Sierra Leone hold the reigning African champions, Algeria to a goalless draw on their return to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament for the first time since 1996, at the Stade Omnisport de Douala.
Algeria are the favourites to lift the trophy once again this year but they were left stunned by the Leone Stars, who were the better side in the first half and easily could have found themselves a couple of goals ahead with better finishing.
Alhaji Kamara thought he had given Leone Stars the lead with a tap-in from a goalmouth scramble, but the offside flag cut the celebrations short.
OFFSIDE ❌
Alhaji Kamara nearly gives Sierra Leone the lead in the second-half
With this result Algeria claims its undefeated run stands at 35 matches and just three away from setting a new record from the record of 37 undefeated internationals in a row set by European champions Italy last year, Italy went three years without a loss from 2018 to 2021.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria started its quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over the Pharaohs Egypt at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon.
Nantes’ forward, Moses Simon could’ve given Nigeria the lead in the 27th minute after firing narrowly wide from closed range.
The goal would later come three minutes later, through Kelechi Iheanacho who received a lovely headed pass from Joe Aribo and fired a rifled left-footed shot into the top right corner.
Taiwo Awoniyi thought he had doubled the Eagles’ lead but could only hit the cross bar with a closed ranger header in the 48th minute.
Iheanacho had some beautiful chances but unable to convert. However, scoring on his debut AFCON earned him the Man Of The Match award.
Liverpool forward, Mohammed Salah had his chance but Maduka Okoye was readily at alert to stop his low shot from scrabbling pass him.
Substitute Chidera Ejuka who replaced Chukwueze, was in position on two occasions but fire straight to the goalkeeper.
The Eagles dominated the Pharaohs and seven-time AFCON winners, with Salah playing for the duration of the game.
With today’s victory, Nigeria broke Egypt’s unbeaten record. Pharaohs were unbeaten in their last 16 group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt’s last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament when they lost 2-1 against Algeria.
Guinea earned a 1-0 victory over depleted Malawi in the Group B clash at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam on Monday, thanks to left-back Issiaga Sylla first-half goal.
Malawi making a third appearance at the AFCON since 2010, had the better chances of the game but unable utilize any of it, as they also found Guinea goalkeeper Aly Keita in inspired form.
The camp of Malawi was hit by COVID-19 outbreak with 13 members of their squad unavailable and could only name four players on the bench that included two goalkeepers.
In the 35th minute, Jose Kante provided a superb assist when he teased the Malawian defence before sliding a perfect pass for Sylla who was presented with a simple chance to slip his shot past keeper Ernest Kakhobwe from close range to net his third international goal.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco edged four-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, Ghana 1-0 at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, courtesy of Sofiane Boufal’s late second-half strike.
It was a cagey first half between the two powerhouses of African football as both sides played out a cautious approach in the first half.
Hoping to record only their second victory in the opening match of a group encounter in the last five AFCON tournaments, Ghana began to build momentum when Paintsil’s goal-bound effort from the edge of the area forced a Yassine Bouno’s spectacular save in the 73rd minute.
Ten minutes later, former Southampton man Boufal converted a rebound past a helpless Wollacott.
Morocco could have scored a second but Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott saved from close range to keep the score at just 1-0.
The Atlas Lions opened their account with victory in Yaoundé, extending their unbeaten run over 90 minutes to 35 matches in competitive fixtures.
Protests are growing across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against plans of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to turn the football pitch of the Area 10 Sports Complex (Old Parade Ground) into a maize and rice pyramids center.
Already, some hired workers today breached the perimeter fence of the pitch in readiness for the arrival of hundreds of trucks alleged to be carrying biologically modified maize (BMO).
The Area 10 Sports Complex, also known as the Old Parade Ground is where most football teams in the FCT practise and play their competitive league Matches every week.
Few months ago, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) owners of NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels spent millions of Naira in the re-grassing of the pitch, renovation of the dressing rooms and the stands.
Top Sports enthusiast Peter Aduebe believes that the decision is too hasty and shouldn’t have been made at all. The football pitch is where many youths in Abuja showcase their talents and play competitive games for their various clubs. It is a way of livelihood for both the male and female athletes as a whole.
“I am so disappointed about this. I feel the Federal Government should encourage the youths more, not discourage them in exhibiting what they can do.
“The Area 10 Sports Complex is has produced alot of great talents and is still producing. Instead of the FCTA to build more Sporting Facilities, they are thinking of destroying the ones already available.
In his thoughts, Abuja based Journalist, Tunde Adebayo noted that the Government inability to provide suitable sporting facilities for the youth is frustrating, not to talk of destroying one available for the youths in Abuja.
