Nigeria sack Amodu, draw up Hiddink-led shortlist

February 6, 2010

Nigeria football bosses on Friday announced the sacking of coach Shuaibu Amodu, publishing a short-list of coaches they hope will lead the ‘Super Eagles’ through the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Amodu had been under pressure even before Nigeria’s third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, which ended with Egypt’s third consecutive victory last week.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s short-list is topped by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, Frenchman Bruno Metsu, former Ratomir Djukovic and former England caretaker coach Peter Taylor.

Hiddink is currently the coach of Russia, Metsu led Senegal to the 2002 World Cup and Djukovic guided Ghana to the 2006 World Cup.

According to an official statement after the marathon meeting, the NFF technical committee headed by Taiwo Ogunjobi will recommend one of three of these coaches for immediate employment before the end of this month.

The federal government of Nigeria will pay the new foreign coach, according to officials.

Amodu and his assistants will now train Nigeria’s second team for the 2011 Championship of African Nations (CHAN), meant for African players featuring in their respective domestic leagues.

In November, Amodu qualified the Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa in June.

However, the performance of the team under Amodu, who also qualified the team to the 2002 World Cup, was widely criticised by the press and the public.

LAGOS (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, african nations, Bayern, Bruno Metsu, caretaker coach, Chan, coach peter, consecutive victory, dutchman guus hiddink, eagles, Egypt, England, federal government of nigeria, football federation, frenchman, ghana, government of nigeria, LAGOS, louis van gaal, marathon, nigeria, nigeria football, peter taylor, russia, Senegal, shortlist, South Africa, Taiwo Ogunjobi, technical committee, World Cup

Egypt celebrate while Ivory Coast ponder the future

February 1, 2010

Egypt chalked up their seventh Africa Cup of Nations triumph here just as the ‘Golden Generation’ of the Ivory Coast again departed the continent’s biggest football stage empty-handed.

The Pharaohs 1-0 win over a youthful Ghana in Sunday’s final made it the 19th match they have gone unbeaten since 2004. It was also their third successive continental title.

Just as it was two years ago in Ghana, the Elephants from the Ivory Coast were again the popular choice to win their second Nations Cup crown, with such stars as Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure in their lineup.

But not many reckoned that a suspect defence would cave in almost too easily against Algeria in the knockout stage of Angola 2010.

After a rather indifferent start, the Desert Foxes of Algeria would now have assured many they will not be making up the numbers at the World Cup in South Africa even after a 4-0 thrashing by fierce rivals Egypt. Egyptians dance in streets for African Cup football triumph

“People did not expect us to be in the semi-finals. We have not reached this stage for a very long time,” said Glasgow Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra.

“We’re a young team who have made a lot of progress.”

Skipper Yazid Mansouri added: “We will move ahead and learn from the mistakes we made at this tournament.

“We have to work very hard to get ready for the World Cup especially in the midfield and attack.

“The Nations Cup has afforded us a chance to know where we have to improve.”

Hosts Angola showed a lot of promise two years ago in Ghana reaching the last eight for the first time.

Cheered on by their noisy home fans in Luanda, the Palancas Negras bounced back from an opening day 4-4 draw with Mali in one of the most unforgettable matches of Angola 2010 to again equal their quarter-final finish in the previous tournament.

Most probably their run was cut short by their over dependence for goals on striker Flavio, who battled on despite suffering an injury.

He netted a brace against Mali and was also on target against shock troopers Malawi, who caused one of the biggest upsets by putting three unreplied goals past Algeria.

Part of the magic of this Nations Cup evaporated following the exit of the home team, but before then, it was football fever at its best across this oil-rich country of about 15 million people with long-serving President Eduardo do Santos at all their four games.

Gabon, who will co-host the next tournament with neighbours Equatorial Guinea, promised a lot only to capitulate on the final hurdle in their final Group D match against Zambia and thus miss out on a place in the quarterfinal. The price of this disappointment is that French coach, Alain Giresse, who has been with the Azingo since 2006, will most likely not have his contract renewed when it runs out later this month.

Giresse would be just the latest coach to lose his job following failure at the Cup of Nations.

Already Mali have fired their Nigerian-born coach, Stephen Keshi, and Nigeria, who again failed to live up to their huge potential, will decide this week to do away with coach Shuaibu Amodu.

This would be the second time Amodu will miss out on leading his country to a World Cup after qualifying the team.

He was also sacked when his team stumbled in the semi-final of the Nations Cup eight years ago and his place on the bench at the 2002 World Cup was taken by compatriot Adeboye Onigbinde.

