The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations starts today in the year 2024 as it was postponed due to adverse summer flooding in the host nation Ivory Coast.

The opening match is tonight at 8pm GMT (9pm CET, 3pm EST) when Ivory Coast take on Guinea-Bissau in the 60000 capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium (also known as the Olympic Stadium of Epimbe).

The AFCON, more than any other international tournament I can think of, feels like it should be granted the REAL FOOTBALL seal of approval. Closely fought matches between teams usually not blessed with super star players, fans in the stadium playing
traditional music and beating drums, stadiums with running tracks around them which give a sort of 70's to 90's World Cup retro appeal.

Except every AFCON I remember watching of late has been mainly played to largely empty stadiums as they price ticket prices so high as to effectively shut locals out from paying to attend any game not involving the host nation, so perhaps not. Let's hope
the ticket prices suit local wallets better this time.

Let's use this thread for match reports and scores.

Happy AFCON, everyone!


RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

Except every AFCON I remember watching of late has been mainly played to largely empty stadiums as they price ticket prices so high as to effectively shut locals out from paying to attend any game not involving the host nation, so perhaps not. Let's

hope the ticket prices suit local wallets better this time.

For the group stages the cheapest ticket is 5000 FCFA (up from 3000 in 2022) but the most expensive ticket is 15000 FCA (down from 20000). Hard to find a lot of information about the average salary in Ivory Coast but from what I can find online and doing
some admittedly rough calculations the cheapest ticket would appear to be many more times the average daily wage.

Or to look at it another way: the cheapest ticket is equivalent to $8 in a country where 11% of people live off less than $2.15 per day and 75.6% live off less than $6.85 per day.

I think this points to a lot of empty stadiums in the matches not involving Ivory Coast? Perhaps some neighbouring nations like Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso might take enough travelling support to make the ground fuller, as might a continental
power house like Egypt?


RM

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STOP PRESS

Ivory Coast v Guinea Bissau is live on BBC 3 (free to air)

BBC showing selected matches, apparently.

RM

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Alassane Ouattara Stadium looks great, as good as any ground you’d see in Western Europe.


RM

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And Ivory Coast go 1-0 up when Fofana shields the ball from two defenders and finds the back of the net from just inside the area! 5 minutes played.


RM

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59 minutes, Krasso basically plays keepy up in the area then does a sort of falling side volley (?) to put Ivory Cosst 2-0 up!

RM

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FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Guinea Bissau 0


Tomorrow's fixtures:

Nigeria - Equatorial Guinea

Egypt - Mozambique

Ghana - Cape Verde


RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Guinea Bissau 0

Thanks for the report and posting the results. Will try to catch some games if possible.

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Group A

Nigeria 0 - Equatorial Guinea 0 33 minutes

After yesterday’s near full house we’re back to the usual AFCON image of a near empty stadium. The tickets ate just priced too expensive for local people to go to a match they don’t have a vested interest in.

Believe it or not this is the same 60000 capacity stadium from yesterday, not that you would recognise it from today’s rows of empty seats.

Osimhen has come close for Nigeria a couple of times. Is it only a matter of time before the Super Eagles take the lead?


RM

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And as soon as I suggest Nigeria will take the lead Equatorial Guinea work the ball into the box, Edu shoots from just inside the area to put the National Thunder (not it’s not a heavy metal band name, it’s their nickname) 1-0 up.

Then Nigeria respond with a cross from the left which Osimhen heads in at the far post to equalise!

39 minutes Nigeria 1 - Equatorial Guinea 1. Who needs fans?


RM

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HT:

Nigeria 1 - Equatorial Guinea 1


Equatorial Guinea’s kit would make a great Italy away kit: white with blue trim, and the Tricolore colours under the collar.


RM

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75 minutes- Nigeria put Osmhen through one on one, somehow he puts his shot wide. How did he miss that?


RM

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The cameras show fans of both sides partying in the stands, there just seems to be hardly any local fans to make up the numbers.


RM

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65 minutes- still 1-1 but Nigeria have forced a couple of good saves from the Equatorial Guinea keeper.


RM

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FT: Nigeria 1 - Equatorial Guinea 1

It was all Nigeria in the second half but they just couldn’t put away their chances.

A result that gives Ivory Coast the advantage in Group A.


RM

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Only a minute gone and the former Galatasaray forward Mostafa Mohammed turns and shoots in the area to put Egypt 1-0 up!


RM

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Welcome to a largely empty Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium for an AFCON 2023(4) Group B double header! Egypt v Mozambique followed by Ghana v Cape Verde! What better way to spend a Sunday evening?

Egypt are in their traditional red shirts with black trim, Mozambique are wearing a Borussia Dortmund style yellow shirts with black trim.


RM

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On 2024-01-14 12:25 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Mozambique are having some attacking possession here. Is an equaliser on
the cards?

RM

Very quiet stadium, I thought maybe more Egyptians would have traveled.

I actually just switched over from the #ManuTOT match. Lily White would
be happy to see Spurs are at least trying to play Spurs football. Timo
Werner started and he has not missed a beat.

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Mozambique are having some attacking possession here. Is an equaliser on the cards?

RM

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HT: Egypt 1 - Mozambique 0


RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-14 12:25 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Mozambique are having some attacking possession here. Is an equaliser on
the cards?

RM

Very quiet stadium, I thought maybe more Egyptians would have traveled.

I actually just switched over from the #ManuTOT match. Lily White would
be happy to see Spurs are at least trying to play Spurs football. Timo
Werner started and he has not missed a beat.

Please don’t pollute the AFCON thread by talking about Premier League matches. We’re trying to cover REAL FOOTBALL here!

RM

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Quembo has the ball crossed to him from the right and heads powerfully into the net! 1-1 57 minutes!


RM

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And now it’s 2-1 to Mozambique! Baque (sp?) received a low pass from midfield, rides a sliding tackle and shoots low past the keeper!

60 minutes.

RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-14 1:18 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Quembo has the ball crossed to him from the right and heads powerfully
into the net! 1-1 57 minutes!


RM

Whaaat EGY 1 - 2 Moz?

Yes, the Mambas are strangling the Pharaohs!

Mozambique’s AFCON record before today: P 12 W 0 D 2 L 10

Can they make history?


RM

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On 2024-01-14 1:18 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Quembo has the ball crossed to him from the right and heads powerfully
into the net! 1-1 57 minutes!

RM

Whaaat EGY 1 - 2 Moz?

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VAR to Egypt’s rescue? Penalty awarded in injury time for a high tackle, although as far as I could see both plays went in high and took each other out.

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Salah’s penalty hits the post but bounces in to make it 2-2.

Lucky Egypt, thst didn’t look a penalty to me.

RM

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Injustica!

FT: Egypt 2 - Mozambique 2

Mozambique can hold their heads high, they were only minutes from their first AFCON win, and against the most successful AFCON team too.

Egypt lucky but have still given Ghana a great chance to take the lead in Group B tonight.


RM

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The Black Stars of Ghana are about to take on the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. The stadium looks a little fuller for the second part of this Group B double header.

RM

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HT: Ghana 0 - Cape Verde 1

RM

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Ghana looked to have equalised with a shot outside the area but VAR says there was a Ghana player in the box impeding the keeper’s view - no goal!

