Africa Cup of Nations

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Final

02-12-2012 Zambia 20:00 Cote d'Ivoire

Third place

02-11-2012 Ghana 20:00 Mali

CWL

[Fairscup]

Tiote coming home unscathed. At least physically, he looked depressed to say the least following Ivory Coast's penalty defeat last night.

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Final

02-12-2012 Zambia 8 - 7 Cote d'Ivoire

Third place

02-11-2012 Ghana 0 - 2 Mali

Zambia win following the penalty shoot out, although Drogba amazingly failed to score from one during normal time.

Zambia hold nerve to beat Ivory Coast, take title.

Zambia conjured up a shock when they toppled star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to claim their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday.
With the sides goalless after extra time Zambia's Stoppila Sunzu converted the magic spot kick after Arsenal striker Gervinho missed for the Elephants.
The result meant misery for hot favourites Ivory Coast, who failed to claim the title despite not conceding a goal throughout the entire competition until Sunday's shootout. It also revived memories for Didier Drogba, who missed a penalty in the second half of normal time, and company of their 2006 penalty shoot out final defeat to Egypt in Cairo.
Zambia, motivated by the memory of the 1993 national team wiped out in a plane crash off the Libreville coast, went into the 2012 climax as outsiders. But they covered themselves with glory, hassling and harrowing their star-studded rivals all the way to the penalty shoot-out, and then holding their nerve to prevail in the dramatic, barely watchable denouement.
Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui fielded the same side that saw off Mali 1-0 in the semi-final. His Zambian counterpart, Herve Renard, recalled striker Emmanuel Mayuka, after his starring role in getting the decisive goal in the 1-0 last four defeat over Ghana.
He joined captain Christopher Katongo in spearheading the Chipolopolo's (Copper Bullets) attack. Russian-based midfielder Chisamba Lungu came in for Francis Kasonde.

A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the 74 people killed in the Port Said stadium slaughter in Egypt.

The game was only seconds old when Zambia almost took a shock lead, with keeper Boubacar Barry doing well to save Nathan Sinkala's close range shot off Katongo's quick pass from a Rainford Kalaba corner. Renard was forced into an unscripted change when defender Joseph Musonda limped off in tears on 11 minutes - Nyambe Mulenga took his place.

A shaky start by Ivory Coast gave Zambia hope of an upset and Kalaba's 30m freekick wasn't far away after taking a deflection off Cheik Tiote's leg. The Elephants put together their best passage of play approaching the half hour mark, a neat Drogba backheel setting up Yaya Toure only for the Manchester City midfielder's angled shot to go wide of the far post. A hugely promising first half from Zambia had the Elephants' defence, marshalled by Kolo Toure, under more pressure than they would have wanted, with Katongo leading from the front.

The second half began with a deathly hush descending on the stadium - the final in desperate need of the kiss of life in the guise of a goal. On 72 minutes one should have come after Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty when Issac Chansa and Mulenga barged into Gervinho. Drogba stepped up but his woeful attempt went soaring into the night sky, even though he appeared to divert blame to the pitch, glaring at the spot. This was his second miss from the spot after he had a penalty saved in the quarter-final win over Equatorial Guinea, where he went on to score twice.
One minute later Max Gradel's shot from the box had Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene beaten, but it rolled wide of the far post.
In the 95th minute, substitute Felix Katongo crossed from the right for his brother Christopher with only Barry's toe diverting the goalbound ball off the near post.

There was high drama once the penalty shoot out got underway, with Kolo Toure missing the Ivorians seventh penalty, but Zambia's Kalaba also missing his to leave the sides still inseparable.
Then after Gervinho failed in his attempt it was left to Sunzu, the defender who plays his club football in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to give Zambia a historic first title, and consign Ivory Coast to another wretched defeat.

CWL

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Results from the last round of group games to qualify for the Orange CAN 2013.