There has been a public uproar back in Nigeria against the performance of the Eagles in Angola with an entire nation apprehensive of how such a team would fare at the World Cup in June against first round foes Argentina, Greece and South Korea.

Skipper Joseph Yobo has blamed Nigeria’s underachievement on a lack of continuity in the team.

“We often have different players in and out of the team when we need enough time to train and play together, if we are ever to reach great heights,” he argued.

There are now strong indications that his replacement would be the young Frenchman, Herve Renard, who guided Zambia to the quarterfinals for the first time in 14 years.

“I know what I want, I’m very ambitious and I’m not scared to say so. I said even before this tournament, that I wish to be coach of a very top team one day. I’m young but I’m not scared about anything,” said the 41-year-old Renard, whose contract with Zambia ends in May.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african cup football, algeria, Angola, continental title, desert foxes, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, football triumph, ghana, glasgow rangers, herve renard, home fans, Ivory Coast, knockout stage, Luanda, nations cup, nigeria, palancas negras, pharaohs, ready for the world, Renard, rivals, Santos, semi finals, South Africa, Stephen Keshi, target, Toure, yaya, Zambia

Champions Egypt, youthful Ghana clash in Cup climax

January 31, 2010

Defending champions Egypt have steamrollered their way into Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final where they must now overcome a youthful Ghana side to claim a third consecutive continental crown.

Beset by injuries Ghana have excelled themselves, the eight youngsters from the Under-20 World Cup winning side belying their inexperience to manfully step into the shoes of the likes of injury-hit stars Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, John Pantsil and John Mensah.

Ghana started out with an opening loss to Ivory Coast, but then rattled off wins against Burkina Faso, Angola and Nigeria to make it to their first final in 18 years.

Egypt for their part have have looked invincible, brushing aside Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Cameroon and old foes Algeria to set themselves up for a third straight title and seventh in all.

The smart money must be with Hassan Shehata’s Pharaohs pulling off an amazing treble to offer them handsome compensation for missing out on the World Cup.

But Ghana won’t prove easy pickings, as they have shown scant regard for reputation here in Angola, witness the way they dug deep and defended after Asamoah Gyan’s decisive first half goal in the semi-final against Nigeria.

For Gyan, 2010 has proved a far more enjoyable experience than the 2008 edition on home turf.

In Ghana the in-form Rennes striker was psychologically and mentally knocked for six by the attacks directed by fans and media who slated him for his lack of form.

“I felt bad two years ago in Ghana,” he said. “But I’m a strong man – mentally strong – and as a strong man I have to keep on going.

“I believe in my qualities – I’m scoring for my club – I’m also scoring for my country – I know they are happy back home.

“I’m not angry, I’m confident because I’m scoring goals – that’s what everyone is expecting of me.”

Egypt have scored 14 goals to two conceded in their path to Sunday’s climax, but Ghana coach Milovan Rajevic was unperturbed by the free-scoring opposition lying in wait.

“People are saying we need to score at least two goals against Egypt to win, but I say we only need to score half a goal more than them to win the title.

“Egypt are a very polished team. They have been playing together for a long time and their coach has also been there a long time.

“We played a friendly against them in Cairo last year and so we know them well, but we’ll prepare our team to achieve a result.”

The Serb added: “In the quarter-finals Angola, playing at home and with all their experience, were favourites. Nigeria were favourites, now Egypt are favourites. They’ve won the last two titles, but we’re not thinking about that.

“What’s more important, playing beautiful football or the result?”

Ghana are hopeful inspirational skipper and goalkeeper Richard Kingson will have recovered from a groin problem to face Egypt – the Wigan stopper was receiving treatment in a Luanda hospital on Friday.

Egypt turn up at the 11 November stadium their confidence sky high after Thursday’s 4-0 semi-final wipe out of eight-man Algeria.

Star player Mohamed Zidan, said: “We were one million times better than Algeria. We haven’t won five games here in this competition to lose the final.”

Captain Ahmed Hassan, in his 171st international, warned Ghana to expect more of the same silky smooth football from the kings of Africa.

“Against Ghana we will continue to play as we have started. We don’t care how they play, we are here to defend our title, and we’ll do everything to succeed.

“Our 4-0 win over Algeria has proved we are the best team in Africa, without argument.”

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, algeria, Angola, asamoah gyan, Benin, burkina faso, Cairo, cameroon, captain Ahmed Hassan, Egypt, enjoyable experience, ghana, hassan shehata, home turf, Ivory Coast, john mensah, john pantsil, Luanda, lying in wait, Michael Essien, Mozambique, nigeria, old foes, Rennes, richard kingson, scant regard, smart money, stephen appiah, straight title, strong man, winning side

Quick report: Nigeria 1-0 Algeria

January 30, 2010

Nigeria finished third at the 2010 African Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over Algeria on Saturday.

