Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up Archives - GhanaCelebrities.Com

Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Lots to Determine Which Of Mali And Guinea Would Meet Ghana; Cote d’Ivoire Eliminates Cameroon

01/28/2015 9:18 pm

by GC Contributor | Ellen Sackey-Addo Ellen

The group stages portion of the 30th Cup of African Nations came to an end with some interesting results coming out of Group D.

The Black Stars put on a fine display yesterday to qualify for the quarter finals, but had to wait for the completion of Group D to determine our opponents. It seems we’d have to wait a little bit more, as a 1-1 draw means Guinea and Mali cannot be separated by any of the means normally used in the football world.

It was either side’s third consecutive 1-1 draw, which means they finished equal in every department. Points, goal difference, goals scored, head to head. Short of using alphabetical order there is no other way of separating these two sides.

Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Pair Of Exciting Victories Send Congo And The Host Through To The Quarter Finals

01/25/2015 9:08 pm

by GC Contributor | Ellen Sackey-Addo Ellen

The hosts of major tournaments often receive a major boost that sometimes see them defy expectations, and watching Equatorial Guinea dispatch a technically superior Gabonese side with a screaming stadium at their back certainly lends credence to that claim.

The final round of games in Group A was finely poised, with all four sides in with a chance of qualification. Gabon challenged the hosts, whilst Congo looked to seal their spot with a win over Burkina Faso.

Equatorial Guinea picked up a 2-0 win in a memorable encounter in front of a packed home crowd, whilst Claude Le Roy’s Congo dispatched Burkina Faso by 2-1.

Gabon was the better side for a long while in their game, but an inspired performance by Felipe Ovono in posts for the hosts kept the game level well past half time.

The first half began at a furious pace, either side proving good on the ball with lighting quick build up play. Gabon had the better opportunities, captain Aubameyang coming closest with a powerful header that was turned away by the hosts’ number one.

Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Gyan Subdues The Desert Foxes; Senegal Holds South Africa

01/23/2015 9:46 pm

by GC Staff Tisha

There are few things sweeter in football than the last minute winner; any amateur fan of the game can tell you that. Ghana’s Black Stars embodied that in their win over Algeria earlier today, skipper Asamoah Gyan clinching the tie right at the death.

The Al-Ain forward missed the first game through illness, and the absence of his goals saw the team succumb to a 2-1 loss to Senegal. His return to today’s encounter therefore was heavily anticipated and despite an average, bordering on mediocre performance; the skipper pulled the rabbit out of the hat at the final moment to prove his mettle as this side’s top magician.

In the second group C game, Senegal cemented their place at the top of the group, holding South Africa to a 1-1 draw.

The Black Stars badly needed a win after losing their first game of the tournament, and Coach Grant rang the changes more in terms of tactics than personnel. The 3-4-3 was ditched for the more conventional 4-2-3-1, skipper Gyan the lone forward spearheading the attack.

Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Tunisia Beats Wasteful Zambia, Cape Verde Holds DR Congo

01/23/2015 12:07 am

by GC Staff Sw

Group B favourites Tunisia took a giant step towards qualifying for the next round with a dramatic late win over a wasteful Zambian side. In the other game, a tournament chock full of draws witnessed another one as Cape Verde and the DRC played out a dour 0-0 stalemate.

Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, champions in 2004, had the task of taking on Zambia’s Chipolopolo, champions just three years ago. Both sides drew in their first game, thus needing a win badly to place themselves in pole position for qualification.

And it was Tunisia who earned all three points, despite a classy Zambian display that failed to yield the needed results. Profligacy in front if goal meaning they failed to pick up the win and slumped to a disappointing defeat.

A slightly balanced first 45 was edged by the Zambians, showing finesse on the ball and creating numerous opportunities.

Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Favourites Cameroon And Cote D’Ivoire Held in Group D Stalemates

01/20/2015 11:03 pm

by GC Staff Ob

The final day of first round games came to an end in the African Cup of Nations today as the favourites in Group D found themselves both on the wrong end of 1-1 draws.

The Black Stars had been humbled 2-1 by Senegal, whilst in the other Group C game Algeria beat South Africa 3-1; but for the rest of the continent the tournament continued unabated.

Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon had both been set up as early favourites for qualification from Group D, but minnows Guinea and Mali both had other ideas. In the end, both giants had to fight from a goal down to secure disappointing 1-1 draws.

This tournament has had an unhealthy attachment to 1-1 draws, and Group D’s first game never looked like going that route. Both sides started brightly, the Ivoirians with their incredible array of talents including Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, new teammate Wilfried Bony, and A.S Roma’s Gervinho controlling play.

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