09/09/2012 matches

Mozambique 2 - 0 Morocco

Zimbabwe 3 - 1 Angola

DR Congo 4 - 0 Equatorial Guinea

Guinea 1 - 0 Niger

Libya 0 - 1 Algeria

08/09/2012 matches

Zambia 1 - 0 Uganda

Central African Rep. 1 - 0 Burkina Faso

Gabon 1 - 1 Togo

Ghana 2 - 0 Malawi

Sierra Leone 2 - 2 Tunisia

Cape Verde 2 - 0 Cameroon

Ivory Coast 4 - 2 Senegal

Mali 3 - 0 Botswana

Sudan 5 - 3 Ethiopia

Liberia 2 - 2 Nigeria

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Round-up of first legs of the final round of qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

Zimbabwe and Mozambique established two-goal first leg advantages on Sunday in pursuit of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations places. The often wasteful Warriors of Zimbabwe exhibited clinical finishing to beat Angola 3-1 in Harare while the Mambas (Snakes) of Mozambique netted twice during the second half for a shock 2-0 victory over former champions Morocco in Maputo.

Algeria snatched a last-minute goal to defeat Libya 1-0 in Moroccan city Casablanca, Guinea won by the same score at home against Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo outclassed Equatorial Guinea 4-0 in Kinshasa. Zimbabwe and Mozambique are rare participants in the premier African national team championship and their presence would be welcomed by hosts South Africa with the prospect of many supporters travelling from the neighbouring states.

Angola and Morocco will enjoy home advantage in the mid-October return matches and the aggregate winners will be among 15 teams who join automatic qualifiers South Africa for the three-week tournament next January and February. Mateus Galiano da Costa conceded an early own goal before a Khama Billiat shot and an Archieford Gutu header gave Zimbabwe a three-goal half-time lead that was trimmed early in the second half when Djalma Campos scored.

It was a competitive baptism of fire for Uruguay-born Black Antelopes coach Gustavo Ferrin, although the away goal will give the Angolans some hope for the second leg in Luanda. Mozambique wasted several chances that triggered the constant booing of striker Jerry Sitoe before Almiro Lobo broke the deadlock and Elias 'Domingues' Pelembe got a potentially crucial second goal in stoppage time.

Algeria won more possession in the North African derby switched from Tripoli to Stade Mohammed V in the Moroccan commercial hub because of the unstable security situation within the Libyan capital. But a match watched by a small crowd appeared doomed to end goalless until El Arbi Hilel Soudani struck a low shot into the corner of the net for his second goal of the qualifying competition.

DR Congo are virtually assured of returning to the Cup of Nations after a seven-year absence thanks to the whipping of 2012 co-hosts and quarter-finalists Equatorial Guinea. It was one-way traffic toward the Equatoguinean goalmouth from the kick-off with the Congolese forcing 11 first half corners, but they had to wait 55 minutes before translating the dominance into goals. Dieumerci Mbokani from Champions League group phase qualifiers Anderlecht of Belgium broke the deadlock and completed the rout 11 minutes from time after Deo Kanda and Isama Mpeka also scored. Mohamed Lamine Yattara finished off good work down the flank by Ibrahima Traore just after half-time to settle the clash with Niger, whose goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly made several fine saves.

CWL

[magpie99]

Hopefully Senegal are out and our two Demba's stay with us during Jan

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Results from the last round of group games to qualify for the Orange CAN 2013.

13th October 2012

Malawi 0 - 1 Ghana
Botswana 1 - 4 Mali
Nigeria 6 - 1 Liberia
Uganda 8 - 9 Zambia (after penalties)
Senegal 0 - 2 Cote d'Ivoire
Tunisia 0 - 0 Sierra Leone
Morocco 4 - 0 Mozambique

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Round-up of second legs of the final round of qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria will feature in the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations after thrashing Liberia 6-1 at home Saturday to go through 8-3 on aggregate. The home team stunned the visitors less than a minute after the kick-off at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar when central defender Efe Ambrose powered home a free kick taken by Victor Moses.
Despite Liberia enjoying more possession, CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa doubled the lead on 38 minutes when he was first to a pass threaded into the box by Emmanuel Emenike and hit the target. Moses, who plays for Chelsea, made it 3-0 just three minutes after half-time when he was released by Real Betis forward Nosa Igiebor for his first goal for Nigeria since his debut last February.
Nigeria netted a fourth goal in the 50th minute when another Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel, slotted home a penalty after Liberia goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman fouled goal-bound Igiebor.