The Nigerians, who lost their semi final encounter with Ghana, faced a rather different Algerian team that had to replace no less than three suspended players and left several others benched.

Nigeria also left some of their key players on the bench, although manager Amodu allowed some of his starts to come on in the second half.

The only goal of the match was scored after 56 minutes. Poor defending from Algeria allowed Victor Nsofor to collect the ball near the edge of the penalty area, after which he blasted it past keeper Zemmamouche for 1-0.

The final, which is to be played on Sunday, has Ghana challenge defending champions Egypt.

Tags: african cup of nations, algeria, bench, Egypt, final encounter, ghana, match, nigeria, nigerians, second half, Victor Nsofor

Egypt´s Motaeb doubtful for Nations Cup final

January 30, 2010

Egypt striker Emad Motaeb is likely to miss the final of the Africa Cup of Nations against Ghana on Sunday due to a hamstring strain, team officials said.

“He picked up a hamstring injury and he’s likely to miss the final,” said Egypt assistant coach, Hamada Sedki.

“There is not enough time between the semi-finals and the final, so his chances to be fit for the game are slim.”

The Al Ahly star suffered the injury in Egypt’s 4-0 trouncing of fierce rivals Algeria in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Motaeb, who is reported to have interested English Premier League side Portsmouth after scoring twice thus far in Angola, was forced to give way to Hossam Ghaly in the second half.

His place could well be taken by ENPPI striker Ahmed Raouf as tournament top scorer with four goals, Mohamed ‘Gedo’ Nagy has been used as a substitute. Six-time African champions Egypt are on course to win a third successive Nations Cup title when they tackle Ghana on Sunday in Luanda’s November 11 Stadium.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african champions, Ahmed Raouf, algeria, Angola, assistant coach, Egypt, English Premier League, gedo, ghaly, ghana, hamada, Luanda, mohamed, nations cup, november 11, Portsmouth, semi finals, team officials, top scorer

Nigeria defender Mohammed operated in South Africa

January 30, 2010

Nigeria defender Yusuf Mohammed underwent surgery at a Johannesburg clinic in South Africa on Saturday, according to an official statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The operation on the defender’s ruptured Achilles tendon took place at the Rose Bank Clinic in Johannesburg.

Nigeria team physiotherapist, Ekundayo Ogunkunle, who accompanied the player on the trip to South Africa from the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, said the operation had been successful.

“The player is already wearing boots and they will manage him for three weeks or so before we come around to take him back to Nigeria,” he added.

The Nigeria Football Federation arranged for the 26-year-old Mohammed to be flown to South Africa after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the second half of the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Ghana on Thursday.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: achilles tendon, africa cup of nations, Angola, benguela, boots, football federation, ghana, johannesburg, mohammed, nigeria, nigeria football, nigeria team, Rose, second half, South Africa, team physiotherapist, Yusuf Mohammed

World Cup finalists to battle for bronze in Benguela

January 30, 2010

World Cup-bound Nigeria and Algeria will have to dig deep to motivate themselves for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations losers’ final.

Nigeria were stopped from reaching the final proper by a youthful Ghana team courtesy of a first-half winner from Asamoah Gyan after the Super Eagles failed to convert a hatful of chances in their semi-final in Luanda on Thursday.

Algeria, on the other hand, held out against their bitter rivals Egypt until just before half time in Benguela when they went behind through a penalty and also lost a defender.

Then in the second half they capitulated to let in three more goals and get two other players sent off.

This is the second time that Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has failed to reach the Nations Cup final after his team also lost to Senegal in 2002.

Amodu may have met the semi-final target set for him in Angola by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but the signs are ominous that, as in 2002, he may not be the man in charge when the Eagles feature at the World Cup in South Africa in June.

Osaze Odemwingie, captain on the day against Ghana, did not help the coach’s situation when he questioned the team’s tactics after the loss to perennial rivals Ghana.

He also said it would be difficult for the team to motivate themselves in the third-place playoff against Algeria at the weekend.

“It will be difficult. We will have to travel again for the last game and have only one day to train. We will be tired. Maybe those who have not had a chance will play,” said the Lokomotiv Moscow striker.

The Eagles will have their top players available with Everton defender Joseph Yobo pressing for a starting line-up place after he claimed he has had a “miracle” healing on a hamstring injury that had earlier ruled him of the competition.

Defender Yusuf Mohammed however is out with ruptured Achilles tendon. His injury occurred during Nigeria’s semi-final defeat against Ghana and he could be out of action for a year, according to doctors.

