team? JM: For now there is no one that I can single out
as the main motivator in the team because we are working as a team, but the courage that we got from the likes of Mogogi (Gabonamong), Dipsy (Diphetogo Selolwane) and Marumo (Modiri Marumo) and other senior players, always give us the courage. They told us to believe in ourselves and I will say thanks to the coach for putting us together as one team.
CAF: How would you assess the teams chances at the finals given the level of competition that will be on display?
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be like seeing Botswana go through the group stages to the knock-out stages. I just want to see what will happen. I think it can happen through hard work that we will be putting up, if we can just prepare well just as we started the campaign (qualification) because then we prepare vdery well, so I think if we can get that kind of preparation we will go through.
CAF: What are your ambitions for the tournament? JM: When we get there I just want to see what it will
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otswana coach Stanley Tshosane discusses his teams qualification for the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations and their chances at the tournament.
FC reserve team. From 1989-1990, I was head coach at BDF XI FC under 12/15. Later, I moved to Gabane United in 1990 to 1992. From 1993 to 1998, I was an assistant coach at Mogoditshane Fighters. It was while I was still an assistant coach at Fighters that I was appointed an assistant coach of the under 20 National team in 1998. I then went to care-take coach at Gabane Santos and the served as an assistant coach. Back at Fighters, I moved onto BDF XI as an assistant coach in 1999 and the following year I was made head coach until 2009 when I became head coach of the National Team.
CAF: Briefly tell us about your coaching career. ST: It started in 1988, when I coached BDF XI
were not succeeding; but following that 4-0 defeat to Cote dIvoire in 2008, I saw that we had to change a few things like the our system of play and game approach. We also had to rebuild the team by bringing in new players and to beef up with then current players, because I remember there was a time when I called in 58 players into camp. They came in three groups so as to assess them and know that as I sit now even though they may not be called up, I would know that there is a player of this calibre out there.
CAF: Still on the Qualifiers, how did you manage to motivate players when playing powerhouses like Tunisia and Togo? ST: During the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Finals in Angola, I had the opportunity to watch Tunisia play and I remember wishing to be drawn against them and it came to pass. I assessed that Tunisian team that played in Angola since there was a likelihood of the same players featuring in the qualifiers.. During preparation, I showed the players tapes of the Tunisian and Togolese team matches and I told them they are beatable. I would say that our strategy also motivated the players as such as they built their confidence in the technical team.
CAF: Looking at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, what was the main motivation when you started the campaign? ST: I would say it was the urge to succeed. To take you back, I was like any other Motswana who used to think of why we did not do well. When I joined the BFA as care taker in 2001 with the then Zebras coach Jelusic Veselin and again assisting Olwyn Rowe, I would wonder why we
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ST: In our group, most people did not give us a chance to progress. Most people saw Tunisia and Togo progress with Malawi and Chad fighting for third place and us at the bottom, but it did not work. At the start of the campaign, Togo drew with Chad while we beat Tunisia. Those made the players believe that they can achieve qualification. CAF: Many milestones were reached throughout the qualifications. Jerome Ramatlhakwana was leading the scoring charts, and the team became the first to qualify and is making a maiden appearance at the finals, how did this affect in the team? ST: It was a good achievement and it gained us respect from other teams; many teams congratulated us and many advised us that the very same teams that will be playing at
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the finals are the same teams that have played and been beaten by other so called minor teams. Also the players were motivated by others to do their best but I would say that immediate preparation will be key to getting better results at the finals.
CAF: Speaking of preparations, how is the teams preparation coming along? ST: We have missed two FIFA dates for international friendlies so far. For now I am looking forward to the upcoming camp and we are supposed to go to three countries for training before heading to the finals.
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Qualification:
Winner Qualifying Group A
Eagles
ali, which was hitherto not regular in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations, came to a limelight after its defeat by Congo in the final of the 1972 edition in Yaounde. The Eagles then came to the continental scene making an appearance at the 1994 edition after 22-year absence. It was an exceptional generation with players like Salif Keita, Cheick Fantamady Diallo, Bakoroba Toure, Cheick Fantamady Keita and Kidian Diallo. Mali has ended fourth in three editions of the competition; in 1994, in 2002 as host and in 2004. In recent years, Mali has imposed itself as a powerful football nation in Africa.
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In spite of star players like Seydou Keita of FC Barcelona, Frederic Oumar Kanoute of FC Serville, Adama Coulibaly (AJ Auxerre) and Mahamadou Diarra (former Real Madrid player), Mali were eliminated in the first rounds of the 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The team has since 2010 been going through tough times and the coach Alain Giresse has been seeking the right formula to set the team on the rails again. In spite of its uncertainty, Mali possesses a tough team for the Gabon and Equatorial Guinea soccer jamboree. Mali will play in Group D in Franceville alongside Ghana, Botswana and Guinea.
However the draws, all teams for the competition are tough. Even though the Eagles faced difficulties in the qualifiers, the competition is open and would be decided on the pitch. It is a final phase and the very small teams are absent. All teams deserve being present and have equal strength. The first match is vital as it assures the progress of the team in the other two games. It is an important match, declared Alian Giresse after the draws. Mali will be participating in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations for the seventh and third consecutive time
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CAF: What about the preparatory schedule? AG: The preparatory programme doesnt have to change in relation to the opponent. We have to put in place a strategy. We will only make additions with regards to information on our opponents in order to better prepare against each encounter. All teams in the final phase are tough and if we have to go to the end, we have to battle hard against every team. Our preparation is not fashioned with regards to our rivals but that which was put in place for the tournament. That consists of a proper camping, adapted training and training based on the information of our rivals.
CAF: Is the group conscious of the rivalry between Mali, Ghana and Guinea? AG: It is a West African rivalry . There is Guinea, our neighbour which we know well. It is not very complicated when it comes to Guinea and Ghana. We will, nonetheless, have to obtain some information about Botswana.
perform well with our team. We can play a great role in this AFCON and go to the end. To achieve that we need the necessary means in all compartments.
CAF: What are your ambitions? CAF: Burkina Faso is mentioned as a sparring AG: To prove that we can
Alain Giresse
Mali Coach
CAF: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Mali team? AG: We have a young team and there is hope in most of the players as they are becoming mature. However, we dont have to underestimate our rivals. CAF: Is there anything special in confronting Guinea in the opening game? AG: TThe particularity is that they are our neighbours, but it is also good to start the competition well. A good start is good for the psychology and morale of the team.
AG: We will play against Burkina Faso in the first match on November 11 because we had to choose a team we will not meet in the competition. It was the same thing for Burkina Faso, which was in the same situation like us. It will be the first time we will be playing against Burkina Faso. But the real preparation will be during the camping. This will precede the competition and that is when we will get into precise and detailed training. CAF: Will you parade the same team as during the qualification series? AG: New players have sprung up within three months and everything seems complicated. Some of them are talented players who are unknown. Thus players that will be called up in the squad will be regulars or players whose performances in their clubs are known.
Alain Giresse: We have Ghana, which is not only a favorite in this group but also for the trophy. Then we have Botswana, an unknown
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are from the national championship. Apart from those, it is a little complicated now given the time and considering the level of local players compared to professionals.
Adama Coulibaly
(Eagles Captain)
AG: I spent four professional and extraordinary years in Gabon. That is however in the past now and personally, it has nothing to do with the fact that the Malian team will be playing matches in Gabon. Its a new place and all that counts is preparation. I dont have to place my personal feelings in relation to a country. CAF: Do you have the means to achieve your objectives? AG: I hope so. I would like if everything is orgainsed and well planned for the team when we start preparations. Things should be in order up to the start of next month so that we have the best working conditions. There are possibilities for this in the federation and I hope all will be put in place for us to realize our dreams. Coach Alain Giresse
The former coach of Toulouse and Paris-Saint Germain, Alain Giresse qualified Mali for the final phase round of the 2012 AFCON, after picking a 2-2 draw against Liberia. This time around he would want a better performance with the Eagles in Gabon, after qualifying to the finals of the 2010 AFCON in Angola and even came close to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. He hopes to succeed with the Eagles of Mali what he could not do with the Panthers. Forgetting the eliminatories and thinking about the continental title in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea would be the best gift he can offer Mali. We did the essential. When you see the disqualified teams, having qualified for the Nations Cup is a very good thing, he said. The former midfielder of the France team believes that he can manage Group D where Mali is paired alongside Ghana, Botswana and Guinea.
Cafonline.com: What
are your first impressions after the draws?
Adama Coulibaly: It
is a balanced group with a great team and nation like Ghana. There is also Guinea which eliminated Nigeria. Our group is one of the toughest.
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Key Players
Cheick Tidiane Diabat
(striker) Diabate started his career at the Salif Keita Centre before moving to Bordeaux in France. With his unrivalled heading and shots, he joined the different Malian teams from the Cadets during the final phase of the qualifiers. Prospective successor of the FC Seville striker, Frederic Oumar Kanoute, the former attacker of Salif Keita Centre (CSK), will fill a void in the Eagles. His 5 goals scored in six matches in the qualifiers puts him at another level. He will seek to feature among the highest scorers in the final tournament.
the Eaglets won bronze medal. At 32, he is already considered one of the best midfielders in La Liga and a model for Malian youth.
CAF: Do you have the means to attain your dreams? AC: I think our team is capable.
More to that, coupled with our team spirit, we can envisage the trophy. We will be playing in this tournament in a favourable condition, without under estimating our rivals.
CAF: Where will the preparation be focused? AC: That would depend on
the preparation of the coach. Regrouping should be done early.
CAF: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Malian team? AC: We have a united team
where everyone plays for the interest of the team. It is a young team with qualities and weaknesses.
CAF: Do you have an idea of the other groups? AC: On the whole, Group A
appears lovely, especially for a team like Senegal. After that there is equilibrium in Group B with Cote dIvoire and its rivals like Burkina Faso, Angola and Sudan. Group C is also balanced with Gabon, Morocco, Niger and Tunisia.
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Syli National
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CAF: The favorites should not also be undermined? MD: Mali is tough but it must be recalled that Guinea qualified in a group which had Nigeria. I hope that we will be top of our group. Ivory Coast is another favorite of the tournament. However we must not forget Senegal and Zambia. Senegal seems to be the favorite with the elimination of Cameroon, a power house in African football. Zambia also plays good football. We should not also undermine the host teams with their home advantage. The home crowd can always be an advantage to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, especially in difficult moments. Anything can happen in this competition. CAF: Any last words? MD: I would advise my players
Guinea will play in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and Botswana at the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January 2012 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Cherif Souleymanes country which qualified at the expense of Nigeria, participated in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 editions of the AFCON that took place in Tunisia, Egypt and Ghana respectively. In each of the editions, they ended at the quarterfinals. In this interview granted which was granted us last week, Michel Dussuyer, the French born coach of Guinea, speaks of his opponents, the chances of his team, and the possible favorites of the soccer jamboree. Read on!
Anyway, there is no weak group; all the groups are difficult. We will do our best to qualify for the quarterfinals. There is a favorite but the other three can battle for the second spot. Nonetheless, forecasts can be proven wrong.
CAF: What is your objective for the AFCON? MD: We eliminated Nigeria and qualified and we were the first in our group. It is a source of motivation for us to go far in this competition. My last AFCON with the Syli National was in 2004 in Tunisia. We only reached the quarter final, but my objective this time is to do better. CAF: Do you really think you can defeat favorites like Ghana and Mali to attain your objective? MD: One shouldnt play down Botswana, a team of young and upcoming players. The Syli National has potentials and so it should not be made light of. We have youngsters who will be participating in the competition for their first time.
CAF: Your team will be playing in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and Botswana. What is your appreciation of the group?
course a tough group, with Ghana, which had an excellent performance at the World Cup. Botswana was the first to qualify. We know the high level individual talents and potentials of Mali.
to remain focused and calm. They shouldnt believe that after the competition, most of the work has been done. On the contrary, we have to start the real work now. An AFCON is an important competition in the career of a player. Guinean sports officials have to make available the necessary means for the team to prepare well for the competition. I urge supporters to continue supporting the national team as the players constantly need this support to confront any opponent. Thus we need the support of all Guineans in this competition.
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Pascal Feindouno
CAF: None expected the Syli National to be paired against big names like Ghana and Mali. What do you say? Pascal Feindouno: It is a
difficult group as we are paired alongside Ghana and Mali, which are reputed teams, not forgetting Botswana. We lost against the Black Stars in 2008 CAN in Ghana. The memory of our defeat against Mali in 2004 in Tunisia is still alive. It was with the same Michel Dussuyer as coach. We must say one AFCON succeeds another but they are not alike. The proof is that many big football nations will watch the competition from their homes. It will not be easy but we will try to debunk forecasts.
that they should focus in the entire games and they should know that the AFCON is played in 5 or 6 matches or more. It requires a lot of concentration and seriousness. Sports officials have to motivate players to ensure a good preparation because we really need to be at full capacity. Supporters also have to know that in each match three results are expected, a win, a draw or a loss. Thus they need to continue supporting till the end. Good luck to all the qualified teams.
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Article 72
In case of equality of points between two or more teams, at the conclusion of the group matches, the ranking of the teams shall be established according to the following criteria: 72.1. Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams in question; 72.2. The best goal difference in the matches between the teams. (see article 31). 72.3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; 72.4. Goal difference in all group matches; 72.5. Greatest number of goals scored in all the group matches; 72.6. Fair Play points system taking into account the number of yellow and red cards; 72.7. Drawing of lots by CAF Organising Committee.