“This is unfair to thousands of youths who look forward to promoting their God given talents through sports. Recently, someone spent millions of Naira to renovate the Arena and all the FCTA could do is to turn the pitch into an agricultural storage avenue.
The Area 10 Sports Complex is a stadium in the Garki District of Abuja, Nigeria. Built in the early 1980s, it is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of various teams in the Federal Capital Territory. The stadium has a capacity of about 5,000.
Most capped Super Eagles player, Ahmed Musa, says he wants to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a parting gift from the Nigeria national team.
“I think this is my last AFCON Insha-Allah,” said Musa.
The 29-year old winger who in his 103 appearances for Nigeria netted 16 goals said during a pre-match press conference on Monday, ahead of the group D opener against Egypt on Tuesday.
He would be leading the Super Eagles in the 33rd AFCON that kicked off on Sunday at Cameroon. The Super Eagles will play their first game againt Egypt on January 11, and the team captain has asked his teammates to give him the AFCON as a parting gift.
“I have spoken to the boys that this is the only gift you can give to me. Because this is my last AFCON. And the boys told me that they are ready.
“My first AFCON was in South Africa in 2013 and we ended winning it. And my second appearance was in Egypt and we won the bronze.”
Musa became the first Nigerian to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match, with his brace against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He is also the first Nigerian to score in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, having scored twice against Iceland in the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage.
The Teranga Lions left it late to score the match-winner from the spot through Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
It was never an easy start for the tournament favourite, Senegal. The last edition finalist struggled but triumph 1-0 over Zimbabwe in their Group B opening game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
The Teranga Lions camp was hit heavily with COVID-19 outbreak and hence only able to name six substitutes. Senegal played without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who were among a group of players ruled out for the game after testing positive for the coronavirus.
After struggling throughout the game to break down the resilient defence of Zimbabwe, Senegal were awarded a last-gasp penalty after the referee adjudged that Kelvin Madzongwe had handled the ball in his box very deep into stoppage-time.
Zimbabwe protested vehemently but referee Mario Escobar of Guatemala stuck by his decision after referring to VAR. Madzongwe had thrown himself to the ground trying to block a shot and the ball struck his arm.
Mane stepped up and blasted home the only goal of the game with the last kick of the game as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and drilled the penalty into the left corner after Senegal produced a misfiring first performance in Cameroon for much of the game.
A 97th minute penalty from Sadio Mane sees Senegal start their #AFCON2021 campaign with a win 👏
Matchday five of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) season was held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th January 2022 across ten match centres in the country.
League debutants, Remo Stars remain unbeaten and seat top of the log, while defending Champions Akwa United suffered another defeat as Enyimba FC gets back to winning ways and Kano Pillars slow start to the season continues.
NPFL Matchday 5 results.
Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United
It was a barren draw between Niger Tornadoes and River United at the Kwara State stadium complex Ilorin on Saturday in the early kickoff of the NPFL Matchday five fixtures.
River United went temporarily top of the table for the first time since February 2021, on Saturday, pending Remo Stars game against Plateau United which comes up on Sunday.
Remo Stars vs Plateau United
Remo Stars are back on the top of Nigeria’s Professional Football League, after beating visiting Plateau United 1-0 in Ikenne, thanks to Samuel Anakwe’s 55th minute header.
The league debutants remain unbeaten with three wins and two draws. The Sky Blues are now two points above Rivers United.
Kwara United vs Rangers
Kwara United and Rangers could not be separated at the Kwara State Sports Complex in Ilorin as they played a 1-1 draw.
Samuel Chisom opened the scoring for the Afonja Warriors before Ossy Martins equalised for the Flying Antelopes early in the second half.
Christopher Nwaeze missed a penalty for Kwara United in the 67th minute, his first miss since joining the team in 2019. He had converted all of the last five penalty kicks before today.
Both sides have eight points apiece and occupy fourth and fifth place on the NPFL log.
Enyimba FC vs Shooting Stars
Enyimba who suffered back-to-back defeats to Rivers United and Kano Pillars, returned to winning ways after edging visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan 1-0, thanks to Emmanuel Godwin who converted Wasiu Mahmud’s cross in the 87th minute.
The People’s Elephant saw captain Austin Oladapo return from a six-month ban and are now seating third with nine points from five games.
Heartland FC vs Wikki Tourist
In Owerri, Chukwudi Nwaodu’s first-half penalty for Heartland was the difference between the Naze Millionaires and Wikki Tourist, which enables them move up to 9th place with one point ahead of Wikki tourist.
Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars
Struggle continues for four-time winners of the NPFL, Kano Pillars as they were stunned by Sunshine Stars in a statement 3-0 at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.
Second half goals from Kamaru Adebari, Michael Olulasi and Babatunde Bello in the space of ten minutes sealed the deal for the Owena Whales as they picked up their first win of the season.
