Nigeria Survives, But What Was Mali Thinking??

Nigeria survives to live another day, although it may be a short-lived experience.

With their 2-0 drubbing of Benin and Mali's inexcusable 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast (more on that later), Nigeria's Super Eagles scraped into the quarterfinals, where they'll meet hosts Ghana.

Nigerian midfielder Jon Obi Mikel, who plays for Chelsea said the team should savor today's victory some before thinking of their mega-encounter with Ghana's Black Stars.

"We are now all very happy and we want to enjoy the moment. Then we will have a good night and we'll think about this quarter-final clash against Ghana first thing in the morning."

Miracle? Some might say.

"We asked for something of a miracle and it happened," said forward Osaze Odemwingie, who is suspended for Sunday's match.

"We showed great mental strength. Rule us out at your own risk."

The victory for Nigeria sparked scenes of celebrations in the Super Eagles camp as the west African nation avoided elimination at the group stage for the first time since 1982.

Their goals today, scored by Mikel and striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, were their first in the tournament.

I don't know about you, but their offense looks mighty anemic. They're going to have a very tough time with the host nation.

Bu what's up with Mali? They seem to have succumbed to the pressure and caved at the worst possible moment.

What was with their strange substitution at half-time of striker Frederic Kanoute for holding midfielder Momo Sissoko? They obviously weren't thinking Nigeria would score. Or were they settling for a draw (which would have sent them through), thinking if they didn't concede any goals, that would be good enough? Poor management, in my opinion. Mali's FA will have to re-think the job of coach Jean-Francois Jodar, who coached tentatively against a weak Ivory Coast side. The Elephants had already qualified for the quarters and were resting many players.

"We are extremely disappointed," said Jodar. "My team did not play at all in the first half and with a lot of attackers in the second half we still failed to find the goal."

Ivory Coast face Guinea in their quarter-final while Nigeria travel to Accra to face the hosts, who have a 100 percent record in the tournament.

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy told a news conference that he expected to be sacked if his side did not win the trophy.
"If we are not champions, I'm sure a new coach will come in my place," he said. "I understand my deal and that is to win the cup."

Tuesday's goals took the tournament's tally to 63 in 20 games but South Africa goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs was not impressed, saying the ball was at fault.

"It makes goalkeepers look like idiots," he said. "It isn't that the guys have been scoring good goals, it's the ball which has been making the guys look good."

Oh, come now ... enough with the excuses.

It's been an exciting tournament so far. What do the rest of the matches this week have to offer? Stay tuned ...

Namibia Also Asked to Throw Cup Match

Looks like Benin isn't the only squad being asked to throw a match.

Today, word that Namibia were approached to fix a match at the Cup of Nations, having been offered $30,000 per player to throw their final group game against Guinea in Sekondi on Monday.

"My players were approached by a man saying he represented a syndicate and offered them money to lose the game," Namibia Football Association president John Muinjo told Reuters in Accra on Saturday.

It follows a similar approach to Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch before the start of the tournament by an unidentified man, purporting to represent betting interests.

"The players came to me immediately to tell me and we've informed the Confederation of African Football of what has happened," said Muinjo.

"The players were offered up to $30,000 to lose the game. They were offered half in advance but told they had to be able during the game to manipulate the score on the instructions of the syndicate."

Pretty disgusting, if you ask me. At least the players didn't take the offer, instead relaying the news to their coach.

"I'm very proud that my players came to see me straight away. I warned them about the impact accepting these sorts of offers could have on their careers. They are a team who believe in fair play."

Namibia have lost their opening two games at the Nations Cup and have only a slim mathematical chance of reaching the quarter-finals. An investigation is pending.

What Happened? Nigeria On Brink of Elimination

Nigeria are in serious trouble.

The Super Eagles' African Cup of Nations hopes suffered another blow on Friday after a 0-0 draw with Mali left them floundering in their opening round group.

Nigeria are third in Group B with just a single point, three behind second placed Mali.

The draw sent Ivory Coast, who have six points, into the quarter-finals as the first team to qualify.

Nigeria, despite their star-studded attack, failed for a second straight game to score.

This begs the question: What happened to the Super Eagles?

Is it the coaching of Berti Vogts?
Is the talent pool just not deep enough?
Are the players simply not motivated?
Has the talent of other countries simply caught up to that of Nigeria?