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It’s been all Cape Verde so far and they’re rewarded with a goal on 16 minutes when the keeper parried Cabrao’s shot into the path of Montero for a comfortable finish! The Blue Sharks are 1-0 up!

RM

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59 minutes Djiku heads in a free kick to equalise.

Ghana 1 - Cape Verde 1


RM

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Cape Verde bring on former Galatasaray and current Ankaragücü winger Garry Rodrigues- can he make the difference?

RM

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72 minutes, Garry Rodrigues crosses, Bebe shoots.........Djiku clears off the line! So close for Cape Verde!

RM

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89 minutes Garry Rodrigues through one on one but the Ghana keeper parries his shot away! So close!

RM

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In the last 10 minutes it’s Cape Verde knocking on Ghana’s door! This would be a great opportunity to take the lead in Group B over Egypt - can they make the breakthrough?


RM

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It’s over! We’ve seen the first shock result of the tournament as Cape Verde beat Ghana 2-1. Cape Verde now lead Group B!

This was a double header played at the same stadium, Egypt- Mozambique was pretty deserted but travelling fans from both sides seemed to fill out the stands a bit more for this one.

RM

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The Blue Sharks bite in injury time! Ghana make a mess of clearing the ball from their area and it falls to Garry Rodrigues for a simple tap in! Ghana 1 - Cape Verde 2! The Cape Verde players celebrate by climbing the stairs of the stand as if they have
just won the FA Cup!


RM

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Real_Mardin <realmardinrss@proton.me> wrote:

Real_Mardin wrote:

Except every AFCON I remember watching of late
has been mainly played to largely empty stadiums
as they price ticket prices so high as to effectively
shut locals out from paying to attend any game
not involving the host nation, so perhaps not.
Let's hope the ticket prices suit local wallets
better this time.

For the group stages the cheapest ticket is 5000
FCFA (up from 3000 in 2022) but the most
expensive ticket is 15000 FCA (down from 20000).
Hard to find a lot of information about the average
salary in Ivory Coast but from what I can find online
and doing some admittedly rough calculations the
cheapest ticket would appear to be many more
times the average daily wage.

Or to look at it another way: the cheapest ticket is
equivalent to $8 in a country where 11% of people
live off less than $2.15 per day and 75.6% live off
less than $6.85 per day.

I think this points to a lot of empty stadiums in the
matches not involving Ivory Coast? Perhaps some
neighbouring nations like Ghana, Guinea, Mali and
Burkina Faso might take enough travelling support
to make the ground fuller, as might a continental
power house like Egypt?

I’m sorry, but in a stadium that has seen two fatal
crowd crushes in the last 15 years, and just two years
after eight people have been trampled to death at the same competition, I cannot help but be rather
relieved to see the stands less than packed.

Ciao,
Werner

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Werner Pichler wrote:

Real_Mardin <realmardinrss@proton.me> wrote:

Real_Mardin wrote:

Except every AFCON I remember watching of late
has been mainly played to largely empty stadiums
as they price ticket prices so high as to effectively
shut locals out from paying to attend any game
not involving the host nation, so perhaps not.
Let's hope the ticket prices suit local wallets
better this time.

For the group stages the cheapest ticket is 5000
FCFA (up from 3000 in 2022) but the most
expensive ticket is 15000 FCA (down from 20000).
Hard to find a lot of information about the average
salary in Ivory Coast but from what I can find online
and doing some admittedly rough calculations the
cheapest ticket would appear to be many more
times the average daily wage.

Or to look at it another way: the cheapest ticket is
equivalent to $8 in a country where 11% of people
live off less than $2.15 per day and 75.6% live off
less than $6.85 per day.

I think this points to a lot of empty stadiums in the
matches not involving Ivory Coast? Perhaps some
neighbouring nations like Ghana, Guinea, Mali and
Burkina Faso might take enough travelling support
to make the ground fuller, as might a continental
power house like Egypt?

I’m sorry, but in a stadium that has seen two fatal
crowd crushes in the last 15 years, and just two years
after eight people have been trampled to death at the same competition, I cannot help but be rather
relieved to see the stands less than packed.

Ciao,
Werner

Ouch.

RM

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Welcome to the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro for an AFCON 2023(4) Group C double header! First up we have Senegal v The Gambia and those of you who don’t like to see CAF grounds overcrowded will be delighted to hear the newly built 20000
capacity stadium is largely empty!


RM

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Senegal take the lead after 3 minutes after the pass the ball around in the box and Gueye shoots low past the keeper!


RM

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Ion Saliu wrote:

On Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 3:11:04 PM UTC+2, Real_Mardin
wrote:

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations starts today in the year 2024 as
it was postponed due to adverse summer flooding in the host
nation Ivory Coast.

The opening match is tonight at 8pm GMT (9pm CET, 3pm EST) when
Ivory Coast take on Guinea-Bissau in the 60000 capacity Alassane
Ouattara Stadium (also known as the Olympic Stadium of Epimbe).

The AFCON, more than any other international tournament I can
think of, feels like it should be granted the REAL FOOTBALL seal
of approval. Closely fought matches between teams usually not
blessed with super star players, fans in the stadium playing
traditional music and beating drums, stadiums with running tracks
around them which give a sort of 70's to 90's World Cup retro
appeal.

Except every AFCON I remember watching of late has been mainly
played to largely empty stadiums as they price ticket prices so
high as to effectively shut locals out from paying to attend any
game not involving the host nation, so perhaps not. Let's hope
the ticket prices suit local wallets better this time.

Let's use this thread for match reports and scores.

Happy AFCON, everyone!

RM

Africa Cup of Nations will become the best competition in the world
of football (soccer).

When they can sort out the problem of people pulling the cables out
of the broadcasting feed! ;-)

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The Sky Sports broadcast lost picture about 20 minutes or so in and googling it seems Supersport in Africa has had the same problem. Google is reporting the half time score as Senegal 1 - The Gambia 0.

RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

The Sky Sports broadcast lost picture about 20 minutes or so in and
googling it seems Supersport in Africa has had the same problem.
Google is reporting the half time score as Senegal 1 - The Gambia 0.

The broadcast feed for everyone went down... I missed a red card, a
second Senegal goal and Nicholas Jackson coming off the bench!

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FT: Senegal 3 - The Gambia 0

RM

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Sky Sports has the picture back and Camara shoots diagonally low past the keeper to put Senegal 2-0 up after 52 minutes!

There might not be many attendance but one group of supporters are playing Jazz style music which is making up for it, the unique sound which makes the AFCON!

RM

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Camara places a beautiful shot from outside the area into the top corner to put Senegal 3 - 0 up!


87 minutes played.


RM

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The stadium has filled out a little more for the second part of this Group C double header as Cameroon play Guinea (just how many Guineas are there in this tournament?!?). It’s the Indomitable Lions against the National Elephants!


RM

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HT Cameroon 0 - Guinea 1


Not been able to watch much of this but have seen enough to know it’s not going the Indomitable Lions’ way!

The Guinea captain has been sent off, which could be a bit of a leveller in the second half.


RM

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Guinea had just forced a save, Cameroon fail to clear the biall, some high pressing wins Guinea the ball back and Bayo fires past the keeper to put Guinea 1-0 up. 12 minutes played.