It was Mikel's third international goal and a fitting return for the midfielder, who was playing his first game for the Super Eagles since coach Stephen Keshi took over last November. In the 70th minute, skipper Duncan Gebro was red-carded for diving inside the Nigerian box.Liberia's misery was compounded two minutes later when substitute Ike Uche grabbed Nigeria's fifth goal, crashing his shot against the post and into the net.The more purposeful Eagles continued to threaten to score more goals despite the comfortable lead with Musa, Brown Ideye and Moses fluffing several open chances.

Liberia pulled a goal back on 80 minutes through substitute striker Patrick Wleh. The tall striker reacted quicker to a through ball by Sekou Oliseh and poked the ball beyond goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.Moses completed the rout for Nigeria two minutes from time when he nodded home a measured cross by Mikel.

Defending champions Zambia qualified for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Saturday after winning a marathon penalty shootout in Uganda. It took 20 spot kicks at the near-full Nelson Mandela stadium outside Kampala before the visitors emerged 9-8 winners having lost the second leg 1-0 with recalled Geoffrey Massa scoring midway through the opening half.

The final round qualifier finished 1-1 on aggregate, necessitating the shootout in which Zambia converted nine consecutive kicks after captain Christopher Katongo failed to score from the first penalty. Zambia are no strangers to shootouts, defeating fancied Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in Libreville last February after 120 goalless minutes to win the trophy for the first time.
Herve Renard, the French coach who guided Zambia to success against the odds, wore the same white shirt and jeans in each match of the 2012 tournament, and in Kampala. Defeat meant more heartbreak for Uganda, seeking a place at the premier African football tournament for the first time since losing the 1978 final against hosts Ghana.

Ghana became the first team to qualify for the 2013 finals with an early Afriyie Acquah goal giving them a 1-0 win over Malawi in Lilongwe having taken a two-goal advantage to Civo Stadium. Acquah, from Serie A oufit Parma, was not even chosen for the original squad, but got a late call-up when another Italy-based midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, withdrew injured. Malawi never stopped trying before a crowd that included state president Joyce Banda and troubled goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey occasionally, but more clinical finishing would have given the Black Stars a bigger victory.

Mali shrugged off the absence through injury of experienced midfielders Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra to triumph 4-1 in Botswana after leading by a solitary goal at half-time.France-based Cheick Diabate scored the opening goal and there were three more for the visiting Eagles before Botswana grabbed a late consolation, leaving Mali 7-1 overall winners.

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Results from the last round of group games to qualify for the Orange CAN 2013.

14th October 2012

Algeria 2 - 0 Libya
Cameroon 2 - 1 Cape Verde
Togo 2 - 1 Gabon
Angola 2 - 0 Zimbabwe
Niger 2 - 0 Guinea
Ethiopia 2 - 0 Sudan
E.Guinea 2 - 1 RD Congo
Burkina Faso 3 - 1 Central African

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2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finalists complete.

The 15 teams to join hosts South Africa in the 29th edition of Africa Cup of Nations are known after a dramatic final weekend of qualifiers saw tears of joy and pain across the continent.

Cape Verde Islands secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on Sunday and former champions Ethiopia are back in the big time after a 30-year absence. The much-hyped return of striker and captain Samuel Eto'o helped four-time champions Cameroon to a 2 - 1 home win over Cape Verde, but a 3 - 2 aggregate loss means a second consecutive failure to reach the African football showcase.

Alula Girma and Saladin Seid scored within three minutes during the second half in Addis Ababa to earn Ethiopia a 2 - 0 victory over Sudan and a ticket to South Africa next January on away goals after a 5 - 5 aggregate deadlock.