Coming into African football as an outsider, I'd like to know. For years, Nigeria have been seen as the gold standard of the continent's footballing fortunes. But now, they're staggering like a punch-drunk boxer. They can't score, they don't play a free-flowing game and they look lethargic. What happened?

"I know it's not enough to have just one point from two games," said Nigeria's beleaguered coach Berti Vogts.

"We now have only one hope and that is the Ivory Coast and God. But to win we have to score. Our players tried but our final passing was poor. To win you have to score but it was a big problem today and in the last match," he added.

Nigeria's potential progress to the last eight will be out of their hands when Group B is concluded next Tuesday.

The Super Eagles must beat Benin while hope that the Ivorians overcome Mali at the same time. Mali need just a draw to ensure Nigeria depart home early despite having made it to the last four at each of the last four editions of the tournament.

I think it would be a big surprise if Nigeria went home early. The mystery continues ...

Benin Coach Alleges Match Fixing Approach

Every tournament needs a little scandal. The African Cup of Nations has its first one. And it's not a good one.

Today, Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch said he'd been approached to fix his side's opening match against Mali.

"I was approached by someone in a hotel who said his name was Mr Andrews. He said he worked for people in Asia who were ready to pay $20,000 if I could manipulate the result of a match," Fabisch was quoted as saying by German media on Thursday.

"I told him if he didn't clear out immediately I'd call the police."

Benin lost the Group B match 1-0 after conceding a second-half penalty.

Fabisch is willing to give the Confederation of African Football the name and number of the man who claimed to be from a Singapore-based company. He's been given a 24-hour deadline to confirm his allegations about match-fixing.

BBC World Service's Richard Fleming said the news of the alleged incident could have major consequences for the tournament.

"There's more to this story than meets the eye," said Fleming.

"Fabisch is prepared to take this information to the authorities, who must surely act. If these allegations have any foundations at all then it's going to cast a huge cloud over the tournament."

The relative lack of money in African football made the tournament particularly susceptible to the problem, according to Fabisch.

"I was astonished that he had the guts to approach a German to fix a football match," he said.

"I think that African players are vulnerable to this kind of approach, because many of them don't have money. This is why poor countries like Benin are targeted."

"I cut him short and told him to leave. It doesn't help football. I assume that if someone approaches you like that, then they have that (money) in mind."

Benin next play Ivory Coast in Sekondi on Friday.

Cameroon Crushed, Zambia Rolls and Links

Day 3 of the African Cup of Nations didn't disappoint.

First off, defending champions Egypt routed pre-tournament favorites Cameroon 4-2. Striker Mohamed Zidan scored a double and Hosni Abd Rabou also struck twice for the five-times African champions with Samuel Eto'o netting Cameroon's two at the Baba Yara stadium.

Here, highlights from the match ...

Egypte cameroun resume
Uploaded by _drari_

In today's other match, Zambia profited from James Chamaga's early goal to score a resounding 3-0 win over Sudan in their opening Group C match on Tuesday.

Fellow forwards Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo added goals in the second half at Kumasi's Baba Yara stadium to put Zambia top of the group with Egypt after the defending champions' 4-2 win over Cameroon in the earlier match.

Chamanga, put into the starting line-up in place of suspended captain Chris Katongo, took just one minute and 45 seconds to fire Zambia ahead.

No highlights just yet ...

But here, I do have highlights of yesterday's 1-0 victory by Mali over Benin.
Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored a penalty 49 minutes in after Dramane Traore had been fouled by Alain Gaspoz.

Mali-Benin
Uploaded by Footn

Now, on to some links ...

- First off, the link I posted in the last blog entry worked just fine for the Egypt-Cameroon match and failed to work for the Sudan-Zambia match.
No idea what is up there ... just keep trying, I suppose!

- Sports Illustrated writer Greg Lalas is onsite in Ghana and posted this interesting article after the first match ... good stuff, Mr. Lalas!

- The New York Times sent Brian Furtig, a law student at William & Mary School of Law and a Chelsea FC season ticket holder to Ghana. Here's his updates on the NY Times' Goal Blog. Speaking of which, the aforementioned Greg Lalas is also updating the terrific Goal Blog. Check them out. Fascinating insights.

- Regular commentator Chxta posted this on his excellent Chxta's World blog regarding his native Nigeria's match against the Ivory Coast.

Here, a small excerpt. Back with more later!