RM

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Magri equalised with a diving header on 51 minutes.

Cameroon showing Indomitable Lion spirit to get back into this.

73 minutes played.

RM

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FT: Cameroon 1 - Guinea 1


Cameroon pushed forward in the second half but the 10 men of Guinea dug in to hold on for the point.

Not too sure what to make of this from a Cameroon standpoint. On one hand we came back from 1-0 down to get a point, but on the other should we have done more against 10 men? My fellow Indomitable Lion Mark, what do you think?

RM

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9 minutes Algeria 0 -Angola 0

Algeria in their famous green and white kit, Angola’s kit looks like Belgium.

Stadium looks full by AFCON standards?

Algeria looking the more threatening early on.

RM

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On 2024-01-15 2:07 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

FT: Cameroon 1 - Guinea 1

Cameroon pushed forward in the second half but the 10 men of Guinea dug
in to hold on for the point.
Not too sure what to make of this from a Cameroon standpoint. On one
hand we came back from 1-0 down to get a point, but on the other should
we have done more against 10 men? My fellow Indomitable Lion Mark, what
do you think?

RM

Considering Giurassy and Keita were not playing ( I assume both are
injured) and they played most of the game with 10, I would say a good
result for Guinea. I did not see the match.

I will stick with them as my longshot pick, though the main reason I
picked them was due to Keita and Guirassy.

Algeria playing Angola now, if I am to believe the rankings, this should
be an easy win for Algeria

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On 2024-01-15 3:25 p.m., Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-15 2:07 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

FT: Cameroon 1 - Guinea 1


Cameroon pushed forward in the second half but the 10 men of Guinea
dug in to hold on for the point.
Not too sure what to make of this from a Cameroon standpoint. On one
hand we came back from 1-0 down to get a point, but on the other
should we have done more against 10 men? My fellow Indomitable Lion
Mark, what do you think?

RM

Considering Giurassy and Keita were not playing ( I assume both are
injured) and they played most of the game with 10, I would say a good
result for Guinea.  I did not see the match.

I will stick with them as my longshot pick, though the main reason I
picked them was due to Keita and Guirassy.

Algeria playing Angola now, if I am to believe the rankings, this should
be an easy win for Algeria

Algeria only leading 1-0 at the half, they had a really nice goal called
back for offside. Algeria looking good for the win, but Angola are
still in it.
I would say more noise coming from this game then most of the games I
saw on the weekend

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My internet went off so I haven’t been watching this but Algeria are 1-0 up after 52 minutes.

RM

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67 minutes, Angola awarded a penalty for foul in the area, Mamaloulou sp?) hit the crossbar but then knocked his ow rebound into the net (he needn’t have bothered as the replay showed it crossed the line). 1-1 71 minutes played.


RM

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Attendance has just been announced as 19740, the Stade de la Paix has a 40000 capacity, not bad by AFCON standards.


RM

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FT: Algeria 1 - Angola 1

Algeria had a chance to win it in injury time but the Angolan keeper did well to save the shot.

I have to leave my cosy AFCON bubble tomorrow to venture out into the outside World so no AFCON reports from me until possibly the late game between Mali and South Africa, if anyone else is free to do match reports please feel free to do so.


RM

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On 2024-01-15 4:46 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Attendance has just been announced as 19740, the Stade de la Paix has a
40000 capacity, not bad by AFCON standards.

RM

Yeah, the crowd and noise seemed decent for this match, which ended 1-1.
I thought Algeria were the better team, but they really did not do
enough for the projection machine to project them winners. Right now we
are projecting Senegal, but not enough results are in yet.

I think Algeria is third favourite to win this while Angola were ranked
20th out of 24.

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I managed to get back from the freezing cold outside just in time to see Burkina Faso awarded a VAR penalty (sliding tackle in the area, was VAR really needed?) in injury time which Traore converted to put them 1-0 up against Mauritania.


RM

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FT: Burkina Faso 1 - Mauritania 0

Crowd sound lively, seems like Burkina Faso have a lot of traveling support.

RM

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Tunisia v Namibia about to start in a sunny and mainly empty Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. This is the opening match in Group E. It’s the Eagles of Carthage v The Brave Warriors!

Tunisia are in their classic white with red trim, Namibia are wearing a very Portuguese looking dark red with green shorts.

RM

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89 minutes, a a deep and high Namibia high ball found Hotto unmarked, he headed into the net to put Namibia 1-0 up.

5 minutes injury time indicated.

RM

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FT:

Tunisia 0 - Namibia 1

Another surprise result.

Tunisia forced the Namibia keeper into some good saves, but then Namibia forced a Tunisia defender to hook the ball off the line earlier, so I can’t say the win wasn’t deserved.

RM

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On 2024-01-16 2:05 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

FT:

Tunisia 0 - Namibia 1

Another surprise result.

Tunisia forced the Namibia keeper into some good saves, but then Namibia forced a Tunisia defender to hook the ball off the line earlier, so I
can’t say the win wasn’t deserved.

RM

The South will rise again!

Northern teams not doing so well...so far.

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Mali v South Africa kicks off.

Many Mali fans in the stands.

South Africa with six players from the same club (?).

This is going to be a match of the tournament contender, I can feel it......


RM

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20 minutes South Africa miss a penalty - over the bar!


RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

This is going to be a match of the tournament contender, I can feel
it......

Don't give up your day job! :-)

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On 2024-01-16 3:23 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

20 minutes South Africa miss a penalty -  over the bar!

RM

Let me go out on a limb and say neither team will win the AFCON. The
Sud African commentators have been entertaining though.

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On 2024-01-16 3:03 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Mali v South Africa kicks off.

Many Mali fans in the stands.

South Africa with six players from the same club (?).

This is going to be a match of the tournament contender, I can feel
it......

RM

They must be using the WWEPL VARobots, a handball call so bad that even
the PK taker thought it was such a bad call that he skied it over the goal.

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Binder Dundat wrote:

Let me go out on a limb and say neither team will win the AFCON.

I got a bit excited to see a goal in this game and nearly spilled my
tea! Fortunately I had it drank before the second Mali goal...

2-0 to Mali will surely suffice... in what - apart from the two goals
in six minutes - has been a very dull affair.

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Blueshirt wrote:

Binder Dundat wrote:

Let me go out on a limb and say neither team will win the AFCON.

I got a bit excited to see a goal in this game and nearly spilled my
tea! Fortunately I had it drank before the second Mali goal...

2-0 to Mali will surely suffice... in what - apart from the two goals
in six minutes - has been a very dull affair.

I saw more of the first half than the second. I thought South Africa looked threatening earlier on and had high hopes this could have been an AFCON classic of sorts, but sounds like Mali took control in the second half.

Good to see the ground full with supporters. As anticipated, certain neighbouring countries can bring a fair amount of supporters, it's the matches involving nations from further away that suffer because not enough locals can afford the ticket prices to
make up the numbers.


RM

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Morocco v Tanzania about to start , the first match of Group F.

The newly built and largely deserted Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro was apparently built by cutting back the rain forest (!!).

Tanzania wearing what could psss as a Fenerbahce kit, blue and yellow stripes.

