Final Phase of African World Cup Qualifying Continues

Africa's road to the 2010 World Cup heats up this weekend with a full slate of action as countries compete for the 5 available spots in South Africa.

There are already some teams in trouble.

Like Cameroon and Morocco, who have collectively qualified for nine previous World Cup finals. Also in peril are reigning African champions Egypt and the unpredictable Guinea, both of whom were expected to feature among the serious contenders for the finals.

The first match day in March provided a host of surprises. With two more matches in quick succession this month, the picture could soon become a lot clearer.

Both Cameroon and Morocco were humbled in their opening group outings and now go head-to-head in Yaoundé on Sunday. Egypt, having dropped potentially vital points at home, seek to revive their campaign away against long-standing rivals Algeria.

Guinea hope to overturn a run of five successive defeats in head-to-head matches with Ivory Coast when they host a Group E tie in Cotonou, also on Sunday.

Of particular interest is the Group B clash between Kenya and Nigeria.

Nigeria's Super Eagles came under heavy criticism following their opening draw with Mozambique but their recent friendly win over France has restored morale.

Now they are at home against Kenya, whose own build-up has been disrupted by a pay dispute between their coach Antoine Hey and Football Kenya Ltd., which runs the game in the country.

The team left for Nigeria without him but he is now on his way.

Hey is planning to exploit the perceived differences within the Nigeria camp.

"I think they [Nigeria] are very much under pressure at home after the result in Mozambique," Hey said. "We will try and get a result that no-one is expecting," he told the BBC.

Here are the current African qualifying standings.

Over in Group D, Ghana were at the World Cup in Germany and the Black Stars gained a taste for the biggest stage.

They started this round of qualifying with a win but will be missing a series of high-profile players in their squad for a trip to Mali.

Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Laryea Kingston are all out of action.

Mali's coach Stephen Keshi will have high hopes of securing a valuable win as he goes into the game with a fully fit squad.

In the other match in this group, Benin host Sudan, who must turn themselves around after a heavy 4-0 defeat in a friendly international against Tunisia.

Benin are hopeful of continuing the good form they showed in the previous round, after their narrow defeat by Ghana.

Squirrels' midfielder Romauld Boco says the team are in good spirits.

"We have played a lot better in the last 5 years, [because] we are the same group of players and we know each other very well," he told the BBC.

"The game against Sudan is the most important game for us."

The top team in each group goes to the World Cup.

Here are all the matches scheduled for this weekend:
Saturday 6 June 

Zambia-Rwanda, Malawi-Burkina Faso, Gabon-Togo, Tunisia-Mozambique

Sunday 7 June

Cameroon-Morocco, Benin-Sudan, Nigeria-Kenya, Guinea-Cote d'Ivoire, Mali-Ghana, Algeria-Egypt

Ghana and Guinea Through; Senegal Coach Quits

A scintillating night of action saw African Cup of Nations host Ghana go through to the quarterfinals along with Guinea from Group A.

Ghana beat Morocco 2-0 while Guinea managed only a 1-1 draw against an overmatched Namibia.

Midfielder Michael Essien scored a goal and set up another as Ghana finished their group with maximum points from three games.

So who will they play next? Ghana, who will stay in Accra for their quarter-final on Sunday, will face the Group B runners-up -- most likely Mali although it could be arch-rivals Nigeria. Could be a wild one.

In front of a packed crowd in Accra, Sulley Muntari set up Essien for the opening goal in the 26th minute with a quickly taken free kick that found the midfielder in enough space to score from close range.

The favor was returned when Essien ran at the Morocco defence in the 45th minute and slipped a pass for Muntari to net his second of the tournament.

"We decided before (the match) we were going to attack and attack. We decided to make more room for Essien to take charge and to come forward," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said.

Morocco coach Henri Michel, who led Ivory Coast to the final of the last Cup in Egypt in 2006, said: "We now have to look ahead and build a new squad."

As for Guinea, they finished with four points, one ahead of Morocco, despite being held by Namibia, who took home their only point.

Robert Nouzaret's side opened the scoring through Souleymane Youla on 62 minutes only for Namibia to equalise 11 minutes from time courtesy of Brian Brendell's second goal of the tournament.

The only cheers in an almost empty stadium came from the volunteers and policemen celebrating Ghana's goals in Accra. Jeez, I would have LOVED tickets ...

Today also saw the first coaching change of the tournament, as Senegal trainer Henryk Kasperczak said goodbye after his team's shock 3-1 loss to Angola. The former Poland defender quit with one match to play in Group D and with his team still holding a mathematical chance of progressing.

"I'm the only one responsible for the results," he said. "There is still a small chance and I think the players will respond to the presence of a new coach."

Senegal have one point from two games and face South Africa on Thursday with assistant Lamine Ndaye taking charge. Tough times for Senegal, one of the pre-tournament favorites.

It's Here!! Ghana Wins Cup of Nations Opener

It's finally here! The 2008 African Cup of Nations opened this afternoon in Accra, Ghana with fanfare, celebration and a pulsating match between host Ghana and Guinea that ended with a Sulley Muntari wonder goal in the final minute giving Ghana the victory, 2-1.

The tournament opened with a colorful opening ceremony in the Ohene Djan stadium in Accra, Ghana's capital city. A capacity crowd of 40,000, most of whom were wearing the colors of the Ghana national squad, were treated to a bright, colorful display of traditional dancers from various parts of the country's regions.