I now officially hate Jose Mourinho, and if the bastard is assassinated tomorrow, come and look for me. The attacking instincts that John Mikel Obi once possessed have been well and truly drilled away, and what is left is a Frank Lampard imitation. Mikel is still a good player, but he isn't mature enough to boss a midfield on his own, and it showed when Kanu was removed. Had Mikel been more mature, or more attack minded on another hand, the outcome may well have been different. Olofinjana tried his best, but he was out of his depth, and well, we've talked about Kanu before.

Cup of Nations is Around the Corner

The venues are being scrubbed clean, the tickets are printed and the cities are bubbling with anticipation.

The African Cup of Nations is but a mere 2 weeks and 2 days away from taking over the minds and hearts of football fans around the globe.

Cup finalists begin their pre-tournament preparations in earnest this weekend, led by defending champions Egypt who host Namibia in a friendly.

Saturday's match in Aswan is the first of three warm-up matches for the Pharaohs, still sweating on the availability of star striker Mido.

The Middlesbrough forward has a knee injury and is unsure of his fitness for the tournament, which starts January 20.

Namibia play their first match under Dutch coach Arie Schans, who has had less than a month to work with the team. His predecessor, the Zambian Ben Bamchuile died at the end of last month, casting a shadow over Namibia's preparations.

All but two of the 16 finalists will play warm-up internationals over the next three weeks before the tournament kick off.

Cameroon had planned a match against Kenya in Nairobi but the post-election violence in the east African country have seen the Indomitable Lions switch their preparations to Burkina Faso. To date, they have no matches planned and will not have played an international since their last qualifier in September.

Guinea play no warm-up internationals but will get match practice against club opposition in Marbella, Spain, where they will begin preparations next week. Among their planned opponents are Fiorentina and Borussia Dortmund. Heady competition, no?

Nigeria and Sudan are training in Malaga while Benin have gone to Brazil for a 10-day camp before heading to Burkina Faso for a warm-up match against Senegal on Jan. 17.

Angola have been in Portugal since before Christmas for their preparations.
Tunisia host Zambia at Rades on Sunday before a flurry of fixtures next week, which sees matches in Abu Dhabi, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and South Africa.

Under FIFA rules for continental championships, clubs must release their players for preparations a full two weeks before the start of the tournament, setting Sunday as the deadline for squad members to join up.

But there are likely to be some exceptions, notably Ghana's Michael Essien who officials said would likely be allowed to play for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur on Jan.14. Also, Samuel Eto'o will stay with Barcelona until mid-week next week, playing in a Kings Cup match before meeting up with his Cameroon teammates.

It's almost here, people. I'm excited!!

Last Licks on Road to Ghana 2008

This is it!

We wind down qualification for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana this weekend with the final games in Groups Two and Nine.

Reigning champions Egypt are favorites for one of the places, as they need only to avoid defeat at home to Botswana on Saturday.

Egypt will be without injured duo Mido and Mohamed Barakat for the match against Botswana but have Hamburg striker Mohamed Zidan back after he missed their last match in Burundi.

A shock win for Botswana could put them through to their first Nations Cup finals appearance but only if Burundi fail to win in Mauritania in the other Group Two match in Nouakchott on Saturday.

Wins for Burundi and Botswana would see the two teams finish top of the group tied on 10 points each and equal on head-to-head record meaning that goal difference will come into play. Could get very interesting indeed.

Over to Group Nine, where there's a three-way race for the qualifying berth. Just a point separates Mali, Togo and Benin.

All three can win top place and qualify. Benin could finish second and still go through to the finals as one of the best runners-up.

Mali and Togo are both on nine points, although Mali will finish above Togo on a head-to-head count if there is a draw in Friday's match between the two in Lome.

But a draw in that game could allow unheralded Benin to come from behind and win the group.

Benin, with eight points, are away to Sierra Leone and a win for the Squirrels (gotta love that nickname) on Friday will guarantee their place in the finals.

The Squirrels warmed up for and promoted their qualifier with a 2-2 draw in a 30 minute game against a team of ministers and officials on Tuesday.

Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi scored a final-minute penalty for his team of ministers and officials to force the draw. (I wonder if the referee was paid off to give him the penalty ...)

"It is to bring about the presence of my country in Ghana 2008 that I scored that goal," Yayi said after stroking home the penalty.

Togo are expected to have Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor back for his first run in the team since March.

Adebayor is still saying he's owed bonus payments after Togo's qualification for last year's World Cup finals. He boycotted recent matches.