RM

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HT: Morocco 1 - Tanzania 0

This is all Morocco, Tanzania are basically reduced to sitting back and fouling. Although bear in mind Morocco have players with World Cup and Champions League experience, wheras Tanzania have an English non- league player and even a player with no club.

A superficially strange match both because Tanzania are wearing a striped kit more resembling a club side and also because the stadium in San Pédro seems to be missing a proper stand at one end.


RM

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Ziyech shoots from a free kick, the Tanzania keeper can only parry the ball to th feet of Saiss for an easy finish. Morocco 1 - Tanzania 0, 31 minutes played.

RM

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Ounahi scores from just inside the area following a nice ‘one two “ move to put Morocco 2-0 up after 78.

Tanzania reduced to 10 men.

Surely this is all but over?

RM

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And The Gambia are rewarded for all their attacking play as Colley puts them 2-1 up.

But then an own goal by The Gambia as the defender slide tackles a cross into his own net! 2-2 86 minutes.


RM

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So then The Gambia “equalise” from a corner but the replay shows this was not a header but more a “hand of God” style handball!

VAR reviewing it - goal cancelled!

This AFCON just keeps on giving!

RM

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Cameroon head in a corner on 90 minutes to go 3-2 up! Only minutes ago we were 2-1 down! That’s why they call us the Indomitable Lions!



RM

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It’s over! The Indomitable Lions have lived up to their name by coming back from 2-1 down to beat The Gambia 3-2!

And it gets better - Senegal scored a second goal to beat Guinea 2-0, which means Cameroon finish second ahead of Guinea (same GD but Cameroon scored more goals so rank higher).

Mark, my fellow Indomitable Lion - I told you we’d do it!

All credit to The Gambia, who for spells were the better team and played like men possessed.

Guinea progress as there at least two third placed sides with worse records.


Group C Final


1st Senegal 9pts

2nd Cameroon 4pts

3rd Guinea 4pts (goals scored)

4th The Gambia 0pts



RM

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Mauritanian knocks out Algerian and I would say deservedly so. First win
for them in AFCON. Angola win the other match and the group.

It seems Algeria was starting with the younger players and waited until
the second half to bring on the "old stars", but it didnt make much
difference.




On 2024-01-23 2:11 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

It’s over! The Indomitable Lions have lived up to their name by coming
back from 2-1 down to beat The Gambia 3-2!

And it gets better - Senegal scored a second goal to beat Guinea 2-0,
which means Cameroon finish second ahead of Guinea (same GD but Cameroon scored more goals so rank higher).

Mark, my fellow Indomitable Lion - I told you we’d do it!

All credit to The Gambia, who for spells were the better team and played
like men possessed.
Guinea progress as there at least two third placed sides with worse
records.

Group C Final

1st Senegal 9pts

2nd Cameroon 4pts
3rd Guinea 4pts (goals scored)

4th The Gambia 0pts

RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

Mauritanian knocks out Algerian and I would say deservedly so. First win
for them in AFCON. Angola win the other match and the group.

It seems Algeria was starting with the younger players and waited until
the second half to bring on the "old stars", but it didnt make much difference.

Indeed,FT:

Angola 2 - Burkina Faso 2

Mauritania 1 - Algeria 0


Group D Final:


1st Angola 7pts

2nd Burkina Faso 4pts

3rd Mauritania 3 pts

4th Algeria 2pts


Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania all advance.

Today's results also see Ghana officially eliminated as only Zambia can theoretically finish worse than them as a third place team. Hosts Ivory Coast are still hanging on by the skin of their teeth and will be hoping Namibia and Zambia don't get anything
from their matches tomorrow. A draw for both would see the hosts eliminated.


RM

On 2024-01-23 2:11 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

It’s over! The Indomitable Lions have lived up to their name by coming
back from 2-1 down to beat The Gambia 3-2!

And it gets better - Senegal scored a second goal to beat Guinea 2-0,
which means Cameroon finish second ahead of Guinea (same GD but Cameroon
scored more goals so rank higher).

Mark, my fellow Indomitable Lion - I told you we’d do it!

All credit to The Gambia, who for spells were the better team and played
like men possessed.
Guinea progress as there at least two third placed sides with worse
records.


Group C Final


1st Senegal 9pts

2nd Cameroon 4pts
3rd Guinea 4pts (goals scored)

4th The Gambia 0pts



RM

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On 2024-01-23 16:14, Real_Mardin wrote:

Binder Dundat wrote:

Mauritanian knocks out Algerian and I would say deservedly so. First
win for them in AFCON.  Angola win the other match and the group.

It seems Algeria was starting with the younger players and waited
until the second half to bring on the "old stars", but it didnt make
much difference.

Indeed,FT:

Angola 2 - Burkina Faso 2

Mauritania 1 - Algeria 0

Group D Final:

1st Angola 7pts

2nd Burkina Faso 4pts

3rd Mauritania 3 pts

4th Algeria 2pts

Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania all advance.

Today's results also see Ghana officially eliminated as only Zambia can theoretically finish worse than them as a third place team. Hosts Ivory
Coast are still hanging on by the skin of their teeth and will be hoping Namibia and Zambia don't get anything from their matches tomorrow. A
draw for both would see the hosts eliminated.

I would not be at all surprised to see Tunisia jump into second place
with a win, leaving South Africa potentially in 3rd place, and most
likely better off for GD than Cote D'Ivoire. Or South Africa end up 4th
if Namibia can grind out a draw vs. Mali. Tunisia are still an OK side
and regular world cup qualifier.

The hosts could be more optimistic about things going their way in the
Group F, if Morocco and DR Congo take their games seriously. But this
is AFCON, so who knows ?

RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-24 12:36 p.m., MH wrote:

On 2024-01-23 16:14, Real_Mardin wrote:

Binder Dundat wrote:

Mauritanian knocks out Algerian and I would say deservedly so. First
win for them in AFCON.  Angola win the other match and the group.

It seems Algeria was starting with the younger players and waited
until the second half to bring on the "old stars", but it didnt make
much difference.

Indeed,FT:

Angola 2 - Burkina Faso 2

Mauritania 1 - Algeria 0


Group D Final:


1st Angola 7pts

2nd Burkina Faso 4pts

3rd Mauritania 3 pts

4th Algeria 2pts


Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania all advance.

Today's results also see Ghana officially eliminated as only Zambia
can theoretically finish worse than them as a third place team. Hosts
Ivory Coast are still hanging on by the skin of their teeth and will
be hoping Namibia and Zambia don't get anything from their matches
tomorrow. A draw for both would see the hosts eliminated.

I would not be at all surprised to see Tunisia jump into second place
with a win, leaving South Africa potentially in 3rd place, and most
likely better off for GD than Cote D'Ivoire.  Or South Africa end up 4th
if Namibia can grind out a draw vs. Mali.  Tunisia are still an OK side
and regular world cup qualifier.

WE are projecting Tunisia to NOT win the AFCON.

THey are terrible.

Lol

It’s as if they weren’t aware they needed to win to qualify, no sense of urgency at all.

FT:

Tunisia 0 - South Africa 0

Mali 0 - Namibia 0


Group E Final:

1st Mali 5 pts

2nd South Africa 4pts

3rd Namibia 4pts

4th Tunisia 2pts


Mali, South Africa and Namibia all advance.