An early Antonio Pereira goal was just what Cape Verde needed to settle the nerves in the intimidating cauldron of a packed 60,000-seat Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde. Achille Emana levelled soon after and there was relentless Indomitable Lions second-half pressure, including an Eto'o attempt that rebounded off the woodwork, but all they had to show for it was a late Fabrice Olinga goal. Portuguese-speaking Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with a population of just 500,000, and the national squad consists mainly of footballers at unfashionable European clubs.

The qualification of the Ethiopian Black Lions confirmed a recent upsurge of fortunes that has seen them lead a 2014 World Cup qualifying group after holding South Africa away and defeating Central African Republic at home.

They also won on away goals against Benin in the first elimination round for the 2013 Cup of Nations and now return to a tournament they won for the only time 50 years ago. Sudan won a goal-flush first encounter 5 - 3 thanks to a late Mohamed Al Tahir brace and were barely troubled during the opening half at the national stadium in the heart of the Ethiopian capital. As the hour mark passed without a goal it was looking good for the visitors, and then Girma and Egypt-based Seid turned the match on its head to the delight of a sell-out 30,000 crowd.

Alain Traore struck five minutes into stoppage time to give Burkina Faso a 3 - 1 home win over giant-killers Central African Republic, who took a one-goal lead into the tie having stunned seven-time champions Egypt in the last round. Former Manchester United signing Manucho Goncalves scored twice in the early minutes in Luanda to secure a 2 - 0 win for Angola over Zimbabwe, overall victory on away goals after a 3 - 3 tie, and a fifth consective Africa Cup appearance. Niger left it much later to upset Guinea 2 - 0 and squeeze through on aggregate after a solitary-goal first leg loss with Mohammed Chikoto and Issoufou Garba netting in the closing stages.

Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham was on target for Togo in a 2 - 1 win over 2012 co-hosts Gabon, who were held at home in the first leg. Wome Dove was the other Togolese marksman and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a late consolation goal. Equatorial Guinea halved a four-goal first-leg deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo after 35 minutes in Malabo, but Youssouf Mulumbu reduced the arrears before half-time and the home team had to settle for a hollow 2 - 1 win.

Any hope Libya had of overhauling a one-goal loss first time out against Algeria did not last long in Blida with El Arbi Hilal Soudani and Islam Slimani scoring within seven minutes and the home side cruised to a 2 - 0 victory. An October 24th draw in Indian Ocean city Durban will divide the 15 survivors plus South Africa, automatic qualifiers as hosts, into four groups for the January 19th - February 10th flagship tournament.

Qualifiers for 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be played in South Africa are as following in (alphabetical order)
Algeria: Angola :Burkina Faso: Cape Verde Islands: Democratic Republic of Congo : Ethiopia: Ghana: Ivory Coast: Mali: Morocco: Niger: Nigeria: South Africa: Togo: Tunisia and Zambia (holders)

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Finals: Group Results

Mon 21st Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations Group C

Zambia 1 - 1 Ethiopia
Nigeria 1 - 1 Burkina Faso

Sun 20th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations Group B

Ghana 2 - 2 DR Congo
Mali 1 - 0 Niger

Sat 19th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations Group A

South Africa 0 - 0 Cape Verde Islands
Angola 0 - 0 Morocco

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Finals: Group results

Tue 22nd Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast 2 - 1 Togo FT
Tunisia 1 - 0 Algeria

Wed 23rd Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

South Africa 2 - 0 Angola FT
Morocco 1 - 1 Cape Verde FT

Thu 24th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana 1 - 0 Mali FT
Niger 0 - 0 DR Congo FT

Fri 25th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Zambia 1 - 1 Nigeria FT
Burkina Faso 4 - 0 Ethiopia FT

Sat 26th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast 3 - 0 Tunisia FT
Algeria 0 - 2 Togo

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Finals: Group results

Sun 27th Jan 2013

Cape Verde 2 - 1 Angola
Morocco 2 - 2 South Africa

Hosts South Africa finished top of Group A after their dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco in Durban knocked the North Africans out of the tournament.

Knowing a win would take them through, Morocco twice led - only to exit the finals, as Cape Verde beat Angola 2-1.