But Adebayor told officials he would make himself available for the game.

His return has prompted Mali coach Jean Francois Jodar to say, "We should not fear Adebayor because if we tremble because of him then what will happen if we face the likes of (Didier) Drogba, (Samuel) Eto'o and others in the Nations Cup finals."

Mali are at full strength for the match with Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute leading their attack.

One team not in action this weekend but who will have a very close eye on the action in Group Nine will be Uganda, who are still hopeful of qualifying as one of the best runners-up if results go their way.

It's going to be an exciting finish to the qualifiers. Make sure to catch them if you can!

And on we go to Ghana 2008 ...

African Rankings and a Note About Antonio Puerta

We here at 2010 haven't looked at the FIFA world rankings in some time now. They're released every month, so let's take a peek and see where our friends in Africa rank with the world powers.

The Top Five of the August 2007 ranking are a Who's Who of world footballing giants, with Brazil ranked #1, followed by Argentina, 2006 winners Italy, 2006 finalists France and 2006 hosts Germany. Their positions are the same as the previous month.

The first African nation appears at #16 and Cameroon, who fell one place from 15th. Their spot is now occupied by Euro 2004 winners Greece.

Namibia were the month's biggest climbers, moving 12 places from 44th to 32nd. Burkina Faso also jumped higher, moving seven places and into the top 20 at 18.

Benin, who were the highest jumpers in July, moving up 18 places to 85th, continued to climb and moved another 6 places up to 79.

Ghana slipped some, dropping from 37th to 43rd, adding to their 18-place fall in July. They are now the 8th-best team on the continent, behind Nigeria, Tunisia and Egypt.

For the complete list, please
click here!

Here's the complete list of African teams, with their world rankings in brackets:

1. Cameroon (16)
2. Nigeria (26)
3. Ivory Coast (28)
4. Morocco (34)
5. Tunisia (36)
6. Egypt (40)
7. Guinea(42)
8. Ghana (43)
9. Senegal (46)
10. Mali (48)
11. Angola (59)
12. Togo (60)
13. South Africa (61)
14. Zambia (62)
15. Cape Verde Islands (72)
16. Algeria (73)
17. DR Congo (75)
18. Burkina Faso (77)
19. Benin (79)
20. Mozambique (86)
21. Libya (87)
22. Ethiopia (92)
23. Botswana (96)
24. Uganda (98)
25. Congo (100)
26. Zimbabwe (101)
27. Tanzania (102)
28. Equatorial Guinea (105)
29. Gabon (107)
30. Malawi (111)
31. Burundi (113)
32. Namibia (114)
33. Sudan (117)
34. Liberia (120)
35. Rwanda (121)
36. Eritrea (121)
37. Gambia (128)
38. Kenya (132)
39. Mauritania (136)
40. Chad (139)
41. Lesotho (143)
42. Mauritius (144)
43. Niger (146)
44. Swaziland (147)
45. Seychelles (147)
46. Madagascar (163)
47. Sierra Leone (164)
48. Comoros (182)
49. Central African Republic (185)
50. Guinea-Bissau (188)
51. Somalia (192)
52. Djibouti (199)
53. Sao Tome e Principe (199)

** We at 2010 send our condolences to the family of Sevilla's Antonio Puerta.
Puerta, a midfielder for the two-time UEFA Cup winners, died of a heart attack at the tender age of 22 after collapsing on the field during Saturday's La Liga contest against Getafe.

Seeing Puerta struggling for air, his teammates trying to stop him from swallowing his tongue and then seeing him walk to the dressing room seemed surreal. But it looked like it was an isolated episode and he'd be ok.

Then word leaked that he wasn't ok, that he was fighting for his life in a Sevilla hospital, collapsing upon arrival to the dressing room and suffering another cardiac arrest.

This morning, Puerta lost his fight. 22 years old, a wonderful talent, a comfortable living and a pregnant girlfriend. And now, he's gone.

It's so sad to think about. Football brings us so much pleasure. But it can bring so much pain. The heart beating inside Puerta's body couldn't take the constant punishment of the game and ceased to work. He collapsed and the last shot we'll have of the young Spaniard will be him lying on the ground, trying to breathe.

I shrug my shoulders and sigh a deep sigh. For all my troubles, for all the pain I may be enduring or may have caused, at least I'm still here.

I wish you well, Antonio Puerta. Vaya con Dios ...