RM

The hosts could be more optimistic about things going their way in the
Group F, if Morocco and DR Congo take their games seriously.  But this
is AFCON, so who knows ?

RM

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On 2024-01-24 12:36 p.m., MH wrote:

On 2024-01-23 16:14, Real_Mardin wrote:

Binder Dundat wrote:

Mauritanian knocks out Algerian and I would say deservedly so. First
win for them in AFCON.  Angola win the other match and the group.

It seems Algeria was starting with the younger players and waited
until the second half to bring on the "old stars", but it didnt make
much difference.

Indeed,FT:

Angola 2 - Burkina Faso 2

Mauritania 1 - Algeria 0


Group D Final:


1st Angola 7pts

2nd Burkina Faso 4pts

3rd Mauritania 3 pts

4th Algeria 2pts


Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania all advance.

Today's results also see Ghana officially eliminated as only Zambia
can theoretically finish worse than them as a third place team. Hosts
Ivory Coast are still hanging on by the skin of their teeth and will
be hoping Namibia and Zambia don't get anything from their matches
tomorrow. A draw for both would see the hosts eliminated.

I would not be at all surprised to see Tunisia jump into second place
with a win, leaving South Africa potentially in 3rd place, and most
likely better off for GD than Cote D'Ivoire.  Or South Africa end up 4th
if Namibia can grind out a draw vs. Mali.  Tunisia are still an OK side
and regular world cup qualifier.

WE are projecting Tunisia to NOT win the AFCON.

THey are terrible.

The hosts could be more optimistic about things going their way in the
Group F, if Morocco and DR Congo take their games seriously.  But this
is AFCON, so who knows ?

RM

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HT:

Zambia 0 - Morocco 1

Ziyech smashes in a rebound from the keeper.

Tanzania 0 - DR Congo 0


As things stand Morocco 1st, DR Congo 2nd. Zambia 3rd but with two points, so Ivory Coast would qualify at their expense. One goal from Zambia would reverse that.


RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

WE are projecting Tunisia to NOT win the AFCON.

THey are terrible.

From what I've seen of this tournament so far, they are not the only
ones!!!

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Real_Mardin wrote:

HT:

Zambia 0 - Morocco 1

Ziyech smashes in a rebound from the keeper.

Tanzania 0 - DR Congo 0

As things stand Morocco 1st, DR Congo 2nd. Zambia 3rd but with two points, so Ivory Coast would qualify at their expense. One goal from Zambia would reverse that.

RM

Both matches finished as per the half time scores.

Group F final:

1st Morocco 7pts

2nd DR Congo 3pts

3rd Zambia 2pts

4th Tanzania 2 pts


Morocco and DR Congo advance. However improbable it looked st the start of the week, Zambia and Ghana have finished behind Ivory Coast in the third placed rankings so the Elephants live to fight another day. Seems only fair given they’ve built new
stadiums to host this AFCON.

RM

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The Round of 16. I would say Senegal and Morocco are favourites, but
the Randomness of AFCON means anyone can win.


Saturday 27 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Angola
Namibia

20:00 GMT
Nigeria
Cameroon

Africa Cup of Nations
Sunday 28 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea

20:00 GMT
Egypt
Congo DR

Africa Cup of Nations
Monday 29 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Cape Verde
Mauritania

20:00 GMT
Senegal
Ivory Coast

Africa Cup of Nations
Tuesday 30 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Mali
Burkina Faso

20:00 GMT
Morocco
South Africa


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Well what didn't happen in that first half??

Angola keeper sent off for handling outside the box.

Advantage Namibia - but Angola work the ball into the area as if they're the team with a man advantage, Fredy crosses low to find Gelson Dala unmarked, he finishes to put Angola 1-0 up.

Namibia have since had a player sent off themselves for a second yellow.

From the resulting free kick Angola double their lead with a Gelson Dala header!


HT: Angola 2 - Namibia 0


RM

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FT: Angola 3 - Namibia 0

The pace at which Angola counterattack must make them a threat to any team.



RM

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HT: Nigeria 1 - Cameroon 0

Lookman gave the Super Eagles the lead.


RM

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Nigeria looked to have taken the lead when the Cameroon keeper twice made a mess of cleaning crosses which fell to Ndiaye for an easy finish, but after Nigeria had long finished celebrating VAR noticed two Nigeria players offside! Best thing ever VAR,
won’t hear a word said against it!

RM

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75 minutes gone, still 1-0 Nigeria.

Nothing is really happening other than some very good trumpet playing in the stands giving this match the authentic AFCON feel.

But now Cameroon bring on Aboubakar - can he change the game?

Nigeria keeper stretchered off injured.


RM

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FT:

Nigeria 2 - Cameroon 0

Not the classic match it was billed as.

Nigeria play Angola in the quarterfinal.

RM

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Equatorial Guinea v Guinea is underway, 0-0 after 7 minutes.

Please note - THIS IS NOT A DERBY! THE TWO COUNTRIES DON'T BORDER EACH OTHER! IN FACT THEY'RE NOWHERE NEAR EACH OTHER!


RM

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Ecquatorial Guinea reduced to 10 men as Bikoro is sent off for a high challenge.

58 minutes played 0-0.


RM

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ECQ benefit from a VAR penalty for a sliding tackle, Nsue takes the penalty and sends the keeper the wrong way.........

.....but the ball bounces off the post!

71 minutes Ecquatorial Guinea 0 - Guinea 0



RM

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Just when it looked like we were headed for extra time, Bayo heads in a cross from the right to win the match for Guinea.

FT:

Ecquatorial Guinea 0 - Guinea 1


Ecquatorial Guinea can hold their heads high, they did well to get this far.


RM

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Egypt 1 - DR Congo 1 FT

The match goes into extra time.

AFCON extra time is better than UEFA extra time as there is someone constantly playing a vuvuzela sounding instrument in the background. It adds a bit of atmosphere.


RM

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Egypt DR Congo has gone to penalties.

Both teams score first round of penalties, in round 2 Mostafa Mohamed shoots wide for Egypt and DR Congo shoot over the bar.

RM

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Both teams score the fifth round on penalties, we’re in a sudden death situation now.

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Both teams score the fourth round on penalties, 3-3.

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Sixth round, Heghazi scores for Egypt, DR score too.

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Seventh round, Fathi scores for Egypt, Mbemba scores for DR Congo.

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Eight round Hamara scores for Egypt, Egypt keeper got a hand to the DR Congo penalty but the ball goes in!

Ninth round, both keepers take the penalties!

Egypt keeper’s penalty hits the crossbar............and bounces........OUT!


DR Congo keeper shoots.............Egypt keeper slides............the wrong way...........and the ball goes in!


DR Congo win the penalty shootout 8-7 with their keeper scoring the winner!


RM

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On 2024-01-28 6:10 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Eight round Hamara scores for Egypt, Egypt keeper got a hand to the DR
Congo penalty but the ball goes in!

Ninth round, both keepers take the penalties!

Egypt keeper’s penalty hits the crossbar............and bounces........OUT!

DR Congo keeper shoots.............Egypt keeper slides............the
wrong way...........and the ball goes in!