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i. Winner Group A/Second Group B ii. Winner Group B/Second Group A iii. Winner Group C/Second Group D iv. Winner Group D/Second Group C
73.2. The quarter final matches shall be played in accordance with the direct elimination system of the loser. An extra time of 2 x 15 minutes shall be eventually played in case of a draw after the regular time. If after extra time, the result is still not decisive, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark. 73.3. The winners of the quarter finals shall qualify for the semi-finals. They shall be played in the following order:
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P
6 6 6 6 Time
W
3 3 2 1 Team
D
1 1 2 2
L
2 2 2 3
GF
9 7 7 7
GA
6 7 5 12 Team
Mali
GD
3 0 2 -5
Pts
10 10 8 5
Results
1-0 1-1 2-1 0-0 4-2 1-0 1-0 2-1 3-0 3-0 2-2 2-1
Cape Verde Liberia Mali Zimbabwe Cape Verde Mali Liberia Zimbabwe Mali Zimbabwe Liberia Cape Verde
Zimbabwe Liberia Cape Verde Liberia Zimbabwe Cape Verde Mali Cape Verde Liberia Mali Zimbabwe
ROUP B Team
Guinea Nigeria Ethiopia Madagascar GROUP B Date 5/09/10 5/09/10 10/10/10 10/10/10 27/03/11 27/03/11 5/06/11 5/06/11 4/09/11 4/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
MP W
6 6 6 6 Time 4 3 2 0
D
2 2 1 1
L
0 1 3 5
GF
13 12 8 4
GA
5 5 13 14 Team
GD
8 7 -5 -10
Pts
14 11 7 1
Team
Nigeria Ethiopia Madagascar Guinea Nigeria Madagascar Ethiopia Guinea Madagascar Guinea Ethiopia Nigeria
Results
2-0 1-4 0-1 1-0 4-0 1-1 2-2 4-1 0-2 1-0 4-2 2-2
Madagascar Guinea Ethiopia Nigeria Ethiopia Guinea Nigeria Madagascar Nigeria Ethiopia Madagascar Guinea
GROUP C Team
Zambia Libya Mozambique Comoros GROUP C Date 5/09/10 5/09/10 10/10/10 9,/10/10 27/03/11 28/03/11 4/06/11 5/06/11 3/09/11 4/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
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MP W
6 6 6 6 4 3 2 0
D
1 3 1 1
L
1 0 3 5
GF
11 6 4 2
GA
2 1 6 14
GD
9 5 -2 -12
Pts
13 12 7 1
Time
Team
Mozambique Zambia Libya Comoros Mozambique Libya Zambia Comoros Libya Comoros Zambia Mozambique
Results
0-0 4-0 1-0 0-1 0-2 3-0 3-0 1-1 1-0 1-2 0-0 3-0
Team
Libya Comoros Zambia Mozambique Zambia Comoros Mozambique Libya Mozambique Zambia Libya Comoros
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GROUP D Team
Morocco Central Africa Algeria Tanzania GROUP D Date 3/09/10 4/09/10 9/10/10 10/10/10 27/03/11 26/03/11 4/06/11 5/06/11 3/09/11 4/09/11
GROUP F P
6 6 6 6
W
3 2 2 1
D
2 2 2 2
L
1 2 2 3
GF
8 5 5 6
GA
2 5 8 9
GD
6 0 -3 -3
Pts
11 8 8 5
Team
Burkina Faso Gambia Namibia Group F Date -
MP W
4 4 4 3 1 1
D
1 1 0
L GF
0 2 3 12 5 3
GA
3 6 11
GD
9 -1 -8
Pts10 4 3
Time
Team
Algeria Morocco Tanzania Central Africa Algeria Tanzania Morocco Central Africa Tanzania Central Africa Morocco Algeria
Results
1-1 0-0 0-1 2-0 1-0 2-1 4-0 2-1 1-1 0-0 3-1 2-0
Team
Tanzania Central Africa Morocco Algeria Morocco Central Africa Algeria Tanzania Algeria Morocco Tanzania Central Africa
Time Team
Results
3-1 3-1
Team
Burkina Faso Namibia Gambia Mauritania(withdrew) Gambia Namibia Mauritania(withdrew) Burkina Faso Mauritania(withdrew) Gambia Burkina Faso Namibia
3,4,5/09/10 4/09/10 9/10/10 8,9,10/10/10 25,26,27/03/11 26/03/11 - 4/06/11 3,4,5/09/11 3/09/11 8/10/11 7,8,9/10/11
Mauritania (withdrew) Gambia Burkina Faso Namibia Mauritania(withdrew) Burkina Faso Gambia Namibia Burkina Faso Namibia Gambia Mauritania(withdrew)
GROUP E Team
Senegal Cameroon RD Congo Mauritius GROUP E Date
5/09/10 4/09/10 9/10/10 9/10/10 27/03/11 26/03/11 5/06/11 4/06/11 3/09/11 3/09/11 9/10/11- 13h00 GMT 7/10/11
MP W
6 6 6 6 5 3 2 0
D
1 2 1 0
L GF
0 1 3 6 16 12 10 2
GA
2 5 11 22
GD
14 7 -1 -20
Pts
16 11 7 0
Time
Team
RD Congo Mauritius Senegal Cameroon RD Congo Senegal Mauritius Cameroon Senegal Cameroon Mauritius RD Congo
Results
2-4 1-3 7-0 1-1 3-0 1-0 1-2 0-0 2-0 5-0 0-2 2-3
Team
Senegal Cameroon Mauritius RD Congo Mauritius Cameroon RD Congo Senegal RD Congo Mauritius Senegal Cameroon
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GROUP G Team
Niger South Africa Sierra Leone Egypt GROUP G Date 4/09/10 5/09/10 10/10/10 10/10/10 26/03/11 27/03/11 5/06/11 3/06/11 4/09/11 4/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
Date
Time
Team
Cote dIvoire Benin Rwanda Burundi Cote dIvoire Rwanda Benin Burundi Rwanda Burundi Benin Cote dIvoire
Results
3-0 1-1 0-3 0-1 2-1 3-1 2-6 3-1 0-5 1-1 0-1 2-1
Team
Rwanda Burundi Benin Cote dIvoire Benin Burundi Cote dIvoire Rwanda Cote dIvoire Benin Rwanda Burundi
P
6 6 6 6
W
3 2 2 1
D
0 3 3 2
L
3 1 1 3
GF
6 4 5 5
GA
8 2 5 5
GD
2 2 0 0
Pts
9 9 9 5
Time
Team
South Africa Egypt Niger Sierra Leone South Africa Niger Egypt Sierra Leone Niger Sierra Leone Egypt South Africa
Results
2-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 1-0 3-1 0-0 1-0 2-1 2-1 3-0 0-0
Team
Niger Sierra Leone Egypt South Africa Egypt Sierra Leone South Africa Niger South Africa Egypt Niger Sierra Leone
4/09/10 5/09/10 9/10/10 8,9,10/10/10 27/03/11 26/03/11 5/06/11 5/06/11 3/09/11 4/09/11 9/10/11- 14h00 GMT 9/10/11- 14h00 GMT
GROUP I Team
Ghana Sudan Congo Swaziland GROUP I
MP W
6 6 6 6 5 4 2 0
1 1 0 0
0 1 4 6
L GF
13 8 5 2
GA
1 3 10 14
12 5 -5 -12
GD
16 13 6 0
Pts-
Date -
Time
Team
Sudan Swaziland Congo Ghana Sudan Congo Swaziland Ghana Congo Ghana Swaziland Sudan
Results
2-0 0-3 3-1 0-0 3-0 0-3 1-2 3-1 0-1 2-0 0-1 0-2
Team
Congo Ghana Swaziland Sudan Swaziland Ghana Sudan Congo Sudan Swaziland Congo Ghana
4/09/10 5/09/10 10/10/10 8,9,10/10/10 27/03/11 27/03/11 5/06/11 3/06/11 4/09/11 2,/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
GROUP H Team
Cote dIvoire Rwanda Burundi Benin
MP W
6 6 6 6 6 2 1 1
D
0 0 2 2
L GF
0 4 3 3 19 5 7 8
GA
4 15 9 11
GD
15 -10 -2 -3
Pts
18 6 5 5
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GROUP J Team
Angola Uganda Kenya Guinea Bissau GROUP J Date 4/09/10 4/09/10 9/10/10 9/10/10 26/03/11 26/03/11 4/06/11 3,4,5/06/11 3/09/11 4/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
P
6 6 6 6
W
4 3 2 1
D
0 2 2 0
L
2 1 2 5
GF
7 6 4 2
GA
5 2 4 8
GD
2 4 0 -6
Pts
12 11 8 3
Time
Team
Guinea Bissau Uganda Kenya Angola Guinea Bissau Kenya Uganda Angola Kenya Angola Uganda Guinea Bissau
Results
1-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 2-1 2-0 1-0 2-1 2-0 0-0 0-2
Team
Kenya Angola Uganda Guinea Bissau Uganda Angola Guinea Bissau Kenya Guinea Bissau Uganda Kenya Angola
GROUP K Team
Botswana Tunisia Malawi Togo Chad GROUP K Date
01/07/10 01/07/10 09/07/10 09/07/10 11/08/10 11/08/10 4/09/10 4/09/10 9/10/10 10/10/10 17/11/10 17/11/10 26/03/11 27/03/11 5/06/11 5/06/11 3/09/11 4/09/11 8/10/11 8/10/11
MP W
8 8 8 8 8 5 4 2 1 0
D
2 2 6 3 3
L GF
1 2 4 5 7 14 6 7
GA
3 6 8 10 20
GD
4 8 5 -4 -13
Pts
17 14 12 6 3
0 13
Time
Team
Chad Tunisie Togo Botswana Chad Malawi Tunisia Botswana Malawi Togo Togo Bostwana Malawi Chad Tunisie Botswana Malawi Togo Chad Tunisie
Results
2-2 0-1 1-1 1-0 1-3 1-1 2-2 2-1 6-2 1-2 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 5-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 2-2 2-0
Team
Togo Botswana Malawi Chad Tunisia Botswana Malawi Togo Chad Tunisia Chad Tunisia Togo Botswana Chad Malawi Tunisie Botswana Malawi Togo
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At the tourney held in Sudan last February, the Menas performed creditably and advanced to the last eight alongside South Africa from a group which included Ghana and Zimbabwe. Under the technical guidance of indigene Harouna Doula, the Nigeriens won the hearts of the local fans with their steady rise. However, their journey was soon to end after a gallant display against hosts Sudan at the quarter final stage at the Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman where they lost out on penalties. Captain Idrissa Laouali, striker Mohammed Abdoulaye, now with T.P. Mazembe and Jimmy Bulus, also with NA Hussein Dey (Morocco) were amongst the star performers of the team.
CAFoot Magazine
Interview
Cafoot: Botswana has been named
National team of the Year by CAF. What does that mean to you?
with the honour. Certainly, all the people home are happy with the award and are celebrating. It is a welcome development and it will spur us on to greater heights.
CAF: What has been the secret behind DF: The main secret has been the real
sense of commitment and the burning desire to do well in the team. The players, coach and Botswana Football Association (BFA) worked hard to reach where we are now. We were fully prepared for each match. Reaching this far was achieved over a long period of time and we are reaping the benefits of the structures put in place. Our domestic league is showing a great level of improvement.
CAF: What exactly are the structures that you put in place? DF: It started over 20-years ago (around
1990) with the appointment of Ben Kwofie from Ghana as Technical Director of the BFA. He was the one who set up the structures for development of the game in the areas of training, refereeing, and administration amongst others. The structures have produced a lot of coaches to even the school level. It has equipped our coaches with the requisite knowledge and qualities that has reflected in the level of players coming out. Coaches and Technical Directors that came after Kwofie carried on with his structures. He left a legacy and the people of Botswana are proud him.
David Fani: If we maintain the form from the qualifying rounds coupled with good preparation, we will have a chance of going far at the tournament. Being our first time at the tournament, we have no specific target. Our overall
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Interview
objective is to do well. It is a learning process and we have a lot to learn from other teams as well in terms of experience. Also, we want to go as far as possible and make a statement that we are ready for the big stage of African football.
players. Do you think that your players will be disadvantaged considering the fact that most teams have foreign-based players?
players play together regularly. The level of our local league is also rising. We also have a few players in South Africa and they also bring on board their experience to bear on the team because of the professional nature of the Premier Soccer League. It is a very big advantage for us.
major tournament depends on the outcome of the opening match. We are bracing up for the challenge. We are ready for the opening match. Each country is aiming to do well in their opening matches and we are no exception.
CAF: Which teams do you consider as favourites to win the ultimate? DF: My favourites are Ghana and Cote
dIvoire. They have a strong team and I tip them to win the title.
The performance of every team at a major tournament depends on the outcome of the opening match
.
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v v
Sierra Leone Win 3/ 4 Cameroon Guinea Bissau Malawi Tchad RD Congo Win 1/ 2 Mozambique Tanzania
Swaziland Seychelles
v v
Preliminary round 1:
Date 1: First leg match on January 06-08, 2012 Date 2: Second leg match on January 20-22, 2012
Preliminary Round 2
Ethiopia Benin Rwanda Nigeria Congo Uganda Burundi Zimbabwe Gambia Algeria Kenya Togo v v v v v v v v v v v v Benin Ethiopia Nigeria Rwanda Uganda Congo Zimbabwe Burundi Algeria Gambia Togo Kenya
Central African Republic v Egypt Egypt v Central African Republic Madagascar Cape Verde Liberia Namibia v v v v Cape Verde Madagascar Namibia Liberia
Preliminary round 2: Date 3: February 29, 2012 Date 4: June 15-17, 2012 3 Final preliminary round above 14 qualified joins the 16 qualified for CAN2012 to play home and away at agreed dates of September and October 2012
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Venue
Sao Tome Djibouti Mitsamiouli Asmara Lobamba Malabo NDjamena Bissau Roche Caiman Maseru Djibouti Bujumbura Kigali Pointe Noire Kinshasa Lome Antananarivo Dar Es Salaam Nairobi Maputo Windhoek Addis Ababa
Sao Tome e Principe Djibouti Comoros Eritrea Swaziland Equatorial Guinea Chad Guinea-Bissau Seychelles Lesotho Somalia Burundi Rwanda Congo Congo DR Togo Madagascar Tanzania Kenya Mozambique Namibia Ethiopia
Matches
0:5 (0:3) 0:4 (0:1) 0:1 (0:0) 1:1 (1:0) 1:3 (0:2) 2:0 (1:0) 1:2 (1:1) 1:1 (1:1) 0:3 (0:1) 1:0 (0:0) 0:0 2:1 (1:1) 3:1 (1:0) 1:1 (0:0) 5:1 (1:0) 1:0 (1:0) 2:1 (0:1) 0:1 (0:0) 4:0 (3:0) 4:1 (2:0) 4:0 (2:0) 5:0 (1:0) Congo Namibia Mozambique Rwanda Congo DR Madagascar Tanzania Togo Kenya Burundi Ethiopia Lesotho Eritrea Sao Tome e Principe Swaziland Guinea-Bissau Equatorial Guinea Chad Seychelles Comoros Djibouti Somalia
GROUP F
Namibia Kenya Malawi Nigeria
Third round (Oct 11-15, Nov 15-19 2013) A draw will split 10 group winners into five two-leg ties and aggregate winners qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil
GROUP B
Equatorial Guinea Sierra Leone Cape Verde Tunisia
GROUP G
Mozambique Zimbabwe Guinea Egypt
GROUP C
Tanzania Gambia Morocco Cote dIvoire
GROUP H
Rwanda Benin Mali Algeria
GROUP D
Lesotho Sudan Zambia Ghana
GROUP I
DR Congo Togo Libya Cameroon
GROUP E
Congo Niger Gabon Burkina Faso
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GROUP J
Liberia Angola Uganda Senegal
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Match
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v AS Chlef (Algeria) ASFA Atletico Olympique ASV Club Astres Douala 9me Arrondissement Zamalek Young Africans Africa Sport Missile Horoya Ports Authority JSM Bejaia Foullah FC Diables Noirs AF Amadou Diallo APR FC Tusker Ethiopian Coffee Mitsamiouli Tonnerre AS Garde Nationale Recreativo de Libolo Orlando Pirates LCS URA Muulmano Maputo Mafunzo US Ouakam Brikama Dolphin Sony de Ela Nguema Chelsea LISCR Platiniums Green Mamba Power Dynamos Japan Actaul
N.B.: The club mentioned first, plays at home Bye: Coton Sport (Cameroon), El Ahly (Egypt), Djoliba (Mali), Stade Malien (Mali), MAS (Morocco), Raja (Morocco), Sunshine Stars (Nigeria), TP Mazembe (RD Congo), El Hilal (Sudan), El Merrikh (Sudan), ESS (Tunisia), EST (Tunisia), Dynamos (Zimbabwe) Dates:1st leg : 17, 18,19 February 2012 2nd leg: 02, 03, 04 March 2012
Match
Dragons (Benin) EFO (Burkina Faso) Nania FC (Ghana) FC Squence (Guinea) US Douala (Cameroon) Kallon FC (Sierra Leone) Black Leopards (South Africa) Motor Action (Zimbabwe) Red Arrows FC (Zambia) Royal Leopards (Swaziland) Mangasport (Gabon) St George (Ethiopia) Kiyovu (Rwanda) Simba (Tanzania) Ferroviario de Maputo (Mozambique) Gor Mahia (Kenya) Sewe Sports (Cte dIvoire) US Haut Nkam (Cameroon) AC Leopards (Congo) AS Tempte Mocaf (Central Africa) Lydia LB Acadmic (Burundi) Atletico Semu (Eq. Guinea) Renaissance (Chad) Sahel SC (Niger) Mansaba (Guinea Bissau) Invincible Eleven (Liberia) Gamtel (Gambia) Casamance (Senegal) Gunners (Botswana) TANA (Madagascar) Jamhuri (Zanzibar) Hwange (Zimbabwe) v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v EFO Dragons Squence Nania Kallon US Douala Motor Action Black Leopards Royal Leopards Red Arrows St. George Mangasport Simba Kiyovu Gor Mahia Ferroviario Maputo US Haut Nkam Sewe Sport AS Tempete Mocaf AC Leopards Semu Lydia Academic Sahel Renaissance Invincible 11 Mansaba Casamance Gamtel TANA Gunners Hwange Jamhuri
N.B.: The club mentioned first, plays at home Bye: ES Setif (Algeria), Interclube (Angola), Asec Mimosas (Cte dIvoire), Enppi (Egypt), AS Real Bamako (Mali), CO de Bamako (Mali), CO Mekns (Morocco), WAC (Morocco), Warri Wolves (Nigeria), Heartland (Nigeria), St. Eloi Lupopo (RD Congo), Us Tshinkunku (RD Congo), El Amal Otbara (Sudan), Al Ahly Shandy (Sudan), CSS (Tunisia), CA (Tunisia) Dates:1st leg: 17, 18, 19 February 2012 2nd leg: 02, 03, 04 March 2012
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he triumph of Tunisia In a brilliant way, the second edition of African Nations Championship met the challenge of those who had the audacity to increase from eight to sixteen the number of countries at the final phase of the competition. However, all was not easy. Sudan had not hosted an event of this magnitude since 1970 and many doubted its ability to do so. Others argued that the level of national competitions did not permit the gathering of many teams and that the competition would be inconsistent and the winner would not emerge big. They were wrong; each participating country proved that till the evening of the final whistle. In two editions, CHAN has become a real competition pulling a growing crowd. If DR Congo, whose team was largely made up of players from TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi, was unable to repeat its success of 2009 in Cote dIvoire , Tunisia, its successor, which was not among the favorite from the start, recorded an indisputable triumph. Tunisia was the best and most complete team of the tournament. In fact, it was not very surprising; considering the strength of its clubs in the last twenty years, regularly featuring among the elite teams of the continent. Some of its players were either already regulars of the national team or have earned their place. And its coach, Sami Trabelsi, was recently appointed to head the Carthage Eagles. Angola that lost in the final of the CHAN had
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Group A (Khartoum)
Sudan Algeria Algeria Sudan Sudan Gabon -
Pts 7 5 4 0
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Quarter Final
Sudan Algeria Angola Tunisia
Semi-Finals
Sudan Tunisia
Group C (Omdurman)
Cameroon Cote dIvoire Cameroon DR Congo Cameroon DR Congo Cameroon DR Congo Cote dIvoire Mali -
Angola Algeria
Classification Match
Sudan -
Algeria
1-0
Final
Tunisia Pts 9 4 3 1
Angola
3-0
4 -2
Group D (Port-Sudan)
Senegal Angola Tunisia Senegal Tunisia Angola Rwanda Tunisia Rwanda Angola Senegal Rwanda
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Tunisia
Sudan
Ghana
Mali
Algeria
Zimbabwe
Uganda
DR Congo
Cote dIvoire
Niger
Cameroon
Senegal
Gabon
Angola
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he reward of host countries is always seen in big tournaments. The preparation, the commitment and the public are three ingredients. This was confirmed in Rwanda where the young Amavubis were only inches from claiming the crown. The first final ever played by a Rwandan team in all continental competitions met popular expectations except for those who thought the local side deserved to win. Their hearts were broken by Aziz Kabore, who scored the lone goal that gave Burkina Faso victory. Rwandas coach, Richard Tardy gives reasons for the defeat: There are two reasons: one, we were tired; the second is that we had played our final before descending to the pitch. There was enormous pressure and my players lacked the necessary concentration to reproduce the quality of game it had produced in previous encounters. Meanwhile, Tardy was not unfortunate; he was disappointed: The disappointment of the team and the public is justified, but getting to the podium for the first time is an enormous achievement for the players. Rwanda has today committed its future in superior competitions. The defending champion, The Gambia ended at the first round having been eliminated by Congo and Cote dIvoire . Ghana and Nigeria were absent in the competition having been eliminated in the eliminatory phase. This is proof that the big teams on the continent have had their strength in youth competitions. This has been understood by Nigeria and Ghana which together have five cadets World Cup trophies.