In front of a number of VIPs, including Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufour, FIFA president Joseph Blatter, CAF president Issa Hayatou and UEFA president Michel Platini, hundreds of dancers and acrobats staged a spectacular show.

In the blazing sun and accompanied by the beating of several huge drums, artists danced and performed for the enthusiastic crowd, who were also treated to a brief firework display.

President Kufour then opened the tournament, saying that Ghana was proud to host the Cup of Nations.

"Through the magic of television, the whole world will be watching Ghana and the African continent for the next three weeks," he said.

"We are proud to be hosting the tournament and to have welcomed so many people from different countries. Our government has spent a lot of money to ensure that the facilities are good to ensure that this tournament is a success. The best teams are here and I am sure that the tournament will be a huge success."

Then the action started. And from all accounts, it was a pulsating affair. (I *STLL* haven't found a place or internet site to watch the matches ... but behold the power of the Internet ... below are the highlights ... )

Ghana - Guinée 2-1 Can 2008 Foot
Uploaded by Shad_2007

Ghana hit the woodwork three times, took the lead 10 minutes into the second half but in then end had to rely on a 25-meter bullet from Muntari to grab all three points at the Ohene Djan stadium.

The home side, whose best efforts came in the first half, held their lead for just 10 minutes before Guinea scored an equaliser and then threatened to spoil the home party in the final stages.

But Muntari (pictured below) delivered a goal following a forceful run just when the 45,000-sellout crowd seemed to be settling for a disappointing draw.

Ghana began brightly and Junior Agogo hit the post with a forceful header after 20 minutes.

Eight minutes later midfielder Michael Essien headed against the same post from a corner and in the 40th minute a snap effort from Muntari also cannoned back off the post.

The opening goal came from the penalty spot when Oumar Kalabane brought down Agogo and Seychelles referee Eddy Maillet pointed to the spot. Asamoah Gyan belted the spot kick high into the net.

Kalabane then made up for his error by grabbing the equaliser 10 minutes later from a corner, his header hitting the underside of the bar before bouncing in off Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson's shoulder.

Guinea could have snatched a win had Eric Addo not blocked Ismael Bangoura's late shot while Ghana substitute Dede Ayew's first touch of the ball was superbly saved by Kemoko Camara.

Good start to the tournament.

Tomorrow? Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast ... two African giants in an early battle for Cup supremacy!

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!!

Africans in Europe

Let's take a look again at the footballing exploits of African superstars in Europe this week, courtesy of Timothy Collings of Reuters.

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins scored a vital brace, including a spectacular overhead kick, as Newcastle United opened their English Premier League campaign with a 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers.

Martins's athletic strike was the eye-catching highlight of a busy and successful weekend for African players as the leading European soccer leagues began their seasons.

The striker's first goal was sublime. He controlled James Milner's cross on his chest with his back towards goal, before spinning and executing a perfect overhead kick high into the net to make it 2-0 after 21 minutes.

The former Inter Milan frontman scored his second six minutes later with a deflected long-range strike and Bolton could manage only a solitary consolation from French striker Nicolas Anelka.

Elsewhere in the English league, it was an excellent day for Portsmouth's African duo Benjani Mwaruwari and John Utaka.

Both were on the score-sheet as Pompey began the season with a 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Derby County.

After 27 minutes Zimbabwean Benjani latched onto a pass from England's David Nugent to equalise Matt Oakley's early opener.
Then Utaka, an impressive new arrival, appeared to win the game for Portsmouth when the Nigerian drove home powerfully with just seven minutes remaining.
But Derby struck back immediately to snatch a point through an Andy Todd diving header.

Ghana's Michael Essien started the new season with Chelsea's winning goal in a 3-2 win over promoted Birmingham City in an entertaining game at Stamford Bridge.

Young Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe scored a vital goal for Everton as they started their season with a 2-1 win at home to Wigan Athletic.
The 19-year-old from Lagos calmly converted from an Andrew Johnson through-ball with 15 minutes remaining.

ISIAKU DOUBLE

The German Bundesliga got underway on Friday night, but the first major African contribution came the following day when VfL Bochum hosted Werder Bremen.
Bremen were without eight first-team players but they will still be disappointed to have surrendered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw.

Brazilian playmaker Diego scored Bremen's first from the penalty spot before Ivorian striker Boubacar Sanogo doubled the advantage with a curling free-kick in first half stoppage time.

Manasseh Isiaku was on target twice for MSV Duisburg as they won 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund.
The Nigerian struck either side of Mihai Tararache's 62nd minute penalty to make sure promoted Duisburg kicked off their season in style with their first win at Dortmund for 35 years.

In France, a double from Algerian striker Rafih Saifi helped FC Lorient to a 2-1 win over Monaco in the second round of Ligue 1 fixtures on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, St Etienne's all-African strikeforce powered them to a victory over Valenciennes.
A goal from Batefimbi Gomis of Senegal and two from Guinea's Pascal Feindouno shot 'Les Verts' to their first win of the season.

On Sunday, a late goal from Senegal striker Momar N'Diaye was not enough to save Metz from a home defeat against Lille.
N'Diaye looked to have earned a share of the points when his deflected effort made it 1-1 in the 84th minute but there was still time for Croatian midfielder Marko Maric to steal the win for the visitors.