DR Congo win the penalty shootout 8-7 with their keeper scoring the winner!

RM

Even though neither Guirassy or Keita started, my pick Guinea still won
their Guinea derby match and continue to the QFs. Not the greatest
match, I thought Guinea were the better team and they should have got
better, when around the 55min E Guinea went down to ten men for a
totally deserved red card. but then E Guinea were given a pk to take a
lead against the run of play-except they didnt. The shot hit the
outside of the post, so itlooked like Guinea had to win now. And I was
just waiting for them to get their goal until around the 98 min or so
when I was thinking, OK they are going to ET now and are going to lose
this somehow. But of course in the 98 min they got the winner. Like I
said not a great game, slow first half, too many cheap fouls for my
liking, but it got tense in the 2nd half.

The big match is today between the hosts and Sengal. Everything points
to a Sengal, but I somehow think Ivory Coast will pull off the win.
Should be a good crowd for this one, looking forward to this match.

The other match is between two less fancied teams in Cape Verde and
Mauritania, but then again I think Angola was ranked lower than these
two and look at them.

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On 2024-01-29 9:10 a.m., Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-28 6:10 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Eight round Hamara scores for Egypt, Egypt keeper got a hand to the DR
Congo penalty but the ball goes in!

Ninth round, both keepers take the penalties!

Egypt keeper’s penalty hits the crossbar............and
bounces........OUT!


DR Congo keeper shoots.............Egypt keeper slides............the
wrong way...........and the ball goes in!


DR Congo win the penalty shootout 8-7 with their keeper scoring the
winner!


RM

Even though neither Guirassy or Keita started, my pick Guinea still won
their Guinea derby match and continue to the QFs.  Not the greatest
match, I thought Guinea were the better team and they should have got
better, when around the 55min E Guinea went down to ten men for a
totally deserved red card. but then E Guinea were given a pk to take a
lead against the run of play-except they didnt.  The shot hit the
outside of the post, so itlooked like Guinea had to win now.  And I was
just waiting for them to get their goal until around the 98 min or so
when I was thinking, OK they are going to ET now and are going to lose
this somehow.  But of course in the 98 min they got the winner.  Like I said not a great game, slow first half, too many cheap fouls for my
liking, but it got tense in the 2nd half.

The big match is today between the hosts and Sengal.  Everything points
to a Sengal, but I somehow think Ivory Coast will pull off the win.
Should be a good crowd for this one, looking forward to this match.

The other match is between two less fancied teams in Cape Verde and Mauritania, but then again I think Angola was ranked lower than these
two and look at them.

Sharks beat Lions but Lions beat Elephants...maybe

Why are they playing in a small stadium?
Senegal scored quickly and quieted the crowd, but ever since Sane got
away with a yellow card, the Elephants have been doing most of the
pressing, with out much scoring threat though.

1-0 HT

Next goal wins.

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Binder Dundat wrote:

1-0 HT

Next goal wins.

If VAR hadn't overturned that 'weird' refereeing call and given THAT
penalty I'd have said the match was fixed. Mendy clearly took the
dude out. Stonewall penalty!!!

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Blueshirt wrote:

Binder Dundat wrote:

1-0 HT

Next goal wins.

If VAR hadn't overturned that 'weird' refereeing call and given THAT
penalty I'd have said the match was fixed. Mendy clearly took the
dude out. Stonewall penalty!!!

Yeah, it was astonishing that VAR was required - even the people back in row Z could clearly see Mendy took him out!


Ivory Coast score the penalty, 8 minutes into extra time, 1-1.

RM

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Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-29 9:10 a.m., Binder Dundat wrote:

On 2024-01-28 6:10 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Eight round Hamara scores for Egypt, Egypt keeper got a hand to the DR
Congo penalty but the ball goes in!

Ninth round, both keepers take the penalties!

Egypt keeper’s penalty hits the crossbar............and
bounces........OUT!


DR Congo keeper shoots.............Egypt keeper slides............the
wrong way...........and the ball goes in!


DR Congo win the penalty shootout 8-7 with their keeper scoring the
winner!


RM

Even though neither Guirassy or Keita started, my pick Guinea still won
their Guinea derby match and continue to the QFs.  Not the greatest
match, I thought Guinea were the better team and they should have got
better, when around the 55min E Guinea went down to ten men for a
totally deserved red card. but then E Guinea were given a pk to take a
lead against the run of play-except they didnt.  The shot hit the
outside of the post, so itlooked like Guinea had to win now.  And I was
just waiting for them to get their goal until around the 98 min or so
when I was thinking, OK they are going to ET now and are going to lose
this somehow.  But of course in the 98 min they got the winner.  Like I
said not a great game, slow first half, too many cheap fouls for my
liking, but it got tense in the 2nd half.

The big match is today between the hosts and Sengal.  Everything points
to a Sengal, but I somehow think Ivory Coast will pull off the win.
Should be a good crowd for this one, looking forward to this match.

The other match is between two less fancied teams in Cape Verde and
Mauritania, but then again I think Angola was ranked lower than these
two and look at them.

Sharks beat Lions but Lions beat Elephants...maybe

Why are they playing in a small stadium?

I imagine because they didn't bank on the host nation finishing third. Funny that in a tournament where many of the games have been played in stadiums too big for the demand one of the marquee matches gets played in a stadium they could have filled three
times over.


RM

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Well, well. The team which lost 4-0 at home to Equatorial Guinea just knocked out the holders Senegal 5-4 on penalties.

RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

Well, well. The team which lost 4-0 at home to Equatorial Guinea
just knocked out the holders Senegal 5-4 on penalties.

Côte d'Ivoire deserved the win though, I thought overall they were
the better team.

I thought Mendy should have saved that last penalty though, it went
close enough to him!

Looking on the bright side, Nico Jackson will be back in time for the weekend...

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FT: Mali 2 - Burkina Faso 1

Loving some of the stuff the African commentators are coming out with. Paraphrasing: Darkness falls on the stadium in Korhogo. And darkness befalls Burkina Faso who can see the grim reaper standing over them with his scythe!


I remember thinking a few years back that Mali could become a force based on their youth results at the time and had a feeling they might be the next “big’ African team at a World Cup (probably 2026). So far they’re not disappointing.

RM

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Mark wrote:

On Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:17:00 PM UTC, Real_Mardin wrote:

FT:

Nigeria 2 - Cameroon 0

Not the classic match it was billed as.

Nigeria play Angola in the quarterfinal.

RM

I forgot to ask. Why were Cameroon playing in the wrong colours?

I don’t know the answer but I’m convinced our failure was down to not wearing the traditional green shirts/ red shorts / yellow socks combination!


RM

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Welcome to a practically deserted stadium in San Pedro! It’s hot, it’s humid, it can only mean an AFCON Tuesday night! Morocco v South Africa coming up next!

RM

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Sadly technical problems have prevented me watching most of this, but South Africa 1-0 up with four minutes left and Morocco have just missed a penalty as Hakimi’s shot hits the crossbar and bounces over!


RM

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FT: Morocco 0 - South Africa 2

Technical problems meant I missed both goals, but the vuvuzelas sounded good!

That’s all North African teams out.

So much for Morocco and Senegal being the favourites!