Pts
J G
dif
6 6 3 3
3 3 3 3
2 2 1 1
0 0 0 0
1 7 1 3 2 4 2 2
3 2 5 6
+4 +1 -1 -4
Group B
Congo Cote dIvoire Congo The Gambia Cote dIvoire Congo
7 7 3 0
3 2 1 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 0 0
0 0 2 3
8 7 2 2
4 3 7 5
+4 +4 -5 -3
Results
Group A
Rwanda Egypt Burkina Faso Rwanda Rwanda Burkina Faso
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Semi-Finals
Burkina Faso Rwanda Burkina Faso Senegal Senegal Egypt Senegal Egypt 2-1 2-1 3-2 1-0 0-1 4-0 - Congo - Cote dIvoire 1-1 (4-2p) 1-0
Classification Match
Congo - Cote dIvoire 2-1
Final
Rwanda - Burkina Faso 1-2
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Egypt
Cote dIvoire
Senegal
Burkina Faso
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Orange Africa Youth U-20 African Championships Nigeria Emerges Victor for the 6th Time
Initailly, The Orange Africa Youth U20 Championship was expected to take place in Libya. However, it was held in the Rainbow nation, South Africa. The draws provided a tough group that involved Ghana, the outgoing champions, Nigeria, and Cameroun. Surprisingly, these nations were the losing finalists during the competition which was hosted by Rwanda and Gambia respectively. The first round saw some mouth watering clashes with Nigeria defeating Ghana and drawing with Gambia and Cameroon. The Cameroonian side beat Nigeria in their group game of the competition only to meet them again in the finals. And just like in 2009, Cameroon had to settle for second place as Nigeria overcame them in the finals. The competition produced good results and the organisation and level of play said to be very high. That was confimed some weeks later during the Word Junior Championships.
South Africa Mali South Africa Mali Team P Mali 3 Egypt 3 South Africa 3 Lesotho 3
W 2 2 1 0
Group B
Nigeria Cameroon Cameroon Gambia Cameroon Nigeria Team Cameroon Nigeria Ghana Gambie Ghana 2-1 Gambia 1-0 Nigeria 1-0 Ghana 1-1 Ghana 1-1 Gambia 2-0 P W D L GF GA 3 2 1 0 3 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 3 0 1 1 3 4 3 0 1 2 1 4 -
GD 2 2 -1 -3
Pts 7 6 2 1
Semi-Finals
Cameroon Nigeria - Egypt - Mali 0-0 (4-2p) 2-0
Classification Match
Egypt - Mali 1-0
Results
Group A
South Africa Egypt
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Finals
Nigeria - Mali - Lesotho 2-4 2-0
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- Cameroon 3-2
Nigeria
Lesotho
South Africa
The Gambia
Cameroon
Ghana
Mali
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They have won 37 of 53 titles since 1991. And they do not seem to stop on the way.
1/16th Round
Al Ittihad (Lby) US Bitam (Gab) Dynamos (Zim) El Merreikh (Sou) Diaraf (Sen) Esprance (Tun) Motor Action (Zim) Stade Malien (Mli) Club Africain (Tun) El Hilal (Sud) TP Mazembe (DRC) Wydad Casablanca (Mor) Entente Stif (Alg) Vita Club (DRC) Al Ahly (Egy) Zesco Utd (Zam) -
JC Abidjan Enyimba Mouloudia Alger InterClube Djoliba ASPAC ASEC Raja Zamalek Recreatico Caala Simba Kano Pillars ASFA Yennenga Cotonsport SuperSport Young Buffaloes
(Civ) (Nga) (Alg) (Ang) (Mli) (Ben) (Civ) (Mor) (Egy) (Ang) (Tan) (Nga) (Bfa) (Cmr) (Afs) (Swz)
Ff JCAT 0-0 1-2 4-1 0-3 2-0 0-2 (2-3p) 3-0 1-1 5-0 0-2 0-0 (2-4p) 2-1 0-1 4-2 1-2 3-0 1-1 3-1 3-2 2-0 0-0 2-0 4-3 0-1 0-1 2-0 0-1 5-0 2-0
1/8th Round
Enyimba (Nga) - Ittihad InterClube (Ang) - Mouloudia Alger Esperance (Tun) - Diaraf Raja Casablanca (Mar) - ASEC Mimosas El Hilal (Sud) - Club Africain Wydad Casablanca (Mor) - TP Mazembe Cotonsport (Cmr) - Entente Stif Zesco United (Zam) - Al Ahly
1-0 (one Leg) 1-1 2-3 5-0 1-0 1-1 (5-4p) 1-0 1-1* 1-0 0-2 4-1 0-2 0-0 0-1
* Match stopped at the 83rd minute after Tunisian supporters invaded pitch CAFoot Magazine
Group B
Al Ahly MC Alger Esperance Wydad Al Ahly Wydad MC Alger Esperance Wydad Esperance MC Alger Al Ahly Pts
Group A
Enyimba Raja El Hilal Coton Sport Enyimba El Hilal Raja Coton Sport El Hilal Coton Sport Raja Enyimba El Hilal Coton Sport Raja Enyimba Raja Coton Sport Enyimba El Hilal Enyimba Raja El Hilal Coton Sport 2-2 0-0 1-0 2-3 2-0 2-1 0-0 2-0 1-2 2-1 0-0 2-0
WAC Esperance Al Ahly MC Alger MC Alger Esperance Al Ahly Wydad Al Ahly MC Alger Wydad Esperance
P W D L
3-3 1-1 1-0 4-0 2-0 2-2 0-0 0-0 1-1 4-0 3-1 1-1
p c dif
Pts
dif
10 7 7 5
6 6 6 6
2 1 1 1
4 4 4 2
0 1 1 3
9 11 7 4
4 9 6 12
+5 +2 +1 -8
14 8 7 3
6 6 6 6
4 2 2 0
2 0 11 2 2 6 1 3 7 3 3 1
5 7 8 5
+6 -1 -1 -4
Semi-Finals
El Hilal Wydad Esperance Enyimba 0-1 0-2 1-0 0-0
Final
Wydad (Morocco) -
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CAF Interclubs Competitions 2011 Orange CAF Confederation Cup 2011 Preliminary Round
- AS Real (Mli) - Inter Stars (Bdi) - Etincelles (Rwa) - Ports Authority (Sle) - Al-Nasr (Lby) - Sahel (Nig) - MAS (Mor) - AshantiGold (Gha) - Sony Ela Nguema (Geq) - Sofapaka (Ken) - Nchanga Rangers (Zam) - Maxaquene (Moz) - Bidvest Wits (SA) - Difaa al-Jadida (Mar) - USFA (Bur) - Africa Sports (Civ) - Tiko Utd (Cmr) - DC Motema Pembe (DRC) Mbabane Highlanders (Swz) - Victors (Ug) Young Africans (Tan) - Dedebit (Eth) Tevragh Zeina (Mtn) Missile Forces (Gab) Leopards Dolisie (Cgo) Toure Kounda Mbour Sen) CA Batna (Alg) Dynamic (Tog) USS Krake (Ben) Sewe San Pedro (Civ) Foullah Edifice (Cha) AS Aviacao (Ang) Highlanders (Zim) Adema (Mad) St Marienne (Ru) CS Keita (Mli) Fovu Baham (Cmr) FC Squence (Gui) DFC Arrondissement (CAR) KMKM (Zan) 0-0 1-0 4-0 0-1 1-1 2-0 2-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 (5-6p) 0-0 0-0 (2-4p) 1-1 1-4 0-1 0-1 2-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 (4-5p) 1-1 *Highlanders 0-0 1-1 1-0 0-4 2-2 1-1 2-1 1-3 0-1 1-1 0-0 1-3 0-4 0-2 1-1 1-1 (1-4p) 4-4 0-2
JS Kabylie El Nil Primeiro Agosto FUS Rabat Al Khartoum MAS Fs Etoile Sahel Kaduna Utd Ismaly St Eloi Lupopo Bidvest Wits Olympique Bja Africa Sports Sunshine Stars Victors Haras el Hodoud
1/16th Round
(Alg) (Sud) (Ang) (Mar) (Sud) (Mar) (Tun) (Ngr) (Egy) (DRC) (SA) (Tun) (Civ) (Ngr) (Ug) (Egy)
- Tevragh Zeina (Mtn) - Missile Forces (Gab) - Lopards Dolisie (Cgo) - Tour Kunda (Sen) - Al Nasr (Lby) - Sahel (Nig) - AshantiGold (Gha) - Foullah Edifice (Cha) - Sofapaka (Ken) - Nchanga Rangers (Zam) - Adema (Mad) - Difaa El Jadida (Mar) - USFA (Bfa) - Tiko United (Cam) - DC Motema Pemb (DRC) - Dedebit (Eth)
1-0 2-1 1-1 1-2 2-0 0-1 2-0 1-2 *Al Nasr 0-0 2-1 3-0 1-2 2-0 0-1 2-0 0-4 1-0 2-0 1-1 0-2 2-0 0-3 *Africa Sports 2-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 4-0 1-1
1/8th Round
Missile Forces FUS Rabat MAS Fs Kaduna Utd St Eloi Lupopo Difaa El Jadida Sunshine Stars Haras El Hodoud
JS Kabylie (Alg) Primeiro Agosto (Ang) El Khartoum (Sud) Etoile Sahel (Tun ) Sofapaka (Ken) Adema (Mad) USFA (Bfa) DC Motema Pembe (DRC)
3-0 0-3 (0-3p) 1-1 0-1 5-1 0-2 * Etoile Sahel 2-1 0-1 3-0 0-1 2-0 0-1 2-1 1-2
(Zam) - MAS Fs (Mar) (Tan) - DC Motema Pembe (DRC) (Civ) - Primeiro Agosto (Ang) (Ang) - Difa al-Jadida (Mar)
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P 6 6 6 6
Group B
MAS Fs Sunshine Stars JS Kabylie DC Motema Pembe MAS Fs JS Kabylie Sunshine Stars DC Motema Pembe JS Kabylie DC Motema Pembe Sunshine Stars MAS Fs Moghreb Fs Sunshine Stars DC Motema Pembe JS Kabylie Pts 14 11 8 0 P 6 6 6 6 JS Kabylie DC Motema Pembe Sunshine Stars MAS Fs Sunshine Stars DC Motema Pembe MAS Fs JS Kabylie MAS Fs Sunshine Stars JS Kabylie DC Motema Pembe W 4 3 2 0 D 2 2 2 0 L 0 1 1 6 p 8 6 5 1 c 2 3 6 9 1-0 2-0 1-2 1-1 1-0 0-2 1-1 2-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 3-0 dif +6 +3 -1 -8
Semi-finals
Sunshine Stars Interclube Club Africain Moghreb Fs 0-1 0-0 2-1 0-1
Final
Club Africain Moghreb Fs -1-0 0-1 (5-6p)
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Orange CAF Super Cup 2011 Kidiaba powers Mazembe to retain title
Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the winners of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup battled for the giant trophy. offensive whilst FUS Rabat deployed a seemingly defensive approach in a move to crack down the Mazembe forwards. The second half was no different as attempts by both teams to break the deadlock yielded no positive returns despite having equal share of possession. It was the sixth time the annual competition was to be decided by means of penalties after 1993, 1997, 1998, 2007 and 2007. The game moved to penalties and with no one emerging after regular kicks, Kidiaba saved the ultimate kick of the Moroccans before displacing his opposite number as Mazembe cruised to 9-8 victory. CAF President Hayatou presented the trophy to Mazembe captain, Kazembe Mihayo amidst chants from the rest of his colleagues and the teaming crowd.
Goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba was the hero for TP Mazembe as they beat FUS Rabat of Morocco 9-8 on penalties on Saturday (January 29) in Lubumbashi to retain the Orange CAF Super Cup. The closely contested encounter ended fruitless during normal time but the Mazembe goalie was the architect of his sides victory during the marathon penalty shoot-out. He saved the ultimate kick of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup holders and converting the decisive kick. The 34-year old goalie, famed for his funky hair style and elaborate celebration ensured Les Corbeaux a place in the history book as they joined Nigerias Enyimba (2004, 2006) and Al-Ahly of Egypt (2006, 2007) to lift the title in succession. The encounter which also heralds the new season as far as the continental club championship is concerned was watched by the top brass of the continents soccer controlling body,
The first half saw few chances with Mazembes Bedi Mbenzas miss on 24 minutes which served the brightest moment. Mazembe were mostly on the
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Most predictions were that Gabons U-23 squad would not cross the first round of the competition; interestingly, they beat Morocco 2-1 to emerge champion. This is the Panthers first ever continental trophy.it is worth noting that the Gabonese was the first to concede a goal at the 20th minute of the final through a combination between Adnane Thigadouini and Youness Mokhtar. The Gabonese equalized 10 minutes later through Landry Obiang Obiang following a superb pass from Allen Nono. Just before the break, Nonos header following a cross from Alexander Ndoumbou beat Moroccan keeper Yassine El Kharroubi for the second goal. The score line remained unchanged while both sides ended with 10 men after two expulsions. Gabon started on a poor note losing 0-1 against Egypt and then recorded a draw against South Africa. The team went on to beat Cote dIvoire by 3-1, Senegal 1-0 and the Moroccans by 2-1. They ended with the best attack with 7 goals in
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Group A
Morocco Algeria Morocco Senegal Nigeria Morocco Senegal Morocco Nigeria Algeria Pts
6 6 3 3
3 3 3 3
2 2 1 1
0 0 0 0
1 1 2 2
3 2 5 2
2 1 4 5
+1 +1 +1 -3
Group B
Egypt South Africa South Africa Cote dIvoire Egypte Gabon Egypt Gabon Cote dIvoire -1 South Africa
Pts
6 4 2
3 3 4 3
2 1 3 0
0 1 1 2
1 1 1 1
4 4 1 2
2 3 4
+2 +1 3 4 -2
Semi-finals
Gabon Morocco - Senegal - Egypt 1-0 (ap.prol) 3-2
Classification match
Egypt Morocco
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- Senegal Gabon
2-0 1-2
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hanas men team won its first trophy in the history of the competition by beating South Africa in the final. On its part, Cameroon which won the three previous editions was defeated in the semi-final by Ghana. They however took revenge in the female category by beating their Ghanaian counterpart and lifting the trophy in the final. At the semi-final, the Indomitable Lionesses stopped the Super Falcons of Nigeria, who won the first two editions but could not defend their trophy in the group stage as they stumbled against the Ghanaian side.
Mens Tournament
Group A
Mozambique South Africa Mozambique Pts South Africa 6 Ghana 3 Mozambique 0 P
2 2 2
2 1 0
0 0 0
0 1 2
4 4 4
1 4 7
+3 0 -3
Group B
Cameroon Senegal Cameroon Cameroon Senegal Uganda
Pts
4 3 1
2 2 2
1 1 0
1 0 1
0 1 1 2 1 1
0 2 2
+1 0 -1
Semi-Finals
South Africa Ghana Senegal Cameroon 0-0 (6-5p) 1-0
Classification match
Cameroon Senegal 1-1 (5-4p)
Final
Ghana - South Africa 1-1 (4-2p)
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Female Tournament
Group A
Mozambique Cameroon Mozambique Pts Cameroon 6 Algeria 3 Mozambique 0 Cameroon Algeria Algeria
P W D L
2 2 2
2 1 0
0 0 0
0 1 2
4 0 7 4 1 8
+4 +3 -7
Group B
South Africa Ghana Ghana South Africa South Africa Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Tanzania Zimbabwe Tanzania Ghana Tanzania
P W D L
3 3 3 3
2 1 0 0
1 2 2 1
0 0 1 2
6 7 5 4
4 5 6 7
+2 +2 -1 -3
Semi-finals
Cameroon Ghana South Africa Algeria 2-0 3-0
Classification
Algeria South Africa 3-0
Final
Cameroon
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Ghana
1-0
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ondon 2012 Olympic Games: Womens Qualifiers The qualifiers witnessed the elimination of Nigeria, which represented the African continent in three previous editions of the competition (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008). The team lost in the last round in penalties against Cameroon. After beating Ethiopia, South Africa will accompany Cameroon to London where, for the first time, Africa will present two teams.
Third Round
South Africa Nigeria - Ethiopia - Cameroon 3-0 1-1 2-1 1-2 (3-4p)
Equatorial Guinea was disqualified for having used an unqualified player at the World Cup in July 2011.
First Round
DR Congo Morocco Zambia Cameroon Angola Guinea Nigeria Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia 0-0 0-3 Tunisia 0-3 1-0 South Africa 1-2 0-1 Mali 5-0 1-0 Namibia 2-2 0-0 Ghana 0-2 1-5 Congo Congo withdrew Gabon Gabon withdrew
Second Round
Cameroon Nigeria South Africa Ethiopia Equatorial Guinea Namibia Tunisia Ghana 0-0 7-0 1-0 1-0 0-2 2-0 0-1(6-5p) 1-2
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Beach Soccer
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xpectations of the level of African representation at the Cadet World Cup in Mexico were with some apprehension due to the absence of Nigeria and Ghana, five times champions of the competition. It was clear early in 2011 that Nigeria and Ghana will not have successors. Burkina Faso and Rwanda were eliminated in the first round. Congo and Ivory Coast did not go beyond the eighth final. The Souleymane Coulibaly phenomenon of the Ivorian striker who scored nine goals in four matches was not repeated. This remains a unique feat in the annals of the competition, even though the Frenchman, Sinama Pongolle also scored nine goals in 2001. He had however scored the nine goals in six matches. The U-17 World Cup would always be remembered as that of Coulibaly who is already being compared to Didier Drogba. He is being hunted by big clubs who hope to hire his services, including Real Madrid. But that is not the subject of the report of Africa at the World Cup in Mexico.
Coast, with Coulibaly scoring nine. Congo scored the two others. The African defence conceded 24 goals: 9 conceded by Ivory Coast, 6 by Burkina Faso, 5 by Congo, and 3 by Rwanda.
Encouraging Showing
It would be too harsh to judge Africas participation at a tournament of such a magnitude by scores alone. Ivory Coast proved that they will be able to get to a high level in a few years, especially in World Cup 2018. There is assurance that Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Toure would have successors. Congo, which was in a difficult group, conceded a defeat against Mexico and another against Uruguay. Rwanda also defended well even though they fell against England and Uruguay. The big disappointment was Burkina Faso, the only team with a title as African champions to have conceded three defeats.
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Disappointing Results
Africas participation at the competition can be summed up thus: 14 matches played in Kigali by Burkina Faso, the champion, Rwanda, the first runner up, with Congo and Ivory Coast placing third and fourth respectively in this CAN that acted as qualification for the World Cup.
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Alain Gouamene, the Ivorian coach summed up the general feeling in these words: Its unfortunate that so many African teams were eliminated prematurely in the competition. I am happy with the performance of my players in this World Cup in spite of the defeat. I think my team has great prospects and could achieve much in future. His Congolese counterpart, Eddie Hudansky said something similar: We have shown that we are capable of playing good football. We have learnt much in this competition from the tactical aspect and we will take these entire lessons home in order to improve in future. Coach of Amavubi cadets, Richard Tardy, on his part said: Many players of my team will join the U-20 selection. I hope that they will eventually join the national team. We have learnt much in our sojourn in Mexico and we certainly dont have to be disappointed with our performance. The only note of disappointment came from the Burkina Faso assistant coach, Serafin Dargany: We didnt expect to leave Mexico without recording a point or a goal. We came here with the ambition
Results
GROUP A Congo Mexico Congo Holland Congo North Korea 1-0 2-1 1-1
of qualifying for the eighth final. However, from the first match we discovered that we were lacking something in order to meet the standard of the competition. Even before our departure, we had lost two important players. The first 45 minutes of our last game against Equador remains our best performance in this competition. We now have to learn our lessons from our errors and work harder. Having won its first world crown from the inception of the U-17 tournament, the African continent participates every two years with the hope that one of its representatives will win the trophy. Thus, it is considered a failure when it comes back empty handed from each competition. In football, there is the result and the performance. If the result in Mexico was short of expectations, the performances of African teams were encouraging against big football nations. We can say that the future is not bleak. Some of those who took part in the Mexico jamboree will in a few years be stars in upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and may be in future World Cups.
GROUP E Panama Germany Equador Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 1-0 3-0 2-0
Congo 2nd behind Mexico GROUP C England Uruguay Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda Canada 2-0 1-0 1-1
Burkina Faso occupies last spot GROUP F Australia Ivory Coast Denmark Brazil 2-1 4-2 3-3 Ivory Coast Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast 2nd behind Brazil EIGHTH FINAL Uruguay France Congo Ivory Coast 2-1 3-2 CAFoot Magazine
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eeing one of the countries that played great football and scored many goals during the group stage of the competition eliminated at the quarter finals was a great diappointment. When Nigerian players were leaving the Pascual Guerrero stadium on Sunday, August 13, one and a half hours after the blast of the final whistle, an enormous sense of frustration could be read on their faces. The Nigerian delegation that remained silent and flagged, left the stadium to the applause of thousands of spectators and Columbian football fans. They were a side that had played spectacular football and produced great goals during the competition. This support from the Columbian fans showed that we had left a positive impression said Edafe Egbedi one of the few who spoke to FIFA.commentators after their exit. We played like a team throughout the competition and we tried to impress. We are happy with the support we have received. This made us feel at home. It is certain that the fans wanted to see us win. he added, corroborating the words of coach John Obuh. Putting disappointment aside, the sentiments of the 1m 66 player and his team mates could be justified. During the entire competition Nigeria did impress everyone with their technique, vivacity and rapidity by recording four straight victories at the Junior World Cup. The Flying Eagles had embarked on a series of victories by overcoming Croatia and Guatemala thanks to Ahmed Musa, Olarenwaju Kayode and Egbedi. Nigeria scored 15 goals during the Columbia expedition.
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It is a game that we could have won. Unfortunately it was not our day. We really did not put pressure on the French like we did during the previous games. We left them too much space to manipulate. That is why we are sad. But that is football, Egbedi continued. We have proven that with hard work we can go far. We aimed for the title. That said, the competition in its entirety was a good lesson for us. We shall be better prepared during the next World Championships. The regrets and deception of Nigeria was added to that of Cameroon and Egypt whose title hopes ended in the eighth finals. Cameroon was eliminated by Mexico during post match penalties whilst Argentina stood in the way of Nigeria.
Three out of the four representatives from Africa making it to the 8 finals has been the most important result obtained by the continent during the final phase of the Under 20 World Cup against difficult opposition as Brasil, France, Portugal and Mexico who ended as the top four sides of the competition. The performance highlighted the improved performance of Africas youth on the world stage. Unfortunately, they were unable to win the trophy for the continent, just like Ghana did two years ago. Ghana was not present in Columbia.
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It is a game that we could have won. Unfortunately it was not our day
Results
GROUP A South Korea Colombia France Mali Mali Mali 2-0 2-0 2-0 GROUP D Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria Guatemala Croatia Saudi Arabia 5-0 5-2 2-0
Mali ended the group in last position GROUP B Cameroun Portugal Cameroon EIGHTH FINAL Mexico Argentina Nigeria - - - Cameroon Egypt England 1-1 (3-0ap) 2-1 1-0 New Zealand Cameroon Uruguay 1-1 1-0 1-0
Nigeria finished top of the group GROUP E Egypt Egypt Egypt Brasil Panama Austria 1-1 1-0 4-0
Egypt ended 2nd QUARTER FINAL France - Nigeria 3-2 (after extra time)
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small country, the coach remarked at the end of the last match. It is the first time they are qualifying for the Womens World Cup. It is a dream come true for them. The players had wished to represent their country honorably and I am sure that our compatriots will be satisfied with what they have accomplished. We performed well and we have learnt a lot. This final phase will remain a good experience for my players. Anonman, who will play next season with FFC Tribune Potsdam, particularly distinguished herself in the group stage of this competition. The Equato-Guinean captain was not only noted for her hair style, but also for her goal scoring ability. Everybody saw her exceptional qualities remarked Frigerio, who was proud of her captain. She is talented, ambitious and very strong. Anonman is a little bit of the Marta of Equatorial Guinea. She scored two goals in the tournament and largely played her part. I think that if the team learns from its adventure and continues to prepare well, she has chances of coming back for the next edition, added the Brazilian strategist.
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Results
Group A
26-06-2011 France 20-06-2011 Germany 05-07-2011 Nigeria
Pts
Huge Disappointment
n the part of the Nigerian team, there was immense disappointment when they were eliminated in the first round of the competition. Disappointment was visible in the in faces of Stella Mbachu and Perpetual Nkwocha after their last encounter, especially having ended by beating Canada. Mbachu emerged the player of the match while Nkwocha scored her teams lone goal in the encounter. It was my last game for Nigeria. I am happy to have participated in this tournament. However, I now need to reitre, Mbachu announced after the victory against the Canucks. We were hopeful we would qualify for the quarter final and I am disappointed that we were unable to achieve that. We didnt envisage things this way. We came here with the intention of going to the second round. However, one doesnt always get what one wants. The scorer, Nkwocha will also be absent in the next FIFA Womens World Cup. I know I will not be part of the team in 2015. But I am not giving up yet even though Germany 2011 was my last World Cup. I think we will qualify for the Olympic Games and I hope I will be retained. I still desire to play for the national team. In the meantime, I am thinking of the possibility of ending my career after the Olympic Games, Nkwocha explains. The next edition of the World Cup is far off. Four years is a long time. From now till then, I will think of my future. I wouldnt wait for four years to do that, Stella Mbachu told fifa.com. She does not however know what her life after football will look like. I dont yet have a project after leaving football. I dont think I will become a coach, its not for me. I wouldnt like it. In fact, I would like to do something which is directly linked to football.
9 6 3 0
3 3 3 3
3 2 1 0
0 0 7 0 1 7 0 2 1 0 3 1
3 4 2 7
+4 +3 -1 -6
Group D
29-06-2011 Norway - Equatorial Guinea 03-07-2011 Australia - Equatorial Guinea 06-07-2011 Brazil - Equatorial Guinea
Pts P W D L p c
3 3 3 3
3 2 1 0
0 0 7 0 1 5 0 2 2 0 3 2
0 4 5 7
+7 +1 -3 -5
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sperance of Tunisia, who took part in the Clubs World Cup in Doha, Qatar, failed to replicate the achievement of TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi, who played the final of the competition a year ago against Inter Milan. The hopes of the Tunisian club were dashed by the Asian representative, Al Sadd of Qatar which lined up three African internationals; the Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj, the Ivorian offensive midfielder Kader Keita and the Senegalese striker, Mamadou Niang. Esperance who dominated the start of the game went one goal down when goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia pushed back a Kader Keita thunderbolt giving Khalfan Al Khalfan the opportunity to open the score at the 33rd minute. The Qatar team doubled the score after half time through a header from Abdulla Koni. The Tunisians could reduce the score line thanks to a spot kick by Ossama Darragi at the 60th minute. The equalizing goal of the Cameroonian, Yannick NDjeng was disallowed for off side play. That is how the Tunisian team bungled the quarter final match they would have won. The team, coached by Nabil Maaloul, lost again in the classification match against the Mexican side, Monterrey by 2-3 after having scored first through through NDjeng and had a penalty transformed into goal by Khaled Mouelhi. Esperance ended in a disappointing 6th position.
