The team of the tournament for the just concluded 2017 Africa Cup of Nations have been unveiled. Featuring former Chelsea players, Mohamed Salah, Bertrand Traore and Newcastle’s Christian Atsu. Others are in the list below
CAF Team of the tournament
Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon)
Defenders: Modou Kara Mbodji (Senegal), Ahmed Hegazy (Egypt), Michael Ngadeu (Cameroon)
Midfielders: Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso), Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Christian Atsu (Ghana), Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Forwards: Christian Bassogog (Cameroon), Junior Kabananga (DR Congo)
CAS lifts Morocco's ban
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)has lifted Morocco’s ban from participating in the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (AFCON). It also reduced a fine from $1m to $50,000.
Recall that Morocco requested that the tournament be postponed and moved to Equatorial Guinea because of Ebola fears.
AFCON Victory: The coach made things difficult for me- Yaya Toure.
Ivory Coast captain, Yaya Toure has heaped praises on their manager, Herve Renard and goalkeeper Boubacar Barry for inspiring them to victory at the just concluded AFCON tournament.
Recall that Ivory Coast ended their 22-year AFCON drought after beating Ghana 9-8 during the penalty shootout last night.
The elated midfielder told reporters. “When you win with your club it’s quite amazing but with your country it’s unbelievable.
I’ve been waiting I don’t know how many years to lift this trophy – as captain it is something special. The luck came to our side today. I’m delighted and very happy.”
“I’ve failed twice in final and it was hard to take. Today is fantastic. It was a great stress because of the penalties.
“I must congratulate Copa [Barry]. He showed us the true example of solidarity. The manager has been brilliant for us. Without the manager we would have won nothing. He knows very well football in Africa. He made things difficult for me. He told me if I didn’t run he’d kick me out. He’s fantastic.”
Ivory Coast wins AFCON 2015
Ivory Coast has emerged winner of the AFCON 2015 tournament. They ended their 22-year AFCON drought after beating Ghana 9-8 during the penalty shootout.
AFCON 2015: Vote for the goal of the tournament and stand a chance to win a Nissan car
Goal of the Tournament gives fans across Africa the opportunity to vote on Orange AFCON 2015’s best and most exciting goals. By voting, not only do they stand to win a Nissan Qashqai at the end of the tournament.
Roel de-Vries, Corporate Vice President, Global Head of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy – Nissan, explains, “The Goal of the Tournament competition gives football fans the chance to interact with the Orange AFCON tournament in a way that translates the excitement of the pitch directly onto their computer screens and into their lives. This is all part of our Engineers of Excitement program, which aims to enhance the experience of football fans.”
Nissan has partnered with SuperSport to further enhance this experience. Football fans will be able to vote once a day for their favourite goals on Nissan’s Goal of the Tournament competition page on supersport.com -available on the web and via mobile.
Voting will open once the first
tournament goal is scored and remain open until the end of the final game. Goals will be added to the entry form within five to 15 minutes after being scored. In addition, fans will be able to view all goals again, with clips being loaded onto the webpage within 15 minutes after the end of each game.
Brandon Foot, Acting CEO of SuperSport, comments, “We want to be the go-to channel for football fans to be part of the 2015 Orange AFCON action. We have secured the pay TV rights to broadcast the games, but beyond that we are excited to give fans the opportunity to interact with the tournament in a real and fun way, even once each game ends.”
At the end of Orange AFCON 2015, CAF will select the best goal of the
tournament, and all fan votes cast for this goal will go into a draw, with the winning fan being randomly selected after the final match on 8 February 2015. The lucky winner will drive away in a brand new Nissan Qashqai.
The player who scores the winning goal in Goal of the Tournament will also be presented with a trophy at the final to celebrate their performance in the Orange AFCON tournament. Renowned British jeweler and luxury goods house, Asprey, famed for its sporting trophy design and manufacture, most notably for Wimbledon and the Barclay’s English Premier League, created the. one-of-a-kind trophy.
Nissan is the official automotive sponsor of Orange AFCON.
AFCON 2015: "It was wrong to leave Iheanacho out of the list."- Babayaro
Mixed reactions have continued to trail Eagles 23-man list for the AFCON 2015 qualifiers. Honourable Sabo Babayaro, The father of Nigerian sport legends, Emmanuel and Celestine Babayaro believes that the exclusion of Manchester City youngster, Iheanacho was not appropriate adding that he could contribute immensely to the squad.
He told SL10, “I think it was wrong to leave Iheanacho out, for two reasons, first of all his performances during Man City tour of USA should have earned him a spot in the team. Secondly, it would have been a wise idea to include him in the Eagles rooster because when he turns 18, Man City will have a strong case in using the special talent rule to get him a work permit.
“They will argue that a 17-year-old in the senior national team of Africa’s champion deserves to be termed special and of course integrate him now so he can get the 75% national team game required by foreigners to play in the Premier League.