RM

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So now on to the final eight, with no Northerners or favourites left. As
it stands, the favourites to win it all now is Nigeria, followed by
Ivory Coast and Mali.



Friday 2 February 2024
17:00 GMT
Nigeria
Angola

I thought Angola looked good in the last match, they are the biggest
longshot pick to win of the final 8.

20:00 GMT
Congo DR
Guinea

My pick Guinea are still somehow in it and they have not even really
used Guirassy or Keita yet. Guinea are 7th favourite to win it all.


Africa Cup of Nations
Saturday 3 February 2024
17:00 GMT
Mali
Ivory Coast
The hosts have to win this right?


20:00 GMT
Cape Verde
South Africa
In terms of betting odds, this should be the closest match.





On 2024-02-01 7:11 a.m., Mark wrote:

On Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 11:05:14 AM UTC, Mark wrote:

On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:57:16 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:

The Round of 16. I would say Senegal and Morocco are favourites, but
the Randomness of AFCON means anyone can win.


Saturday 27 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Angola
Namibia

Angola will win

20:00 GMT
Nigeria
Cameroon

Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations
Sunday 28 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea

Equatorial Guinea

20:00 GMT
Egypt
Congo DR

Egypt

Africa Cup of Nations
Monday 29 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Cape Verde
Mauritania

Cape Verde

20:00 GMT
Senegal
Ivory Coast

Senegal

Africa Cup of Nations
Tuesday 30 January 2024
17:00 GMT
Mali
Burkina Faso

Mali

20:00 GMT
Morocco
South Africa

Morocco

I think I got 4 out of 4 here, which is pretty mediocre.

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Wissa has just put DR Congo 2-1 up against Guinea with a penalty.

Earlier today Nigeria beat Angola 1-0.


RM

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NOW TV didn’t start broadcasting Ivory Coast - Mali until 15 minutes in because apparently showing Gillette Soccer Saturday on three different streams was more important, but I joined just in time to see the Ivory Coast keeper Fofana save a penalty.

The stadium is full. Why of course, it’s the AFCON and the home team are playing!

28 minutes gone, 0-0

Yesterday DR Congo beat Guinea 3-1.


RM

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HT: Ivory Coast 0 - Mali 0


Ivory Coast reduced to 10 men as Kousounnou was sent off for a second yellow when he tripped a Mali player just outside the penalty area.

RM

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FT: Ivory Coast 1 - Mali 1

Ivory Coast were four minutes from going out but Adinga equalised. Nene had put Mali into the lead.

Ivory Coast still a man down, will it tell in extra time?


RM

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Real_Mardin wrote:

NOW TV didn’t start broadcasting Ivory Coast - Mali until 15
minutes in because apparently showing Gillette Soccer Saturday on
three different streams was more important

Sky Sports annoy the shit out of me when they do that! It's basically
them showing contempt for African football and those that want to
watch the whole match. NOTHING needs to be on three channels at the
same time.

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Drama right at the end, on 120 minutes Ivory Coast find Diakte after a corner, he shoots low - it seems to take a deflection from an Ivory Cosst player to deceive the Mali keeper and put the Elephants 2-1 up!

Then right right at the end Mali won a corner- but the ref blew for full time before they could take it - Mali players surrounded the ref in disgust!

FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Mali 1


RM

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Cape Verde - South Africa

There was basically nobody in the stadium at the start, then as the game went on you started to see lines of people walking across the rows of the stands - they’d all been watching extra time in the Ivory Coast - Mali match!

29 minutes 0-0


RM

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Cape Verde take the first penalty but Williams saves!

Moquena (sp?) smashes in the first penalty for South Africa.

Williams saves the second Cape Verde penalty!

South Africa second penalty blasted over the bar by Lapassa (sp?)

After two rounds South Africa 1-0 up.

RM

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Cape Verde third penalty, Duarte takes, again Caoe Verde shoot low to the right and again Williams saves!

But the Cape Verde keeper saves the South Africa penalty with his legs!

RM

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At the fourth time of asking Cape Verde finally score a penalty! Helps shooting a different direction to the previous three!

But South Africa also score.

Four rounds South Africa 2-1 up.

RM

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Cape Verde 0 - South Africa 0 AET

Some poor finishing on display.

Match goes to penalties.


RM

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Williams saves the fifth Cape Verde penalty to win the shootout for South Africa! He’s saved four out of five!

The Blue Sharks were toothless on the night.


Semi finals:


South Africa- Nigeria

Ivory Coast- DR Congo


RM

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Welcome to Bouaké for the 2023(4) AFCON semi final between Nigeria and South Africa! Is this a record for the fewest people in attendance at a continental semi final? The 40000 capacity Stade de la Paix is looking pretty empty!

RM

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Two constants when Nigeria play at this AFCON:

1) Pressing opposition players all over the pitch to good effect.

2) Trumpet music from their fans,


So far I’m preferring 2.


14 minutes played, Nigeria 0 - South Africa 0.

RM

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HT: Nigeria 0 - South Africa 0

South Africa with more attacking play than you might expect.


RM

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Nigeria previously took the lead with a penalty.

80 minutes gone Nigeria 1 - South Africa 0


RM

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On 2024-02-07 1:41 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Nigeria previously took the lead with a penalty.

80 minutes gone Nigeria 1 - South Africa 0

RM

90th min penalties rule

1-1

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Nigeria win the ball in their own penalty area then launch a swift counterattack which leaves Osminhen a tap in to put them 2-0 up and into the final.

OR NOT!

VAR review.....

Was Osimhen offside?

NO!

VAR spots the original Nigeria challenge was a foul in the area - Youssef fouled Percy Tau - penalty to South Africa!

Moquena sends the keeper the wrong way from the penalty- 1-1!


From thinking they were out South Africa are back in this!


I don’t think I’ve ever seen VAR turn a goal for one side into a penalty for the other!


Nigeria 1 - South Africa 1 90 minutes, six minutes injury time,.


RM

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Nigeria keeper parries away Moquena’s long distance free kick, rebound falls to a South Africa striker, surely he’ll score............

NO! He puts the ball over the bar! South Africa could have won the match there.

FT: Nigeria 1 - South Africa 1


The first semi final goes into extra time.

RM

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More VAR drama, Kekana takes out a Nigeria player when through on goal - but was the foul inside or outside the area?

After a lengthy review the ref decides outside the area (it looked close) but Kekana is sent off. South Africa down to 10 men.

118 minutes 1-1.


RM

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Ref blows for full time on 120 minutes (surely a few minutes should have been added on for the VAR review?) - we’re going to penalties,


RM

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On 2024-02-07 2:33 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

More VAR drama, Kekana takes out a Nigeria player when through on goal -
but was the foul inside or outside the area?

After a lengthy review the ref decides outside the area (it looked
close) but Kekana is sent off. South Africa down to 10 men.

118 minutes 1-1.

RM

I get the last man back red card rule and it probably doesnt mean
anything anyway, but a red card seemed harsh.

But off to Penals!

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First round penalties:

Moffi sends Williams the wrong way to put Nigeria 1-0 up.

Nwabili saves from Moquena!

RM

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Third round:


Aina blasts over the bar! Nigeria miss!