QUARTER FINAL Al Sadd (Qatar) FIFTH PLACE MATCH Monterrey (Mexico) CAFoot Magazine - Esperance (Tunisia) 3-2
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Historical facts
Historical facts has it that the club, which commands a great sense of tradition was formed on 11-1111; that is on the 11th day of the 11th month in the 11th year of the 20th century by a group of young men led by Asafoatse Nettey (a.k.a Christopher Brandford Nettey) at Ussher Town to provide challenge to a club called Invincibles, then the only football club in James Town (now Accra). This made Hearts of Oak, the third football club in the then Gold Coast after Excelsior (1903 in Cape Coast) and Invincibles (1910 in Accra). Whilst Excelsoir and Invincibles have since folded up, Hearts of Oak have survived the test of time to become one of Ghanas most successful clubs of all-time. The colours of the club have are red, yellow and blue with the symbolical Oak tree whilst their Never Say Die motto reflects the ability of the Oak
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Was formed on 11-11-11 that is on the 11th day of the 11th month in the 11th year of the 20th century
tree to survive all kinds of the weather conditions. Hearts of Oak are based in Accra, the Ghanaian capital but have grown to attract followers across the length and breadth of the country. The clubs achievement over the years has only been rivalled by Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
CAFoot Magazine
1982), Emmanuel Christian Briandt (first captain of the Black Stars), Charles Addo Odametey, Offei Dodoo, Amusa Gbadamosi Pele of Africa, Mohammed Polo, Thomas Hammond, Adolf Armah, Ishmael Addo, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Charles Taylor and a host of others who have distinguished themselves above par. Aside series of administrators, three former captains of the Ghana national team, Black Stars, namely Briandt, Addo Odametey and lately Stephen Appiah have come from the phobia army. Since winning the first ever football league in Ghana held in 1958, the Phobians have gone on to win 20 titles, one adrift of bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko. They have also annexed the FA Cup 10-times and the Champion of Champions (Super Cup) enviably nine-times. Translating their seniority on the pitch, they remain Ghanas only club to have won the CAF Champions League in 2000, whilst the CAF Super Cup followed months later. Also they beat archrivals Asante Kotoko in the final of the maiden CAF Confederation Cup, the first ever continental final involving teams from the same countries in 2004. Other memorable historical facts were matches against English side, Stoke City that featured the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews in 1957 and against Brazilian side, Santos, which featured the legendary Pele in 1969, both at the Accra Sports Stadium. In addition, three former Chairmen of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) were also from the Hearts family. They are Henry Plange Nyametei (1960 1966), Elias Teye (1984 1986) and Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe (2004 2005). The greatest coach in the history of the club is Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, who guided the club to win all their titles in the continental club championship (CAF Champions League in 2000, CAF Super Cup 2001 and CAF Confederation Cup in 2004) Celebrations for the centenary anniversary commenced in October with series of activities including a trip to their traditional home, tree planting exercise and awards night where footballers, administrators and fans were honoured for the contributions towards the club over the years. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, Board Chairman of the club mentioned the floatation of shares as one of the major achievement in the clubs 100-years of existence whilst their major challenges are fund related. Let us bury our differences, remain focused and resolve to push the club toward greater heights.
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Great Players
The achievement cannot be complete without legendary actors such as Charles Kumi Gyamfi (who later coached Ghanas Black Stars to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1963, 1965 and
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We also pay glowing tribute to the founders of our great club whose sweat and toil sowed and nurtured the seeds of glory we enjoy today. The Phobia spirit is indomitable and has seen the club grow from strength to strength and there is therefore the need for the present generation to emulate that spirit to ensure the Club wins more laurels in future. The centenary celebration is an opportunity to work towards reaching the levels of some great teams in Africa. This is an opportunity to rejuvenate hearts and do something different to elevate the club, Commodore-Mensah noted. There were series of congratulatory messages from all stakeholders of Ghana football in remembrance of the feat. GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi was full of praise for the club for the tremendous contribution to Ghana football. It is a unique occasion to celebrate. Hearts of Oak has done a lot for Ghana football. Hundred years in the life of any institution is no mean achievement. Hearts of Oak was founded from very humble
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beginnings on the sound values of Excellence, Perseverance, Fair-play, Equity and Good Governance. They have produced administrators, coaches and footballers who have contributed significantly to the game. We congratulate them on this important milestone worth celebrating. We hope you will build on the modest gains achieved over the past Century as a basis for greater achievements in the future, Nyantakyi acknowledged.
The Phobia spirit is indomitable and has seen the club grow from strength to strength
The climax of the anniversary themed The Hearts of Oak legacy, the spirit that never dies was an international friendly against Enugu Rangers of Nigeria on November 13 at the Accra Sports Stadium; unfortunately the Nigerians spoiled the party by posting a 2-1 win over their hosts. The Phobians join the like of Al-Ahly of Egypt and their archrivals Zamalek to reach the centenary mark in African football. In the Ghanaian parlance, they respond to the slogan
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airo giants Zamalek became Egypts fourth club to celebrate their centenary. The Whites joined El Sekka El Hadeed, Alexandria Olympic and their bitter rivals Ahly in continuing 100 years of existence. Zamalek was established in 1911 and celebrated their first century this year. It was in 1911 when Belgian lawyer George Merzbach founded Zamalek club under the name Qasr El Neel which was shortly after changed to Al Mukhtalat. That name lasted for 30 years before being changed to Farouk after Egypts King Farouk I. After the 1952 revolution, the name was again and finally changed to Zamalek. The White club was ruled by Mr. Merzbach and his secretaries until being fully controlled by Egyptians from the year 1923. The First Egyptian president for the club was Dr. Mohamed Badr who led the club for a couple of years between 1917 and 1919 before the club was once again being managed by Belgians. In 1923, Haider Basha the Defence Minister at that time became the president of the club, and he was the longest serving in that position, since then till the July 1952 revolution. In 1922, Zamalek won the first ever Egypt Cup title by beating an English side in the final.
Zamalek was established in 1911 and celebrated their first century this year.
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Zamalek has always contributed in presenting some of the big names to Egypts national team.
first tournament held in 1921-22 and the last was in 2008. Two of these titles were shared between the rivals Ahly and Zamalek and that was in 1943 and 1958. Also, Zamalek won the Egyptian Super Cup twice in 2001 and 2002. Continentally, Zamalek holds the second place in CAF Champions League winners records with 5 titles, one short of Al Ahly. The White Knights won the continents premier club competition title in 1984, with other trophies coming in 1986, 1993, 1996 and 2002. Apart from the above, Zamalek won the defunct Cups Winners Cup once in 2000 in addition to 3 CAF Super Cup titles in 1994, 1997 and 2003. Further more, Zamalek has always contributed in presenting some of the big names to Egypts national team. Egypts squad which participated in the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy included eight players from their fold (Al Mukhtalat by then). Players such as defender Ali El Said, midfielders Mohamed Bakhati, Hassan El Far, Ahmed Halim Ibrahim, Ismail Raafat, Ali Shafi and forwards Mohamed Latif and Mustafa Taha were part of the Egyptian squad during the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
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Zamalek players also were nominated more than once for the CAF player of the year award.
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For us Zamalek is not just a football team; it is the most important part of our lives
followers. The game ended with Atletico Madrid winning 4-1 but the score line was not important for Zamalek fans who celebrated their clubs first centenary. This celebration was for us the fans said Ahmed Adel, a dyed-in the wool Zamalek fan and one of the founders of the Ultras White Knights supporters group. For us Zamalek is not just a football team; it is the most important part of our lives. We celebrated because that day will always remain in our minds as one of the best in our history. Zamalek fans will always remain loyal to their club and that has nothing to do with the results or trophies. It is our life, and we will never give up supporting, Adel told cafonline.com. Mr. Galal Ibrahim, Zamaleks acting club president, expressed his happiness that the clubs centenary celebrations came under his presidency. Im proud to be the president of Zamalek at this specific time. Thats an honour I thank God for, Ibrahim said. The President of Zamalek blamed the current situation in Egypt for not having a bigger celebration, yet he praised the efforts of the board and Zamalek fans for organising such a festival. We would have liked to do more for our fans, like holding a huge music festival and playing other exhibition games with Europes biggest clubs, but Thank God for what we did, Ibrahim concluded. Marketing Director Khaled Refaat expressed his satisfaction with the clubs centenary celebrations, and considered the Atletico Madrid exhibition game as a good conciliation for the fans who asked for playing one of Europes giants in the centenary. Atletico is a well known team in Spain the nation that emerged the World Champions in South Africa 2010. Atletico has the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes and Diego. We tried to bring the likes of Italian Internazionale de Milan or English Liverpool but that did not work for various reasons. What matters is that we have had an appropriate celebration and the fans have made that a great day.
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ne of South Africas and Africas top football clubs, Orlando Pirates turns 75 in 2012. The Soweto based club has a rich history that it is interwoven into the fabric of South African football and it is the birth place of a good number of the South Africas renowned footballers, clubs and administrators. Dr Irvin Khoza is the chairman of Orlando Pirates, the 1995 African Champions league winners. In a wide ranging chat with Cafonline.com, Dr Khoza who is a member of the CAF Inter-Club Committee spoke of some of the clubs highlights since their formation. There are obviously many memorable moments in Orlando Pirates long and colourful life ; one of the most remarkable achievements for our club was the 1995 African Champions League victory over ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast in the final over two legs, begun Dr Khoza when asked for few of the Buccaneers great moments. It was amazing that a team in the competition for the first time would go all the way and win the title and the chairman of ASEC Mimosas tells me they still have their game-plan and formation for that match we won 1-0 in Abidjan up on their tactics board and will only remove it when they beat us. It is now 16 years and that formation is still up there. We cherish that win indeed and l dont think it had ever happened that a team would go on and win the Champions League on their first attempt. Said Dr Khoza.
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Dr Khoza says, Pirates has always used its position to improve the game of football, from forming the Orlando African Football Association in 1945 to help grow the game in the township, to joining the South African Soccer League in KwaZulu Natal because that league was non-racial. It is an innovative club that believes in investing time in the development of their industry, and knows that the club will continue to grow football as a whole. South Africas other big club and Pirates Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs was formed by Kaizer Montaung who was a Pirates player and had cut his teeth at the club. Another World renowned South African name in football is Jomo Sono and he too started his football career at Pirates and rose to be a star with the club before he founded his own club Jomo Cosmos, which also plays in the South African Premier League. The history of South African football is intertwined with that of Orlando Pirates and the clubs indelible finger-prints are on so much of the countrys football fabric. Back to that wonderful day on 16th December 1995 in Abidjan, Dr Khoza says Part of the beauty of the game of football is that there is room for the element of surprise. Orlando Pirates had been held to a 2-2 draw in Johannesburg by ASEC in the first leg of the final and not many expected the Sea Robbers to go and win in the return leg in Abidjan. Pirates
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Major Honours:
1 CAF Champions League: 1995 1 African Super Cup: 1996 4 Castle Challenge: 1975, 1977, 1983, 1992 3 Life Challenge Cup: 1973, 1974, 1975 9 Top Eight: 1972, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2011 3 Nedbank: 1988, 1996, 2011 1 Telkom Knockout: 2011 4 Sales House Cup: 1972, 1975, 1977, 1983 4 Premier Soccer League: 1994, 2001, 2003, 2011 7 Charity Spectacular: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2009 2 Vodacom Challenge: 1999, 2005 *The honours listed above are considered to be the clubs major titles and, as such, are not intended to be a full list of achievements.
Club records
Most appearances William Okpara 375 Most goals Benedict Vilakazi 52 Most capped Player at National level Teko Modise 37 (South Africa) Most appearances in a season William Okpara 51 (1995) Most goals in a season Dennis Lota 23 (1999/00) Record win 91 v Olympics (Bob Save Super Bowl 7/3/99) Record loss 16 v Sundowns (BP Top 8 Cup 3/2/90
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President, Mr. Issa Hayatou received a delegation from the worlds newest country, South Sudan on Saturday 24th September, 2011 at his offices in Cairo. South Sudan became an independent state on the 9th of July, 2011. Mr Duop Puoch Joak led the delegation that paid a courtesy call on the CAF president. The visiting team included Mr Rodolf Andrea Ojika, Mr Yohanis Musa Pouk, Mr Andrea Abdalla Dimiti and Mr Sestilio Juba. They discussed among other things the issue regarding South Sudans admission into the football family. Mr Rodolf Andrea Ojika said that the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has experienced administrators and various facilities in place, and are excited to be at CAF Headquarters to request support from CAF towards their admission into the International Football family. CAF president, Mr Hayatou reiterated his pride and support to South Sudan, saying that CAF will assist South Sudan and the organisation will send a delegation to the country before the end of this year to assess the facilities on the ground and provide a report to the upcoming CAF General Assembly on 10th February, 2012 in Libreville to allow its inclusion as the 54th member association of CAF, in line with articles 4 and 5 of the CAF Statutes. Upon approval of the General Assembly, CAF would then be in a position to submit to FIFA a report to request inclusion of SSFA into the worldwide football family. September 24, 2011
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News in Brief
The new Secretary General of CAF was born in Morocco on 29th of March, 1979. He attended primary and secondary school at the lyce Lyautey Casablanca before moving on to continue his studies at the Institut FrancoAmerican in Paris. In addition to being Laureate of the 4th edition of the FIFA Master (2003-2004), he was also one of the managers in charge of Marketing at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before joining CAF two years ago. September 28, 2011
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international platforms, considering the challenges facing some African countries in putting up an up to standard TV production. Mr Hayatou also added that this agreement will allow a substantial increase of revenues for a vast majority of Football Associations thanks to the solidarity approach taken. The CAF Executive Committee meeting on September 28th 2011will also confirm the revenues system to be implemented for each member associations engaged on an approved mechanism considering sporting and economic criteria. The minimum guaranteed for the above-mentioned contract is 23 million USD. September 20, 2011
CAF signs Contract for Centralised TV and Marketing Rights for 2014 World Cup.
ollowing the resolution adopted unanimously by all CAF national associations held on May 31st 2011, CAF formally concluded the contract signature for the centralized TV and Marketing Rights for the African preliminaries of the FIFA 2014 World Cup with B4 Company associated to the French entity Lagardre Unlimited and its subsidiary Sport five. CAF president, Mr Issa Hayatou signed on behalf of the organization with Mr Bianchi and Mr Lemarchand signing for B4 and Lagardre Unlimited respectively during a ceremony held at CAF HQ in Cairo, Egypt. The African qualifiers will begin in November 2011 and end in November 2013 and will involve 52 countries. The contract rights include the TV/media rights and the marketing rights for each of the qualifiers matches of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014. A minimum of ten (10) advertising boards will be exclusively reserved for the member associations. Moreover, and in consideration for the full respect of the TV Production requirements of CAF, the Host Federation and the Host Broadcaster will be entitled to broadcast each Home Match live, free to air by terrestrial means only. Hayatou said one of the objectives of this contract is to give less privileged countries an opportunity to expose their matches on
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ameroon national team started their preparations early for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 qualifications with their new manager Dennis Lavagne. The Indomitable Lions will start their preparations with a friendly tournament in Moroccan city of Marrakech where they will face Sudan and Morocco on 11 and 13 November respectively, before facing Algeria away on the 15th. Lavagne is expected to announce the squad list for the three friendly matches in which he will depend on players abroad in addition to some youngsters at home especially now that the Cameroonian league has been stopped. In his interview with France Football Magazine, Lavagne said that he aims at building a new team with a mixture between experienced players and young ones in the upcoming period. I try to make a squad including both experienced and young players because it will be difficult to count on local based players only especially when the league has been stopped for a long time. Samuel Etoo will be our captain, Lavagne said. Cameroonian football association appointed Dennis Lavagne the ex Coton Sport manager as the national team coach to succeed Spanish Javier Clemente who was sacked after the Indomitable Lions failed to qualify for the 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations. Cameroon has won the continents masterpiece four times and not qualifying was a real failure for Clemente who was also blamed for his stay in Spain and not visiting Cameroon except once or twice per month. October 27, 2011
ormer International referee Celestin Ntagungira has been elected President of the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA) for a two-year term. The 46-year old beat contender Theonas Ndanguza by a landslide in the elections held on Saturday at the FERWAFA headquarters in Kigali. He replaces John Bosco Kazura who resigned from the post last September. He polled 83 against four by his opponent to win the mandate to steer the affairs of Rwandan football. Earlier, two other contestants, Gerald Nkusi Mukubu and Clement Emmanuel Byiringiro withdrew from the race. Ntagungira is unarguably Rwandas most decorated referee before retiring few years ago. He officiated at two, FIFA World Cups, three Africa Cup of Nations, two FIFA Club World Cups as well as the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. October 25, 2011
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vorian giants, ASEC Mimosas beat ASI 5-4 on penalties to win the 2011 National Cup on Saturday at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan.