After Issam El Adoua headed home 10 minutes in, May Mahlangu curled home in fine style after 71 minutes.

Mehdi Namli put Morocco in front again, but Siyabonga Sangweni broke North African hearts with a late equaliser.

Debutants Cape Verde qualified for the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations after coming from behind to beat Angola 2-1 in Port Elizabeth.

The Angolans took the lead on 33 minutes through an own goal from Cape Verde defender Neves.

The Blue Sharks equalised with nine minutes left, after defender Fernando Varela headed in from close range.

Substitute Heldon snatched the winner in the 90th minute to secure second place in Group A behind South Africa.

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Finals: Group results

Mon 28th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

DR Congo 1 - 1 Mali
Niger 0 - 3 Ghana

Tue 29th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Burkina Faso 0 - 0 Zambia
Ethiopia 0 - 2 Nigeria

Wed 30th Jan 2013 - Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria 2 - 2 Ivory Coast
Togo 1 - 1 Tunisia

Ghana eased through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations by beating Niger to finish top of Group B.

Captain Asamoah Gyan was instrumental throughout and he set the Black Stars on their way when he controlled Albert Adomah's cross and the drove home.

Gyan then turned provider as he crossed for Christian Atsu, who chested the ball down before poking it in.

Ghana wrapped up the win when Gyan's header was parried by Daouda Kassaly and John Boye tapped in the rebound.

It was a comprehensive victory and a solid performance from a Ghana team that went into the game knowing they only needed a draw to make it through to the last eight.

Mali came from behind against DR Congo to earn a point and progress to the Africa Cup of Nations last eight.

Leopards playmaker Dieumerci Mbokani opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just three minutes.

Mali levelled 11 minutes later as Mahamadou Samassa tapped home from Adama Tamboura's neat pull-back.

Claude LeRoy's side chased a winner but were unable to find a way through the solid Malian defence, as the Eagles joined Ghana in the quarter-finals .

It marks the Malians' second successive progression to the knockout stage, as they seek to better last year's third-place finish in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Defending champions Zambia crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations after a goalless draw with Burkina Faso, who progressed to the quarter-finals.

Chipolopolo went into the game level on points with Nigeria, who went through to the last eight after a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in the other Group C game.

Zambia will rue weak efforts from Collins Mbesuma and Rainford Kalaba in a poor game against Burkina Faso.

Clifford Mulenga also missed a half-chance late as Zambia limped out.

It is the first time the reigning champions have gone out in the group stage since Algeria in 1992, when there were four groups of three teams.

Group D winners Ivory Coast rescued a draw against Algeria to maintain their unbeaten record in the Nations Cup.

Algeria, eliminated before the match, missed a first-half penalty through Ryad Boudebouz but Sofiane Feghouli scored from a second spot-kick.

Substitute Feghouli then crossed for Hilal Soudani to power home a header to make it 2-0 before Didier Drogba nodded in superbly to halve the deficit.

A deflected Wilfried Bony shot completed the Ivorians' comeback.

It was a fightback that had looked in doubt as a reserve Ivory Coast side only raised their game once they went behind.

Togo qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals for the first time by drawing with Tunisia in an incident-filled Group D encounter.

The Togolese led after 13 minutes as Emmanuel Adebayor played in Serge Gakpe, who fired home from an angle.

Tunisia levelled through a penalty from Khaled Mouelhi shortly after, but the same player missed another spot-kick in a match Tunisia had to win to qualify.

Adebayor was denied a penalty at the other end but Togo held on for history.

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Quarter Final results....

Ghana 2 - 0 Cape Verde

South Africa 1 - 1 Mali

Mali win 3 - 1 on penalties

Mali reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the second year running after edging out hosts South Africa on penalties.

Bafana Bafana missed three of their spot-kicks, with Lehlohonolo Majoro firing wide to give Mali victory.

The hosts had taken the lead in the first half, with striker Tokelo Rantie firing home from Thuso Phala's cross.

Mali captain Seydou Keita drew his side level, heading past South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune from six yards.

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