The Desert Foxes of Algeria will be without at least three top stars – goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and defenders Rafik Halliche and Nadir Belhadj – after they all saw red against Egypt in Thursday’s semi-final.

“It will be a very difficult task for us against Nigeria because we will be without several of our players,” admitted coach Rabah Saadane.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra insisted Algeria will take a lot of positives from their experience in Angola despite going down to fierce rivals Egypt.

“We’re a young team, who have continued to make progress. People did not expect us to get to the semi-final,” said Bougherra, who again questioned the penalty kick awarded against his team by Benin referee Koffi Codjia.

Nigeria and Algeria last clashed at full international level in 2005 with the west Africans running away 5-2 winners in Algiers in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: achilles tendon, Africa, algiers, Angola, benguela, Benin, bitter rivals, Egypt, ghana, gyan, joseph yobo, last game, lokomotiv moscow, losers, Luanda, miracle healing, Moscow, nff, nigeria, nigeria football, osaze odemwingie, ruptured achilles tendon, Senegal, South Africa, starting line, striker, west africans, World Cup, Yusuf Mohammed

Ghana sweat on skipper Kingson

January 29, 2010

Africa Cup of Nations finalists Ghana, beset by a bagful of injuries to star players, suffered a fresh setback on Friday involving inspirational captain Richard Kingson.

The Ghana and Wigan goalkeeper is one of only a handful of experienced players available to the Black Stars, who face champions Egypt in Sunday’s final.

But Kingson, who pulled off a series of match-winning saves in the 1-0 semi-final win over Nigeria, had to be taken to hospital in Luanda on Friday to undergo tests on a groin problem.

He picked up the injury in last Sunday’s 1-0 quarter-final win over hosts Angola, and was clearly not 100 percent against Nigeria, restricting his kicking to his left foot.

“I wasn’t entirely fit but I promised the boys I would do anything for them, I sacrificed myself for the guys to help them reach the final,” he said after Thursday’s historic win in the west African derby, which has put Ghana into its first Africa Cup of Nations final for 18 years.

Coach Milovan Rajevic, already missing most of his regular first XI, told AFP at the team’s hotel in downtown Luanda: “Richard has had to skip a couple of training sessions because of the injury. And as you saw he was feeling it yesterday, using only his left foot.

“He is in hospital today to have tests and treatment, but I’m hopeful he will be able to play on Sunday.

“He really wanted to play against Nigeria, he wanted to help them with his experience.”

Despite his fine performance in the quarter-finals there was a sting in the tail for the Ghana captain, who was booked in injury time.

Another yellow card in the final will see him miss Ghana’s World Cup first round opening game against Serbia in Pretoria, South Africa on June 13.

He is one of a rare breed of experienced players left in the squad following the defection due to injury of regular captain Stephen Appiah, Chelsea star Michael Essien, John Pantsil and John Mensah.

That has left the door open to Ghana’s youngsters, who have grabbed the chance to shine and state their case to be included in Rajevic’s World Cup squad.

As well as Rajevic’s home country, Ghana are drawn against Germany and Australia in Group D in South Africa.

One piece of good news for the underdogs in Sunday’s final is the return to fitness of Anthony Annan.

The midfielder, who plays his club football in Norway with Rosenborg, had to sit out Ghana’s first three games but started against Nigeria and will be even sharper for Egypt.

The champions, seeking their third straight title and seventh in total, arrive in Luanda later on Friday to prepare for what they hope will be yet another continental crown.

Victory will see coach Hassan Shehata become the first manager to win three consecutive championships.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: Angola, Anthony Annan, black stars, captain richard, captain Richard Kingson, captain stephen, captain Stephen Appiah, chelsea star, Egypt, Germany, ghana, groin problem, hospital today, injury time, inspirational captain, john mensah, john pantsil, Luanda, Michael Essien, miss ghana, nigeria, Norway, pretoria, pretoria south africa, richard kingson, South Africa, star players, stephen appiah, sting in the tail, west African, Wigan

Stern Shehata one win away from African record

January 29, 2010

Stern, silver-haired Egyptian Hassan Shehata is one victory away from becoming the first coach to win three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

His ‘Pharaohs’ face the ‘Black Stars’ of Ghana at the 50,000-seat November 11 Stadium Sunday in an unexpected climax to the 2010 Cup between countries hard hit by pre-competition injuries.

Media-shy Shehata, who usually leaves the talking to long-time assistant Shawky Gharib, says his squad will claim a record seventh African title provided luck wears a red shirt.