The encounter ended one all during normal time but failed to produce a winner after 120 minutes forcing the tie to be decided on penalties. Striker Adama Bakayoko shot ASEC into the lead on the half-hour mark before Alain Lakou Kone drew parity in the second half. The Mimosas sealed their victory during penalties to confirm their status as the most successful Ivorian club. It was the 17th triumph for ASEC in the annual championship. October 25, 2011
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CAF
President, Mr. Issa Hayatou, on September 24th 2011, received a delegation led by Cote d Ivoire Football Federations newly elected president Mr Sidy Diallo, together with his 1st Vice president Mr Sory Diabate and two former Federation presidents Mr Ousseynou Dieng and Mr Jacques Anouma at the CAF Headquarters. Mr Jacques Anouma is a current member of the FIFA Executive Committee. The delegation paid a courtesy visit to CAF president to introduce the new football association officials and highlight its development plan and priorities targeted at youth football to allow Ivorian football to reach new heights. Mr Hayatou congratulated Mr. Diallo on his appointment and welcomed him to the football family. The CAF President said that Cote dIvoire has always played a major role in African and World football even if the last title won was in the AFCON 1992 which was played in Senegal. However, Mr. Hayatou is confident that football will serve as a key platform to reunite the country and allow Cote dIvoire to maintain its strong position within the CAF family. September 24, 2011
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CAF and GCE-1GOAL Agree to Strengthen Partnership Black Africa wins Namibian League title
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and GCE-1GOAL have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the education advocacy campaign organization GCE-1GOAL work as CAFs Official Education Partner. CAF President, Mr Issa Hayatou signed on behalf of his organization with Mr Kailash Satyarthi signing on behalf of GCE 1GOAL . CAF Secretary General Mr Hicham El Amrani met with GCE-1GOALs Head of Broadcast and African Football, Mr Martin Davies to exchange the documents at CAF headquarters in Cairo. The memorandum covers co-operation between CAF and GCE-1GOAL in order to help CAF meet its social education objectives and emphasize its dedication to education and GCE-1GOAL to further build awareness of Education for All in Africa. Among other things in this agreement is CAFs support with access to GCE-1GOAL to players involved in its competitions for promotional and educational opportunities while GCE-1GOAL will promote CAFs educational activities through its network. 1GOAL is a campaign seizing the power of football to get all children into school and to learn. It is calling on world leaders to make education a reality for 69 million children worldwide by 2015. The number of worldwide supporters who have signed up to GCE-1GOAL campaign currently stands at just over eighteen and a half million. CAF and GCE-1GOAL already joined hands in some mutual awareness exercises during the last CAN 2010 in Angola. May 15, 2011
he league title has been decided in Namibia as Black Africa is crowned champions.
title was decided with leaders as Black Africa was crowned champions 12 years since their last championship title. Black Africa came from behind to beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 and open an unassailable 7 point lead. Second placed African Stars won 1-0 against Rambles who are in third position but with two matches to go African Stars on 32 points cannot catch Black Africa who has 41 points but the battle for second rages on with Rambles on 31 points with three games to go. While Black Africa has got the title in the bag and Champions league football to look forward to next year, the relegation fight intensifies at the bottom of the table. Bottom side Oshakati threw themselves a bit of a lifeline after beating the side above them, Blue Waters 3-1 but the latter has a game in hand. The team that is third from the bottom, Mighty Gunners also won 4-2 at SKW so it will go down to the wire on which the axe falls on. May 3, 2011
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president Issa Hayatou was on last Friday decorated with the Wissam Al Alaoui, the rank of grand officer by the Kingdom of Morocco at a colorful ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco. The honour was in recognition of Hayatous contribution to the development of football on the continent. Moroccan Minister of Youth and Sport, Moncef Belkhayat said the award demonstrates the feelings of friendship and respect that the Kingdom of Morocco has for the achievement of African football under the leadership of Mr. Hayatou. On his part, Hayatou said he was honored, overwhelmed and happy to receive the honour which emanates from His majesty King Mohammed VI. I am pleased that the kingdom of Morocco has always been a partner for the development of African football, said Mr. Hayatou. March 21, 2011
gyptian Fouly Mohamed Ahmed was elected President of UCSA. He replaces Algerian Mustapha Larfaoui. The newly elected President assured that he will endeavour to promote further sport in Africa during his tenure. CAF President Issa Hayatou was also re-elected Vice President of the Union of African Sports Confederations. Hayatou was retained by acclamation at the 12th Ordinary Session of UCSA on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique. Present at the session were members of the 26 African federations affiliated to the continental body. September 13, 2011
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President, Mr. Issa Hayatou, received a delegation from Guinea on 23rd September 2011, at his office in Cairo. Also present was CAF 2nd Vice-President Almamy Kabele. The delegation was led by Guineas Minister of Sport, the former footballer, Elhadj Aboubacar Titi Camara. The Ministers entourage included the newly elected Guinea Football Federation president Mr. Camara Salifou and his secretary general, Mr Ibrahima Barri. The delegation was
paying a courtesy call on CAF president and to introduce the new football association officials. Mr Hayatou congratulated Mr. Titi Camara on his appointment to the ministerial post and expressed his delight at a former footballer occupying such a high profile position in the country. Also, Mr. Hayatou congratulated the new Football Federation president, Mr. Salifou and welcomed him to the football family. The Guinea delegation expressed their interest to host key CAF tournaments in future and said this has the backing and support of the government and people of Guinea. September 24, 2011
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came from behind to beat giants Zamalek 2-1 on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium to win the 2011 Egyptian Cup. The result ensured a perfect revenge for the Egyptian Gas and Oil Company-sponsored club after losing to Zamalek by a similar margin in 2008. The outcome also ensured that Zamalek ended the season trophy-less for the third successive season since 2008. Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd, the highly favoured White Knights shot into the lead two minutes into the second half through burly striker Amr Zaki, who headed home from Hazem Emams cross. In 53 minutes, ENPPI was awarded a penalty after Zamalek defender, Mahmoud Fathallah, hurdled in the penalty area. Midfielder Adel Mostafa saw his initial spot-kick palmed away by Zamalek goalie Abdel Wahed El-Sayed but made no mistake with the rebound. Ten minutes from time, Ahmed Abdel-Zaher scored the winning goal by finishing off a counter attack initiated by Ahmed Raouf. It was the second triumph for ENPPI in the annual competition after beating Ittihad in 2005. ENPPI will represent Egypt in next years Orange CAF Confederation Cup. October 12, 2011
he Court of arbitration has confirmed Moucharafou as president of the Beninois Football Federation (FBF).
In a letter to FIFA, dated 16th September, 2011 and addressed to the Football Federation of Benin, a copy of which was sent to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Leisure, CAF, CAS confirms Moucharafou Anjorin as the legitimate President of the countrys football federation. We have on September 14, 2011 transmitted by electronic mail the decision of the Court of Arbitration concerning the matter filed by M. Victorien Attolou in his appeal against FIFA. This confirms that FIFA was acting in legality and what took place between December 2010 and April 2011was in accordance with the texts governing the association. Accordingly, the resolutions of the General Assembly of April 15th, 2011 stand. We hope that the positive outcome will help the FBF to go about its normal activities. It is important for the development of the game so football activities in Benin should begin as soon as possible.
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News in Brief Renard Returns as Zambia Coach TP Mazembe Wins DR Congo League Title
Pembe.
ambia has appointed Frenchman Herve Renard as coach of the national team for a second time.
TP
Mazembe wrapped up the 2011 DR Congo national league title on Sunday after a 2-0 win over DC Motema
The 42-year old has been offered a one-year contract to steer the affairs of the Chipolopolo, replacing Italian Dario Bonetti, who parted ways with the team two weeks ago. Renard will guide the Zambians for a second time at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. He was until recently in charge of Algerian club USM Algers but his contract was flexible for him to leave anytime a national team offer came knocking. It will be the second time the Frenchman will be at the helm of the Chipolopolo after an initial stint which lasted from May 2008 till April 2010. After leaving Zambia, he moved to Angola but lasted for only six months. October 22, 2011
The title aspirations of the 2009 and 2010 African club champions became a reality after contenders and holders AS Vita Club were held to a 0-0 draw by CS Don Bosco. Zambian-import Rainford Kalaba and Malian Cheibane Traore were on target for Mazembe as they cruised to their 11th league title. Les Corbeaux has 30 points, four more than AS Vita Club, who has a game in hand. The outcome of the final match will have no impact at the summit of the standings. The league title will serve as a major consolation for Mazembe after being disqualified from the CAF Champions League for fielding an ineligible player. The Lubumbashi-based club are still behind rivals AS Vita Club and DC Motema Pembe, who have each won the DR Congo league title 12-times. Mazembe and AS Vita Club will represent DR Congo in the 2012 Orange CAF Champions League. October 17, 2011
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he West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zones A & B held its Extraordinary Congress on Saturday, August 13 in Accra, Ghana.
The one-day event was also used to elect Executives to steer the affairs of the two bodies. Issues relating to the development of football as far as the West African sub-region is concerned will also be discussed. The session in collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will be attended by delegates from the 16 National Associations that constitute the two zones. The CAF delegation is led by CAF Executive Committee member, Mohammed Raouaroua, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee member. Also present for the extraordinary congress are, the second Vice President of CAF, Almamy Kabele Camara, and Honorary Vice President of CAF, General Seyi Memene. The CAF Executive Committee at its meeting last May in Cairo, Egypt, decided to opt for a status quo in conformity with article 14 of CAF statutes regarding the division of the Confederation into 6 Zones. In accordance with the CAF Statutes, West Africa was divided into Western Zones A & B. Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone constitute Western Zone A whilst Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Togo make up Western Zone B. Kwesi Nyantakyi, the President of GFA, is the Interim President of WAFU. 13 August, 2011
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CAF
Executive Committee member, Kwesi Nyantakyi has been re-elected President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for a second term. Nyantakyi, 43, was elected by popular acclamation at the GFA extraordinary congress held on Friday to steer the affairs of the Association till 2015. Being the sole candidate and in accordance with the GFA regulations, the incumbent was retained unopposed. The incumbent president will remain at the head of Ghana footballs governing body for the next four years. In his acceptance speech, Nyantakyi thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and assured of reforms to push Ghana football onto the highest pedestal. I am happy to be re-elected as President of our Association. With all humility, I extend my gratitude to all Members of the Congress for endorsing my re-election. In spite of the modest achievements recorded, a lot still remains to be done. We still have challenges confronting us in all our core areas of work, Nyantakyi said. Meanwhile, the GFA will hold its Ordinary Congress on August 4 in Accra. June 18, 2011
ormer African champions, JS Kabylie have won the 47th edition of the Algeria Cup after USM El Harrach by a lone goal in the final played over the weekend in Algiers. Striker Fares Hamiti scored the only goal of the match on 12 minutes to hand the Canaries their first title of the season. It was the fifth time the Tizi Ouzou-based club have lifted the annual trophy and their first in 17 years after 1977, 1986, 1992 and 1994. The latest feat by the Canaries still ranks them lower than last years winners Entente Setif and USM Algers, who have both won the competition a record seven times apiece. JS Kabylie will thus represent Algeria in next years Orange CAF Confederation Cup. May 4, 2011
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Former USA coach Bradley Pens Egypt Deal
Former USA coach, Bob Bradley has signed a two-year deal as coach of Egypt. The-53-year old arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to pen the deal which will see him in charge of the seven-time African champions till the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014. He replaces Hassan Shehata, who stepped down a few months ago in the wake of the Pharaohs disappointing performance in the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Bradley signed a two-year contract with the EFA to be in charge of the Egyptian National team until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for 30 thousand Euros per month, Azmy Megahed, Spokesperson of the Egyptian Football Association told national daily, Ahram Online. Im very happy and proud to coach Egypt, which boasts many talented players. I watched some training sessions and matches for Egyptian teams. The calibre of the Egyptian Premier League is high, the American told the media. He was the coach of USA from December 2006 until last July, when he was relieved of his duties by the United States Soccer Federation after the team failed to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Bradley, a former coach of Chicago Fire and Metro Stars will be unveiled on Saturday at a press conference in the Egyptian capital. September 23, 2011
international keeper Juma Kaseja. It became Yangas fourth victory in the 37-year-old club championship for the 11 nations making up the Council for East and Central African Football Association (Cecafa). Yanga edged closer to the six titles won by their cross-town archrivals, Simba of Dar es Salaam. Yangas first win, incidentally, was a 2-0 defeat in the 1975 final in Zanzibar, over Simba. The others were; 1993 - Yanga 2-1 SC Villa [Uganda] in Uganda; 1999 Yanga 1-1 [4-1, penalties] SC Villa in Uganda.n. July 10, 2011 The Gambian league has been dominated by Banjul-based clubs since its inception in 1969. Wallidan, the most successful club has won the championship fifteen times, Real Banjul eight times, Ports Authority six times, whilst Hawks, Starlight Banjul and Armed Forces have all won it twice each. Armed Forces, last years winners placed fifth whilst Wallidan finished sixth. Meanwhile, Interior and Africell have been relegated after finishing the bottom two of the12-club league. Brikama United will represent Gambia in the 2012 Orange CAF Champions League. August 9, 2011
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President Hayatou Urges for Solidarity Matches for the Horn of Africa
CAF President, Issa Hayatou has called on all the National Associations affiliated to the Confederation to organise a solidarity match to support the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa has been hit by severe food crisis and Hayatou is urging African football leaders to use the popular sport to help save the situation. As you are well aware, the horn of Africa is facing serious drought that has affected 13 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Uganda. Urgent humanitarian support is needed for these countries. The African football family cannot stay without reacting to this severe food crisis. I would like you to mobilise football clubs in your country, and organise a solidarity match; revenues will be distributed to an institution of your choice to support projects related to famine in the horn of Africa, said Hayatou. August 4, 2011
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nterclube won the 2011 Angolan Cup after beating Primeiro de Agosto 4-2 on penalties at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda.