“I think it was an oversight but it can still be corrected because in the past Kanu and co were stars at the Under-17 and they were integrated early into the Super Eagles.
Below is the full list of invited players:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers)
Ebola: Rwanda Football Federation express concerns over AFCON fixture in Nigeria.
Following reported cases of Ebola virus in Nigeria, the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has expressed concerns regarding their AFCON clash with the Eagles in Calabar on September 6, 2014.
Vincent Nzamwita, FERWAFA president wrote the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the situation in Nigeria.
“We’re waiting to see if they can change the game, it’s a big worry. If the government decide that the Amavubi does not travel, then we shall respect that,” he added.
Meanwhile, CAF will be moving Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers from countries most affected by the EVD. According to them, World Health Organization have advised them to avoid huge gatherings that could facilitate the spread of the Ebola virus.
A circular, sent to all 54 CAF affiliated national associations reads:
“CAF will maintain its schedule of matches on the entire continent, except for 3 countries: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, which have recorded a great number of cases. CAF has decided to ask the three federations to relocate to a neutral country the matches of their teams participating in CAF competitions, for a period up to mid-September 2014.”
“Each National Association receiving delegations is obliged to communicate all the necessary information delivered by health authorities to ensure the reception of teams and officials from various countries, including those from affected countries, and to proceed, if necessary, to additional checks at arrival points if required.”
Credit: Fourfourtwo.com
CAF RANKS NIGERIA TOP SEED FOR 2015 AFCON QUALIFIERS
Thanks to Super Eagles’ smashing AFCON 2013 victory. Confederation of African football (CAF) has ranked Nigeria as top seeded team for the Morocco 2015 Orange African Cup of Nation qualifiers. Nigeria garnered a total of 39.5 points, Ghana and Ivory Coast had 38 and 36 respectively. Their automatic qualification will also see them leading other countries to the group stage qualifiers.
Top Ten
(1) Nigeria –
(2) Ghana
(3) Ivory Coast
(4) Zambia
(5) Burkina Faso
(6) Mali
(7) Tunisia
(8) Morocco
(9) Algeria
(10) Angola
(10) Cape Verde
CAF’s criteria include the performance of the teams during the three last editions of the AFCON; qualifiers of those editions, and the qualifiers of the World Cup 2014. The qualifiers’ draw will be held Sunday, April 27th 2014 in Cairo, Egypt.
Top 21 teams listed in the CAF ranking will automatically qualify for the group phase which will be held from September 5th to November 19th 2014. The final phase’s draw shall be conducted on November 26th 2014 in Morocco. The 2015 AFCON will be played from 17th January – 7th February 2015.
NIGERIA'S FIFA RANKING INCREASES AFTER AFCON VICTORY
Nigeria’s victory in the just-concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is still reverberating. The February 2013 FIFA world rankings has emerged the best ever after several months.
In the ranking of African teams, Nigeria has moved from its 10th place to fourth position and in FIFA’s rankings, they claim the 30th position.
Go Naija!
February 2013 ranking for 50 countries
1) Spain
2) Germany
3 Argentina
4 England
5 Italy
6 Colombia
7 Portugal
8 Netherlands
9 Croatia
10 Russia
11 Greece
12 Côte d’Ivoire
12 Ecuador
14 Switzerland
15 Mexico
16 Uruguay
17 France
18 Brazil
19 Ghana
20 Belgium
21 Sweden
22 Denmark
23 Chile
24 Bosnia- Herzegovina
25 Mali
26 Czech Republic
27 Norway
28 Japan
29 Montenegro
30 Nigeria
31 Romania
32 USA
33 Hungary
34 Algeria
35 Paraguay
36 Serbia
37 Australia
38 Korea
Republic
39 Peru
39 Republic
of Ireland
41 Turkey
42 Panama
42 Tunisia
43 Bolivia
45 Venezuela
46 Ukraine
47 Zambia
48 Bulgaria
49 Slovakia
50 Haiti
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN REWARDS SUPER EAGLES HANDSOMELY
Dividends of hard work: The victorious Super who arrived the country yesterday were treated to a grand reception party at the Banquet hall of Aso Villa in Abuja.
Before announcing and presenting some of their prizes, President Goodluck thanked the entire team for their victory in the just-concluded tournament and most importantly for making the nation proud.
”I thank coach Stephen Keshi and all members of the team who have worked very hard and played with great focus, dedication, artistry and patriotism to make Nigeria the proud champions of Africa once again after 19 years of setbacks in the competition.” He added.
All the 23 players and the four assistant coaches got a cash gift of N5m while the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi was given N10m. The other crew members got N2M each.
The team was also conferred national honours. Keshi was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) while his assistants; Sylvanus Okpalla, Ike Shorunmu, Daniel Amokachi and Valerie Houandinou as well as Eagles captain,Yobo were conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Other players got the Member of the Order of Niger (MON).