“We just need luck. We could have beaten Cameroon by a wider margin but were unlucky,” he said, recalling a 3-1 quarter-final victory over the ‘Indomitable Lions’ after extra time.

What the man who watches most games leaning against the side of the dugout forgot to mention was luck was very much on the side of Egypt in that showdown against one of the five African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

When a free kick from captain Ahmed Hassan struck the crossbar and came down it did not cross the goalline, but an assistant referee ruled it had and Egypt were two goals ahead and en route to the penultimate phase.

Shehata says teamwork and a lack of reliance on the many stars he can call up have been the recipes for success with his team unbeaten in 18 Nations Cup games spanning four tournaments.

“The top teams in Africa fear us because of our amazing teamwork. Much is made of those who miss tournaments because of injury, but we do not rely on individuals,” he stressed.

Egypt were hard hit before departing Cairo for Angola with superstar Mohamed Aboutraika, fellow midfielders Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Shawky and striker Amr Zaki ruled out by injury.

When the former national team striker replaced Italian Marco Tardelli six years ago in one of the ‘hottest’ African national team posts, few expected him to survive long.

Even when Egypt lifted the 2006 Nations Cup after a penalty shootout victory over Ivory Coast, there was no shortage of sceptics who claimed the feat was achieved largely because of home advantage and suspect refereeing.

But Shehata was a national hero in a country where football is an obsession and he stayed in charge for the title defence in Ghana, where Ivory Coast were hot favourites to succeed.

Written off as a tired, over-the-hill squad, Egypt launched their defence with a 4-2 thumping of Cameroon, crushed Ivory Coast 4-1 in the semi-finals and defeated Cameroon again in a tense final settled by a late Aboutraika goal.

Before Angola the media were once more critical of the defending champions, saying they were probably a spent force, full of ageing players in the twilight of their careers, and unable to conjour up the heroics of two years ago.

Try telling that to Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Cameroon or Algeria, the teams who had the misfortune to face the rampant Egyptians en route to the final.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, ahmed hassan, algeria, Angola, assistant referee, Benin, black stars of ghana, Cairo, cameroon, captain Ahmed Hassan, crossbar, cup games, Egypt, final victory, ghana, goalline, hassan shehata, indomitable lions, Ivory Coast, Luanda, Marco Tardelli, mohamed barakat, mohamed shawky, Mozambique, nations cup, nigeria, penalty shootout, sceptics, shootout victory, time assistant, Zaki

Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

January 29, 2010

Football may be the ‘beautiful game’, but Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is delighted to mastermind ‘ugly’ victories at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

After being outclassed 3-1 by 10-man Ivory Coast in their opening match, the ‘Black Stars’ have ground out 1-0 victories over Burkina Faso, hosts Angola and Nigeria to book a final date with Egypt here Sunday.

In each of the three victories, four-time African champions Ghana took a first-half lead and then erected a defensive blockade no opponent could dismantle.

And the west Africans are now one victory away from a first title since 1982 despite fielding a team that bears scant resemblance to that Rajevac could choose were all his forces available.

Injury ruled central defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah and midfielders Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston out before the biennial football showcase kicked off while Spanish club Getafe refused to release Derek Boateng.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, most talented, best known and popular of the ‘Black Stars’, managed just 45 minutes of action against the Ivorians before a knee injury at training brought his tournament to a abrupt end.

Rajevac also ignored Sulley Muntari when it came to choosing his 23-strong squad for Angola because the Inter Milan midfielder refused to apologise or pay a fine for missing a Luanda friendly last November.

Many coaches would have compiled a list of excuses and gone whining to the media, but Rajevac drafted in eight of the Ghana squad that won the 2009 world youth championship and got on with the job.

The latest in a long line of Serbs to steer African national teams is a perpetually anxious looking 54-year-old who succeeded Frenchman Claude le Roy in 2008 and guided the ‘Black Stars’ to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

An international unknown before taking over the ‘Black Stars’ reins, Rajevac has no time for football romanticism as he repeatedly confesses to an obsession with results.

“We came here (Angola) to compete and not to play entertaining football. The most important thing is the result and not how much possession we had during a particular game,” he told reporters.

“Every team must know how to defend because it is an essential element of modern football,” he explained after his team eliminated Nigeria and stretched to 270 the minutes without conceding a goal in Angola.

Le Roy, now coach of Gulf state Oman and a spectator here, took hosts Ghana to third place at the last Nations Cup and praised the progess of the team under Rajevac.

“I watched the first match against Ivory Coast and had reservations, but they are looking much better now. They are young, fight hard and retain possession,” he noted.

LUANDA (AFP)