The match ended one all during normal time forcing the tie to be decided on penalties. The final was watched by a thick crowd including Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos. With the feat, InterClube will represent Angola in next years CAF Confederation Cup, a competition in which they reached the semi final this year. It is the third time Interclube are winning the annual competition in its 30-years of existence after 1986 and 2003. November 15, 2011
enegal emerged winners of the UEMOA tournament for the second time after beating Mali 1-0 in the final. The tournament is reserved for local players of the eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union UEMOA (comprising Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo). Stephane Badji scored the only goal of the game in added-on time. Senegal is the second country to have won the competition at home after Niger in 2010. The Teranga Lions join Cote dIvoire as twice winners of the tournament. November 8, 2011
he Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has named Serbian Milutin Sredojeiv Micho as head coach of its national team.
The 42-year old Serb replaces Ghanaian Silas Tetteh, who resigned from the post last September after a string of poor results in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. No details of Michos appointment were stated by FERWAFA on their official website. According to FERWAFA, he will be assisted by locals Jean Marie Ntagwabira and Eric Nshimiyimana with Ibrahim Mugisha serving as goalkeepers trainer. Michos first assignment will be the 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifier against Eritrea next week in Asmara.The Serbian is no stranger to African football having been working on the continent since 2001. He has had stints with Villa SC (Uganda), Saint George (Ethiopia), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), and Young Africans (Tanzania) and until recently Al Hilal (Sudan). November 1, 2011
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CAF Development News FIFA, CAF Hold Conference on 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup
Algeria Organises CAF License A Coaching Course
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) in collaboration with the Algeria Football Federation (FAF) organised the License A Coaching course from 3rd to 8th October, 2011 in Ain Benian, Algiers. The Technical Department of FAF were the coordinators of the organisation of the course. Eighty-nine (89) coaches took part in the course. The course included practical and theoretical sessions. Abdel Moneim Hussein, CAF Director of Football Development and Ivorian Leo Martial supervisors of the five-day course. Algeria becomes the first country to organise the License A coaching course, which is the highest level of the coaching badges. October 5, 2011
orld Soccer governing body, FIFA in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) organised a conference on the FIFA Womens World Cup, Germany 2011 from 18th to 20th November, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The three-day conference analysed the tournament from a technical and tactical point of view by including the performance of the African participants, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea during the global championship. Also, there were discussions on the development of womens football in Africa with emphasis on potential challenges, solutions, responsibilities of member associations and the development programmes of FIFA and CAF for the next four years. Speakers included Eiji Ueda (Chairman of Japan FAs Womens Football Committee), Hiroyuki Horino (Assistant coach of the Japan womens national team), Anne Noe (FIFA Instructor, Belgium) Jacqui Shipanga (FIAF Instructor, Namibia), Michel Ritschard (FIFA Instructor, specialized in physical condition training, Switzerland). Others were Dr Yacine Zerguini (Member of FIFAs Football Medical Committee, Algeria), Hope Powell (Coach of the English female national team and FIFA Instructor) and Fran Hilton-Smith (Head of Womens Football at the South Africa Football Association). CAF Executive Committee member, Dr Molefi Oliphant was the official representative of CAF at the conference. November 17, 2011
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CAF Development News FIFA Seminar for General Secretaries and Technical Directors Ends in Accra
Elite CAF Instructors Embrace Coaching Licensing
he first ever Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) seminar for General Secretaries and Technical Directors of selected national associations in Africa took place in Accra, Ghana. The course scheduled for 24th to 27th October was a joint partnership between FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It is aimed at discussing modern managerial skills of the General Secretaries as well as refreshing the technical abilities of the Technical Directors. Thierry Regenass, FIFA Director of National Associations and Development said the seminar provides a platform for interaction with the General Secretaries of the respective national associations and Technical Directors to plan forward towards the development of football on the continent. He said the choice of General Secretaries was relevant giving the fact they act as the Chief Executives of the National Associations whilst the Technical Directors are responsible for the organisation of all football related activities. Topics to be discussed include The Role of the Technical Director vis-a-vis the General Secretary, Transfer Matching System, CAF Coaching License, Implementation of a technical development plan within the Member Association and Youth Football. Participants were from Ghana, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote dIvoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. October 25, 2011
he maiden edition of the CAF Instructors Course for A License ended with participants embracing the idea of the licensing of coaches of the continent.
The course which was held from 20th 24th July in Accra, Ghana equipped the CAF Instructors with the requisite knowledge and skills for the successful implementation of the License A programme the highest coaching badge. The five-day course was attended by elite CAF Instructors across the continent discussed topics including the Evaluation of Practical Sessions, Equivalence Coaching System, Manuals and Contents of A License System, Coaching Course Teaching Methodology amongst others. In his closing address, Frederick Pappoe, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) described the course as a unique programme in the sense that it served a training purpose for the instructors to conduct the License A coaching license. He said the five-day course was in line with the vision of putting African football at the highest level whilst expressing conviction that the instructors will help in the building of coaches who can rub shoulders with the rest of the world. Pappoe urged the coaches to serve as worthy ambassadors in the crusade to get African football to its desired status. Abdel Monein Hussein, CAF Director of Football Development on behalf of the continents soccer governing body commended the GFA for their role in the successful organization of the course. He reiterated that the aim of the course is to develop the Instructors for the elite license (License A) adding Africa is on the right path as far as the development of coaches is concerned. One of the participants, Serame Letsoaka, Technical Director of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) commended CAF for the opportunity, a major step towards equating African coaches with the rest of the world. Resource personnel for the course were Ben Kwofie (Ghana), CAF/FIFA Instructor and Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia), CAF Instructor and FIFA Technical Consultant. About 40 CAF Instructors across Africa took part in the fiveday course. July 25, 2011
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he Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) Sudan 2011 symposium ended with participants satisfied with the proceedings of the event.
The maiden edition in the history of the tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues was held from 12th to 14th June in Cairo, Egypt, with the aim of providing a platform to discuss and exchange of views with respect to the tournament. The symposium also afforded participants to have a technical and tactical evaluation of the tournament from different perspectives. Speakers included Hussein Abdel Monein, CAF Football Development Director, and CAF Technical Committee members like Fathy Nossier (Egypt), Ben Kwofie (Ghana) and Ali Gagarine (Sudan). There was also a presentation from Sami Trabelsi, coach of the Tunisian winning team. Trabelsi described the event as fruitful as it gave him the opportunity to exchange tactical and technical ideas with his colleagues from the rest of the continent. It was a fruitful session. We exchanged views and I am happy to be part of this event. Winning the tournament was a milestone in my career, and I am very glad I had an opportunity to discuss it, Trabelsi said. On his part, Lito Vidigal, coach of Angola said: I will take home lots of benefits from the symposium. I enjoyed it very much and learnt a lot too. I thank CAF for the initiative. Also, I believe all the participants benefited too. Also present were coaches of the 16 teams that participated at the CHAN Sudan 2011 tournament. June 15, 2011
he Confederation of African Football (CAF) from 21st 24th May in collaboration with the Malian Football Federation organised a refresher coaching course for female coaching instructors from Francophone countries. The aim of the course was to improve the technical and physical training instructors from national associations from over twenty countries. The course covered among other subjects, the stages of the formation and development of a footballer, technical aspects of the game, training drills and exercises like small sided games and the participants had opportunities to work in groups sharing, discussing and learning from each other. CAF Director of Technical Development, Mr Hussein Abdel Moneim applauded the progress in womens football but also said, There is more work to be done still and CAF is pressing on with these courses with a similar one for the English speaking countries which starts next week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These courses will allow our female coaches to excel and grow since all these benefit womens football. Senegalese and top CAF instructor Mama Sow who was part of the team conducting the course said just hope these women will contribute to the improvement and promotion of the game once they return to their countries and allow CAF and FIFA to help football development
he Confederation of African Football along with UNAIDS is committed to giving AIDS the red card during the 17th Orange African U-20 Championship in South Africa by inviting football players and fans across the African continent to celebrate life and support the global campaign to prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV. The Confederation of African Football is keen on conveying the message to all people across the continent to raise awareness of this cause with a special focus on African youth and youngsters who will be represented today with some of the top athletes on the pitch of the 17th Orange African U-20 Championship. April 17, 2011
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CAF Executive Committee News 2011 Decisions of Sub-Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations
he sub-organising committee of the Africa Cup of Nations under the leadership of CAF President Issa Hayatou met on Friday, October 28th in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
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A T
Gender Verification
he issue raised by the commission for feminine football and the medical board led to the approval of the scientific process of verification in accordance with FIFA regulations. Feminity tests will be conducted with the collaboration of national associations.
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he Executive Committee of CAF, meeting in Cairo on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, under the auspices of CAF President Issa Hayatou, went on to distribute the following competitions.
U-20 CAN
2015: in Senegal
U-17 CAN
2015: in Niger 2017: in Madagascar Meanwhile, the Executive Committee resolved to swap the hosting of the 2013 and 2017 Orange CAN between Libya and South Africa, considering the current political situation in Libya. South Africa will host the 2013 edition while Libya hosts the 2017 edition. South Africa will also host the 2014 edition of the African National Championship in place of Libya.
he CAF Executive Committee approved a sum of $ 200,000 to help victims of drought in the region and to encourage each of the national associations to participate in this huge international solidarity movement. CAF decreed that the last day of the 2012 CAN qualifiers will be devoted to advocacy. CAF will provide financial assistance to the African Union, FIFPro Africa and other humanitarian organizations.
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2. Obligation for the MAS to insert in their respective statutes the standard clause for the implementation of the club licenses in accordance with article 56 of CAF Statutes: Deadline: December 2011 3. Obligation for each CAF MA to adopt its own Club Licensing Regulations on the basis of the CAF regulations. Deadline: December 2011 4. Obligations for the MAS to establish the two decisionmaking bodies for the clubs licensing, namely: a) first-instance body (FIB) and b) Appeals body (AB) as stipulated in the FIFA and CAF Clubs licensing regulations. Deadline: May 2012 5. Inventory by CAF and confirmation of homologation of various stadia and hotels regarding countries / clubs participating in CAF Interclubs competitions. Deadline: 01 December 2012 June 3, 2011
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CAF Executive Committee News 2011 Reports on CAF U-20 Championship Orange Held from April 17th to May 1st
The Executive Committee expressed its satisfaction with the report presented. The Executive Committee has reiterated its thankfulness to SAFA for hosting the tournament at short notice. The tournament was to be held initially in Libya but was moved to a new venue due to the political situation in that country. Nigeria, winner of the competition, Cameroon, Mali and Egypt are the qualified teams to participate at the FIFA U-20 World Cup which will take place this year in Colombia.
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May 16, 2011 Eric Durand, President of IFAP sports, welcomed the signing of this agreement and said: We thank CAF for its confidence and, through this contract, we affirm to CAF our faith in the future of African football. The images of the last U-17 CAN in Rwanda were broadcast in 160 countries. Following unfounded accusations against Mr. Issa We have to reach new heights. We will make Hayatou, vice-president of FIFA and CAF President, every effort to meet CAFs expectations. and Mr. Jacques Bernard Anouma, member of FIFA Executive Committee, the CAF Executive September 29, 2011 Committee met in Cairo on May 16th 2011. The members rejected vigorously the irresponsible statements, without proof, made by the Sunday Times before the British parliament. The Executive gave its full support and solidarity to Mr. Hayatou and Mr. Jacques Bernard Anouma.
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WAFU Reorganization
Considering the organizational issues facing WAFU, which costitutes Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Togo in organising competitions as well as complying fully with Caf statutes, the Executive Committee decided to opt for a status quo ante in conformity with article 14 of CAF statutes which says that is divided into 6 Zones a. Northern Zone: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia; b. Western Zone A: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone; c. Western Zone B: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria,Togo; d. Central Zone: Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome E Principe; e. Central East Zone: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda; f. Southern Zone: Angola, Botswana, Comoros Islands, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. CAF will notify WAFU member-associations of the latest decision taken by the Executive Committee, and it is also considering financial support for regular competitions as well as ensuring that General Assemblies are held.
TP Mazembe Disqualified from the Orange CL Group Stage Fielding Ineligible Player
Following a complaint filed by Simba Sports of Tanzania following match 68 of the Orange Champions League, the Confederation of African football launched an investigation on the eligibility of TP Mazembes player named Janvier Besala Bokungu. The findings of the investigation were submitted to the Organising Committee of CAF Interclubs Competitions. Based on those findings, the Organising Committee decided to disqualify TP Mazembe on the basis of Chapter VIII (Fraud), article 24, article 26 (Qualification of players) and article 29 of Orange CAF Champions League regulations. The Organising Committee decided as well that the replacement will be made after a play-off match, to be played next week in a neutral venue, between Simba FC and Wydad of Casablanca. May 14, 2011
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Team of the Year gong. The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon were also named Womens National Team of the Year. CAF Champions League winners Esperance Sportive de Tunis was adjudged Club of the Year whilst Libya grabbed the Fair Play award. Former internationals Mustapha Hadji of Morocco and Austin Jay-JayOkocha of Nigeria were presented with Legends Awards in recognition of their contribution to the development of the game over the years. The ceremony sponsored by telecommunications giants, Globacom left the guests in awe with its rich display of culture, acrobatics and musical performance. There were also musical performances from Ghanaian hi-life sensation Kwabena Kwabena and young songstress, Efya, both from Ghana. Beninois Zeynab also added some colour to the event just as South African duo Gloria Bosman and Loyiso Bala and Kenyan acrobatic tumbling group, Troop Agile. This is the third time the award was being staged in Ghana after 2006 and 2009.
Super Falcons captain Perpetua Nkwocha was adjudged Womens Footballer of the Year for an unprecedented fourth time. The 35-year old Nigerian had previously won the award in 2004, 2005 and 2010. It was a triple delight for Cote dIvoire after teenage striker Souleymane Coulibaly was named Most Promising Talent of the Year and Noumandiez Doue as Referee of the Year. Coulibaly stole the show with his traditional woven shirt won by people from the northern part of Cote dIvoire. Niger coach Harouna Doula picked the prize for best coach whilst Africa Cup of Nations debutantes, Botswana saw their efforts in the qualifying series being rewarded with National
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Africas Finest XI
Samir Aboud (Lib)
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Blatter on his part spoke of the continents football progress with 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. He congratulated Africa and its football leaders for a wonderful 2010 World Cup in South Africa and told the delegates that many who had doubted the decision were proved wrong. The FIFA President revealed that there was better news from 2010 as FIFA had realised $ 1. 2 Billion after the World Cup in South Africa compared to $ 600 million realised after Germany 2006 World Cup. The Federations and associations will benefit from this windfall. This again is victory for Africa, said Mr. Blatter. The FIFA President concluded by congratulating CAF on initiating a successful tournament, the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which he said was in line with the goals of developing football on the continent alongside projects like Football for Hope and Win in Africa with Africa run by FIFA. The climax of the one-day session was the election of candidates unto the Executive Committees of FIFA and CAF. Results of the elections of CAF and FIFA Executive Committee held on February 23 at the CAF 33rd Ordinary General Assembly:
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he Sudanese capital, Khartoum was the centre of attraction as African football administrators gathered on February 23 for the 33rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly. The General Assembly is the legislative organ of CAF, and was attended by representatives of the 53-affiliated National Associations, to review the activities of the previous year, approve financial statements, elect members on the Executive Committee and discuss issues relating to the development of the game on the continent. CAF President, Issa Hayatou was in attendance and so was FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter alongside other global football dignitaries.