The Sai Masu Gida with their third defeat of the season, returned to the bottom of the table.
Lobi Stars vs Akwa United
NPFL Champions Akwa United suffered back-to-back defeat as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat away at Lobi Stars.
Saidu Mubarak scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute to move the Benue-based side to sixth on the log, one place above Akwa United.
MFM vs Abia Warriors
In Lagos, MFM edged Abia Warriors 2-1, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Muyiwa Balogun broke the deadlock in the first-half before substitute Oladayo Alabi handed MFM a two-goal lead with an exquisite free-kick. Godwin Obaje pulled one back for the Umuahia Landlords in the 84th minute, but the Olukoya Boys held on for their second win of the season.
Dakkada FC vs Nasarawa United
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Dakkada FC defeated Nasarawa United 2-1, days after they were banished from Uyo.
Just three minutes into the game, Veteran Aniekan Ekpe – who was later sent off in the second half– gave the Uyo-side the lead from the spot before Michael Tochukwu equalised for Nasarawa United in the 30th minute.
Silas Nwankwo saw his penalty saved by Loveday Anugbuo in the 53rd minute before Emmanuel Ayaosi scored a brilliant solo goal in the 90th minute to seal the points for Dakkada at their adopted home, and end the Solid Miners’ unbeaten run.
Kastina United vs Gombe United
Katsina United came from behind to defeat newly-promoted Gombe United 2-1 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Ibrahim Yahaya opened the scoring for Gombe United just before half-time, but Madaki Alkali Dauda scored twice in the second half for a great comeback. He equalised for the Changi Boys just two minutes after the restart and scored an outrageous direct corner-kick in the 93rd minute of the game to fire the hosts up to 13th on the log.
Cape Verde defeated 10-man Ethiopia in the second match of the AFCON match day one fixtures, thanks to Tavares’ first half stoppage time lone goal.
The Blue Sharks were forced to start the match without coach Bubista, in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus, and had just six substitutes on the bench, with a further nine players isolating, and two injured.
Barely 12 minutes into the game, the Walia Antelopes were reduced to 10 men as Yared Bayeh got sent off for a last ditch tackle on Julio Tavares, that was upgraded from yellow to red card after a VAR review.
Garry Rodrigues assisted Tavares who headed home the game’s lone goal just before the halftime. An effort that saw him crowned the Man Of The Match.
Just minutes earlier, Ethiopia had a chance to be first on the scoresheet when Abubeker Nasir intercepted a poor back pass from Irish-born Roberto Lopes but goalkeeper Marcio Rosa was off his line to denied the opportunity.
Despite their well crafted football, Ethiopia have not won a game at the AFCON in 45 years.
Cape Verde, whose three Cup of Nations appearances have all come since 2013 sealed their second-ever win and their very first AFCON victory since they beat Angola in 2013.
Kicking off the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, hosts nation, Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 and end a run of three competitive head-to-head draws.
Both teams locked horns at the 60,000 seaters Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Sunday for the official opening match of the postponed AFCON 2021.
Less than a minute into the game, Steeve Yago was booked for a terrible foul on Moumi Ngamaleu, as he became the first player to be booked at this year’s tournament.
The Indomitable Lions got off to a magnificent start but were unable to translate that into a lead, as Karl Toko Ekambi couldn’t find the target from a tight angle after Hervé Koffi came flying out of his box.
The Stallions went ahead in the 24th minute, thanks to Gustavo Sangaré who finished clinically from Bertrand Traoré’s cross.
Bertrand Traore who assisted his team’s goal, gave away the penalty to the opposition when he fouled André-Frank Zambo Anguissa while trying to reach a bouncing ball in the box and was called by VAR. Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar stepped up to and showed incredible composure to send Koffi the wrong way and slide the ball home in the 40th minute.
Just before the halftime, Issoufou Dayo cleared out Nouhou Tolo, and just like the first time, Vincent Aboubakar, made no mistake from the spot to become the first player to score brace in the tournament.
The 29-year-old thought he had secured his hat-trick just before the hour mark, as Koffi’s save from Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu’s shot bounced off him and into the net, but it was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
His brace in his ninth AFCON participation marks his second and third AFCON career goals with his ever AFCON goal dated back to 2017 in Gabon final against Egypt, a goal that gave the Indomitable Lions its fifth AFCON title.
Man Of The Match award presented to Vincent Aboubakar for his impressive performance.
Cameroon have never lost a game in Yaoundé since October 12, 1988 when they fell 1-0 to Gabon in the regional Coupe UDEAC tournament.
Also, in 1972, Cameroon scored twice in the first half as host of the AFCON. 50 years on, they scored twice in the first half as the host of the AFCON.
MOLATsportgist 