Makgopa shoots low - keeper saves!

2-1 Nigeria.

RM

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Fourth round:


Troost Ekong beats Williams.

If South Africa miss it’s over.


Mvala sends keeper the wrong way - 3-2 Nigeria.

RM

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Second round:

Omeruwo sends Williams the wrong way.

Myambela scores.

2-1 Nigeria.

RM

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Fifth round:

Ihenaco for Nigeria......

.....beats Williams.......

.......hits the post..........

.....and bounces in!

Nigeria win the penalty shootout 4-2!


South Africa let Nigeria slip through their fingers, they could have put them away in the 90.


RM

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FT:

Ivory Coast 1 - DR Congo 0


Ivory Cosst lost their final group stage match 4-0 to Ecquatorial Guinea and somehow limped through as a higher ranked third placed team and now they’re in the final.

The final is Ivory Coast - Nigeria, which objectively places the luckiest team against the best team.


RM

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Just as everyone predicted, Ivory Coast vs Nigeria final.




On 2024-02-07 2:51 p.m., Real_Mardin wrote:

Fifth round:

Ihenaco for Nigeria......

.....beats Williams.......

.......hits the post..........

.....and bounces in!

Nigeria win the penalty shootout 4-2!

South Africa let Nigeria slip through their fingers, they could have put
them away in the 90.

RM

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Mark wrote:

Ivory Coast have got no business being in the final! Ghana and
Zambia have got as much right to be there as Ivory Coast.

Now, now, no need for sour grapes... the back-to-front paddies have
earned the right to be there!

Côte d'Ivoire gave us Didier Drogba so I'm cheering them on in the
Final... Nigeria gave us Mikel John Obi, so the less said about that
the better!!!

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Mark wrote:

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:03:14 PM UTC, Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

Ivory Coast have got no business being in the final! Ghana and
Zambia have got as much right to be there as Ivory Coast.

Now, now, no need for sour grapes... the back-to-front paddies
have earned the right to be there!

How?

They're there! So they are clearly better than the teams that didn't
get there. Nobody has a right to anything, you earn it...

I hope Côte d'Ivoire go on and win it now.

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Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:03:14 PM UTC, Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

Ivory Coast have got no business being in the final! Ghana and
Zambia have got as much right to be there as Ivory Coast.

Now, now, no need for sour grapes... the back-to-front paddies
have earned the right to be there!

How?

They're there! So they are clearly better than the teams that didn't
get there. Nobody has a right to anything, you earn it...

I hope Côte d'Ivoire go on and win it now.

They're not clearly better, and haven't earned it any more, than Ghana or Zambia though. Or to clarify, they haven't earned a place in the 2nd round any more than Zambia or Ghana.

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Mark wrote:

Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:03:14 PM UTC, Blueshirt
wrote:

They're there! So they are clearly better than the teams that
didn't get there. Nobody has a right to anything, you earn it...

I hope Côte d'Ivoire go on and win it now.

They're not clearly better, and haven't earned it any more, than
Ghana or Zambia though. Or to clarify, they haven't earned a place
in the 2nd round any more than Zambia or Ghana.

Tournaments are not about peaking in the group stage, they are about
getting out of the group stage and peaking - optimally - in the
Final.

Having a poor group stage will mean for nothing if Côte d'Ivoire go
on an win AFCON.

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The final starts in 10 minutes.

Three times winners and hosts Ivory Coast v four times winners Nigeria.

All Ivory Coast’s previous finals have been 0-0 draws!

This is being broadcast 173 countries.


RM

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38 minutes, a Nigeria corner is initially headed away, but it’s high and loose and Ekong rises to head it in to give Nigeria the lead!

Ivory Coast have had more attacking play but Nigeria ahead where it matters!

RM

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Ivory Coast previously equalised and now Haller pokes in a cross to put them 2-1 up with eight minutes left! They were supposed to be out in the group stage and now they’ve got one hand on the cup!


RM

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FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Nigeria 1

Ivory Coast win the 2023(4) Africa Cup of Nations!

The moral of this story is: if you want to win a tournament, lose two of your three group games (including a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Ginea).

It’s been a wonderful AFCON, thanks to Binder, Blueshirt, Mark and everyone else for your company and support.

I hope to see you all in Morocco for AFCON 2025!


RM

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Real_Mardin <realmardinrss@proton.me> wrote:

FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Nigeria 1

Ivory Coast win the 2023(4) Africa Cup of Nations!

The moral of this story is: if you want to win a tournament,

…be the host?
Both AFCON and the Asian Cup being won by the host nation bodes well for Germany this summer.


Ciao,
Werner

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Quoting Werner Pichler in rec.sport.soccer:

Real_Mardin <realmardinrss@proton.me> wrote:

FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Nigeria 1

Ivory Coast win the 2023(4) Africa Cup of Nations!

The moral of this story is: if you want to win a tournament,

�be the host?
Both AFCON and the Asian Cup being won by the host nation bodes well for >Germany this summer.

They'll find a way to botch it!


--
Manchester United FC - CHAMPIONS
Latest: England '13 (20th) Europa '17, UEFA '08, World '08

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Real_Mardin wrote:

FT: Ivory Coast 2 - Nigeria 1

Ivory Coast win the 2023(4) Africa Cup of Nations!

Deserved over the 90 minutes I thought.

The moral of this story is: if you want to win a tournament, lose
two of your three group games (including a 4-0 defeat to
Equatorial Ginea).

It's called lulling the opposition in to a false sense of
security... :-)

Or a good old fashioned bait-and-switch... managers!!!

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The luckiest African Champions ever?

And shouldn't Ivory Coast have had about 7 players booked after each of their goals for leaving the pitch without the referee's permission?

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Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

Blueshirt wrote:

Mark wrote:

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:03:14 PM UTC, Blueshirt
wrote:

They're there! So they are clearly better than the teams that
didn't get there. Nobody has a right to anything, you earn it...

I hope Côte d'Ivoire go on and win it now.

They're not clearly better, and haven't earned it any more, than
Ghana or Zambia though. Or to clarify, they haven't earned a place
in the 2nd round any more than Zambia or Ghana.

Tournaments are not about peaking in the group stage, they are about
getting out of the group stage and peaking - optimally - in the
Final.

Having a poor group stage will mean for nothing if Côte d'Ivoire go
on an win AFCON.

They should be about finishing in the top 2 in the group stage and then peaking in the Final or whenever though. Or if it's about finishing in the top 3 it should be the same for everyone. Why should Ivory Coast go through after only ending 3rd, when
Ghana and Zambia ended 3rd too, if Ghana and Zambia had to play stronger opposition?

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Mark wrote:

Blueshirt wrote:

Tournaments are not about peaking in the group stage, they are
about getting out of the group stage and peaking - optimally -
in the Final.

Having a poor group stage will mean nothing if Côte d'Ivoire
go on an win AFCON.

They should be about finishing in the top 2 in the group stage and
then peaking in the Final or whenever though. Or if it's about
finishing in the top 3 it should be the same for everyone. Why
should Ivory Coast go through after only ending 3rd, when Ghana
and Zambia ended 3rd too, if Ghana and Zambia had to play stronger opposition?

Please send you email of complaint to... wefixeditfordrogba@afcon.con

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