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CAF Executive Committee Northern Zone Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) elected unopposed Zone West A Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea) elected unopposed
Zone West B Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin) 19 votes Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana) 34 votes Tata Adaglo Avlessi (Togo) withdrew Hima Souley (Niger) - withdrew Central Zone
FIFA Executive Committee Jacques Bernard Anouma (Cote dIvoire) 35 votes Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima (Nigeria) 5 votes Danny Jordan (South Africa) 10 votes Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria) 39 votes Suketu Patel (Seychelles) 12 votes Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) withdrew
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Issa Hayatou (Cameroon) President Suketu Patel (Seychelles) 1st Vice-president Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea) 2nd Vice-president Adoum Djibrine (Chad) Member Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria) Member Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan) Member Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) Member Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) Member Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana) Member Constant Selemani Omari (DR Congo) Member Leodegar Tenga (Tanzania) Member Molefi Oliphant OIG (South Africa) Member (co-opted) Anouma Jacques (Cte dIvoire) Executive Committee member of FIFA Hani Aboo Rida (Egypt) Executive Committee member of FIFA Hicham El Amrani (Morocco) General Secretary
President Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Members Member Member
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Adoum Djibrine (Chad) Owona-Pascal Baylon (Cameroon) Mahmoud Hammami (Tunisia) Mohamed Mecherara (Algeria) Bonniface Mwamelo (Zambia)
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Constant Selemani Omari (DR Congo) President Clestin Musabyimana (Rwanda) Vice-President Ouattara Hgaud (Cte dIvoire) Member Djibril Traor (Mali) Member Mustapha Badri (Morocco) Member Joseph Gabio (Congo) Member Kabulo Mwana Kabulo (DR Congo) Member Nicholas Musonye (Kenya) Member Acha Falode (Nigria) Member Yazid Ouahib (Algeria) Member Kodjo Samlan (Togo) Members Louis-Claude Moundzieoud (Gabon) Member Arlindo Macedo (Angola) Member Mark Gleeson (South Africa) Member Alaa Sadek (Egypt) Member Amadou Dialo Diould (Guinea) Member Eric Mwanza (Zambia) Member Emmanuel Maradas (Chad) Member Habuba Suleiman (CAF) CAF Media Director Belaid Boumid (Morocco) President & representative of Africa Sports Press Union
FOOTBALL COMMITTEE
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) Leodegar Tenga (Tanzania) Abega Theophile (Cameroon) Abedi Pel (Ghana) Franois MPel (Congo) Anthony Baffoe (Ghana) Ali Fergani (Algeria) Ahmed Tarifi Sadiq (Sudan)
Dr. Prosper Abega (Cameroon) Amanze Uchegbulam (Nigeria) Barigye Richard (Uganda) Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon) Alimu Bah (Sierra Leone) Fode-Capi Camara (Guinea) Mr Stanislas Rakotomalala (Madagascar) Dolor Ernesta (Seychelles) Mfubusa Bernard (Burundi) Mohamed Gremida (Libye) Melles Kidane (Eritrea) Athumani Nyamlani (Tanzania)
President Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
Issa Hayatou (Cameroon) Suketu Patel (Seychelles) Adoum Djibrine (Chad) Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria) Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan) Molefi Oliphant OIG (South Africa)
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MARKETING COMMITTEE
Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria) Danny Jordaan (south Africa) Leo Mugabe (Zimbabwe) Papa Diack (Sngal) Mike Itemuagbor (Nigria) Mose Katumbi Chapwe (DR Congo) Leonie Mbwemba (Cameroon) Hani Abo Rida (Egypte) Jean-Marie Weber CAF Marketing Consultant
REFEREES COMMITTEE
Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) Badara Sene (Senegal) Molephi Oliphant OIG (South Africa) Charles Masembe (Uganda) Sinko Zeli (Cote dIvoire A.Y. Lim Kee Chong (Mauritius) Bahou Mohamed (Morocco) Ndjipendi Marcel Kuoto (Cameroon)
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President Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member member
President Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
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President Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Members
Vice-President Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
Issa Hayatou (Cameroon) President Almamy Kabele Camara (Guine) Vice-President Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) Member (President of Referees Committee) Adoum Djibrine (Chad)) Member Omari Selemani Constant (DR Congo) Member Nyantakyi Kwesi (Ghana) Member Molefi Oliphant OIG (South Africa) Member Omar Sey (Gambia) Member Said Belkhayat (Morocco) Member Zoumaro Gnofame (Togo) Member Hima Souley (Niger) Member Justino Fernandes (Angola) Member Danny Jordaan (South Africa) Member Dominic Oneya (Nigeria) Member Ahmad (Madagascar) Member Anjorin Moucharafou (Bnin) Member Ali Fassi Fihri (Morocco) Member Kazura Jean-Bosco (Rwanda) Member Ameyi Komlan (Togo) Member Dr. Mutasim Gaafar (Sudan) Member Kirsten Nemantandani (South Africa) Member Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger) Member Antonio Mangueira (Angola 2010) Member Representative of Equatorial Guinea - CAN 2012 Member Representative of Gabon - CAN 2012 Member
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Obituary
CAF Mourns the Death of Former Togo Football Federation Chairman, Ekou CAF President, Issa Hayatou has on behalf of the African family expressed condolences to the Togolese football family on the death of Godfried Ekou, a former Chairman of the Togo Football Federation. He was eighty seven years old. Until his death, he was a member of the CAF Referees Committee. Ekou, a veteran football administrator, devoted his life to the development of the game in Togo and Africa at large. Africa will always remember his great professionalism, especially his art of discipline. Mr. Ekou dedicated his life to serving the sport and he will be sorely missed by the African football family. On behalf of Executive Committee Members of CAF and on my own behalf, accept our heartfelt condolences, Hayatou said. The late Ekou is highly respected in African football circles for his vast knowledge on issues of football development. Also a FIFA Instructor, he served as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for 7th CAF U-17 Championship held in Togo in 2007. December 2, 2011
October 22nd in his hometown, Hammam Lif and will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 23rd in his hometown. He was 74. This is a big loss to African football considering his vast knowledge on issues relating to the administration of the game. He was abreast with rules of the game and made meaningful impact anytime called upon, Hayatou said. Baccar was also a member of the CAF Disciplinary Board and also served on the Consultative Committee CAF/National Associations. He was also a former General Secretary of the Tunisia Football Federation. In addition, he served on the Local Organising Committee for the Tunisia 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. October 23, 2011 CAF Mourns Renowned Ghanaian Football Administrator Tetteh CAF President, Issa Hayatou, on behalf of the African football family has expressed condolences to the Ghana Football Association, and Liberty Professionals F/C on the death of renowned administrator, Ibrahim Sly Tetteh. Tetteh passed away on Saturday
September 3rd at a hospital in Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. He will be laid rest on Sunday in Accra. Its a big loss to African football, especially grassroot football considering his academies in other African countries, Hayatou said.Tetteh was also a member of the Organising Committee of the African Futsal Championship. The ex-footballer was the founder of Liberty Professionals F/C, the club that has nurtured some of the finest Ghanaian football exports to Europe. Amongst them are Michael Essien (Chelsea), Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), John Paintsil (Leicester City), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese) and Derek Boateng (Dnipro FC), all current members of the Black Stars. He also runs three football academies in Ghana, Togo and Kenya, which have churned out scores of young players for the various national teams of the three countries. As a footballer, Tetteh won the WAFU Cup with Sekondi Hasaacas in 1982. September 4, 2011
CAF mourns Baccar, UNAF General Secretary CAF President, Issa Hayatou, on behalf of the African football family has expressed condolences to the North African Football Union (UNAF) and Tunisia Football Federation on the death of Baccar Mohieddine. Baccar passed away on Satuday,
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CAF Sympathises with Congolese Football Family CAF has sympathized with DR Congo Football Federation on the death a Management Committee for the National Football League, a Match Commissioner and four Referees. They are Tshimuanga Mukobuela, Member of the Management Committee for the National Football League, Mafuta Kibeke - Match Commissioner, Justin Mayabuana, Benjamin Mpande, Mahungu Miboti and Manix Bofanda all referees. The six persons died following a plane crash in Kisangani. They were heading to Kisangani to officiate the TS MALEKESA TP MAZEMBE league match. July 11, 2011 slid into the northbound lane where it was hit by a pickup truck and caught fire. The former defender played football for the Alabama Agricultural &Mechanical University where she graduated in 2009. She played for the Bulldogs from 2005-2007 and led the team to the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The talented defender also featured for the Black Queens at the 2002 and 2006 African Womens Championship in Nigeria as well as FIFA Womens World Cup in 2003 and 2007 in United States and China respectively. She started her career with Accra-based Mawuena Ladies Football Club. April 23, 2011 playing his football for Skoda Xanthi.News from Greece said that the 25-year-old Xanthi defender skidded off a road while driving to Salonika to finalise arrangements for his wedding. A statement released after the news of his death said: The Greek Football Federation expresses its grief at the untimely death of Nigerian international for Skoda Xanthi footballer, Olubayo Adefemi in a car accident this morning.United, the members of the Greek Football Federation board and family express their sincerest condolences to his family and relatives, and also to Xanthi. Adafemis friend and teammate, Zambian Chris Katongo, said Xanthi players were in shock when they heard the news of Adafemis death. It was a good day and all the playerswere laughing and joking when the manager came in and broke the news. Everyone was in shock, said Katongo. He was like a brother to me because we shared the same room dur ing team camping. It is a big loss to me and the entire Xanth iteam, added Katongo. Adefemis team Skoda Xanthi has said a friendly match will be organised in memory of the Nigerian defender and the proceeds will be sent to his family. Adafemi signed for Xanthi last summer from French side Boulogne and made 24 appearances for the club scoring two goals. He played five times for Nigeria. April 19, 2011
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Former Ghana Defender Dies in a Motor Accident in US Ex-defender of Ghanas national womens football team, Patricia Ofori was killed in a car accident in Huntsville, United States on Wednesday. Ofori, who was 29 died on the spot while driving south on the Pulaski Pike, outside Hunstville. Her Car, a Ford Mustang,
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Nigerias Adefemi Dies in Car Accident Nigeria international, Olubayo Adefemi has died in a car accident, in Greece where he was
Obituary
Former Sierra LeoneCoach Zarpanelian Passes Away Raymond Zarpanelian, a former coach of Sierra Leone has passed away at the age of seventy eight. The Franco-Armenian passed away last Tuesday at a hospital in Paris after a protracted battle with kidney cancer. Zarpanelian was the first Frenchman to lead an Anglophone team after guiding Sierra Leone at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 in Tunis. He also had stints with AS Bobo Dioulasso of Burkina Faso and Saudi Club, Al Nasr. Until his death, he was linked to the technical director of Central African Republic. Zarpanelian was laid to rest on Wednesday, April 6 in Paris. April 15, 2011 CAF Mourns Cameroon Legend Eboue The Confederation of African Football is mourning the death of Jean Daniel Eboue who passed away this month at age 60. CAF President Mr. Issa Hayatou in a letter of condolence to the
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to the late Eboues family and Cameroon Football Association said he was saddened by the news of Eboues death. He was an extraordinary player who was versatile and contributed immensely to that great Cannon Yaound team. Eboue was a powerful and talented midfielder who was a key member of the successful 1970s and 80s Cameroonian club side, Cannon Yaound. Eboue was the first player to win the Cameroonian player of the year award and he made his international debut in 1973. He scored for Cameroon in 1974 Africa Nations Cup and again in the following edition of Central Africa Games in 1976. Eboue, who had retired from his work with the police at the time of his death, ended his international career in 1980 after helping Cameroon beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in a World Cup 1982 qualifier match played in Harare. April 14, 2011
CAF mourns the death of Zakaria Zerouali The Confederation of African Football mourns the death of Moroccan Zakaria Zerouali who passed away October 3, at the age of 33. CAF President Mr Issa Hayatou in a letter of condolence to the to the late Zeroualis family and Royal Moroccan Football Federation said he was saddened by the news of Zeroualis death. Zerouali was player for Raja Casablanca and was also a member of the Moroccan national team from 2004 to 2009. October 5, 2011
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August
03,04,05 10,11,12 09 11 15 17,18,19 18 24,25,26 31
CC & CL Group matches CAN U-20 First Round 2nd leg Women Olympic Games football ends Men Olympic Games football ends Friendly match days CC & CL Group matches FIFA U-20 Women World Cup begins CAN U-17 First Round 1st leg CC & CL Group matches
February
03 03,04,05 06 10 10 11 11 12 17,18,19 17,18,19 24,25,26 29
Orange CAN 2012 Organizing Committee meeting U-17 Women First Round 2nd Leg Orange CAN 2012 Organizing Committee meeting CAF 34th General Assembly Press Conference of FIFA and CAF Presidents Orange CAN 2012 Organizing Committee meeting CAF Executive Committee meeting Ends: Orange CAN 2012 in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea CC & CL Preliminary 1st Leg U-20 Women First Round 1st leg CAF Super Cup CAN 2013 Qualifiers Preliminary Round Two 1st Leg
September
01,02 07,08,09 07,08,09 07,08,09 07 to 11 09 14,15,16 21,22,23 22 28,29,30
CC & CL Group matches CAN 2013 First Round 1st leg CAN 2013 Qualifiers Preliminary Round Three 1st Leg CAN U-17 First Round 2nd leg International match days FIFA U-20 Women World Cup ends CC & CL Group matches CAN U-20 Second Round 1st leg FIFA U-17 Women World Cup begins CAN U-17 Second Round 1st leg
October
CC & CL Preliminary 2nd Leg U-20 Women First Round 2nd leg U-17 Women Second Round 1st Leg 1/16th Final CC & CL 1st Leg U-17 Women Second Round 2nd Leg U-20 Women Second Round 1st leg 05,06,07 05,06,07 12,13,14 12,13,14 12,13,14 19,20,21 19,20,21 26,27,28 12 to 16 13
Futsal begins U-20 Women Second Round 1st leg 1/16th Final CC & CL 2nd Leg Futsal ends CAN U-17 1st Round 1st leg U-20 Women Second Round 2nd leg CAN U-20 Preliminary Round 1st leg 1/8 Final CC & CL 1st leg CAN U-17 1st Round 2nd Leg AFC v CAF Olympic Games play-off Olympic Games Draw
CC Group matches CL Semi-final 1st leg CAN 2013 Qualifiers Preliminary Round Three 2nd Leg CAN 2013 First Round 2nd leg CAN U-20 Second Round 2nd leg CC Group matches CL Semi-final 2nd leg CAN U-17 Second Round 2nd leg International match days FIFA U-17 Women World Cup ends
November
02,03,04 02,03,04 02 04 09,10,11 09,10,11 16,17,18 18 18 23,24,25 30
May
CAN U-20 Preliminary Round 2nd leg U-20 Women Third Round 1st leg 1/8 Final CC & CL 2nd leg U-20 Women Third Round 2nd leg FIFA Congress AWC First Round 1st Leg
CL Finals 1st leg CC Semi-final 1st leg FIFA Futsal World Cup begins AWC begins CL Finals 2nd leg CC Semi-final 2nd leg CC Final 1st leg AWC ends FIFA Futsal World Cup begins CC Final 2nd leg CHAN Preliminary Round 1st leg
December
01,02 06 14,15,16 16
CHAN Preliminary Round 1st leg FIFA Club World Cup begins CHAN Preliminary Round 2nd leg FIFA Club World Cup ends
World Cup 2014 group matches International match days World Cup 2014 group matches International match days CAN 2013 Qualifiers Preliminary Round Two 2nd Leg AWC First Round 2nd Leg 2nd 1/8 Final CC 1st leg
NB:
AWC (Africa Women Championship) CL (Orange CAF Champions League) CC (Orange CAF Confederation Cup) CHAN (Orange African Nations Championship) CAN ( Orange Africa Cup of Nations)
2nd 1/8 Final CC 1st leg CL Group matches 2nd 1/8 Final CC 2nd leg CL Group matches Women Olympic Games football begins Men Olympic Games football begins CAN U-20 First Round 1st leg
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