gsn24 news

Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri steps down after Bafana Bafana draw

The Eagles of Carthage needed a win in their third Group E match against South Africa on Wednesday to progress to the last 16 but were ultimately held to a goalless draw.

They ended bottom of their group, having started their campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat to Namibia, before an improved 1-1 draw with leaders Mali.

However, with the pressure to collect all three points against Bafana, the 2004 continental champions again failed to find the back of the net and ultimately succumbed to their worst AFCON showing since 2002.

He joins the coaches of hosts Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria to leave their posts on Wednesday.

Kadri announced his decision immediately after the midweek game, telling the media in Korhogo: “This is my decision, which is in my contract.

“My contract included a mandate to reach the semi-finals and, because we haven’t made that, the contract is terminated.”

The 52-year-old, who took over after Tunisia’s 2021 quarter-final exit in Cameroon two years ago, accepted responsibility for their failed campaign.

“The defeat against Namibia in the first match affected us psychologically, and we shouldn’t have lost. We improved against Mali, and against South Africa, but we were not efficient in attack,” he concluded.

Africa Cup of Nations second round fixtures

Saturday 27 January

SR1: Angola vs 3rd Place Group E/F, Bouake (17:00)

SR2: Nigeria vs Cameroon, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Sunday 28 January

SR3: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

SR4: Egypt vs Group F Second Place, San Pedro (20:00)

Monday 29 January

SR5: Cape Verde vs Mauritania, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

SR6: Senegal vs 3rd Place Group A/F, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

Tuesday 30 January

SR7: Group E Winner vs Burkina Faso, Korhogo (17:00)

SR8: Group F Winner vs Group E Second Place, San Pedro (20:00)

Quarter-finals

Friday 2 February

QF1: Winner SR2 vs Winner RS1, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)

QF2: Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Saturday 3 February

QF3: Winner SR7 vs Winner RS6, Bouake (17:00)

QF4: Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8, Yamoussoukro (20:00)

BBC to show two quarter-finals – broadcast details to be announced.

Semi-finals

Wednesday 7 February

SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Bouake (17:00, live on BBC)

SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00, live on BBC)

Third place play-off

Saturday 10 February

SF1 vs SF2 losers, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

Final

Sunday 11 February

SF1 vs SF2 winners, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00, live on BBC)

Story by BBC sports

Afcon 2023: TV coverage, fixtures, schedule, format, groups and kick-off times

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is reaching the end of a group stage that has produced shock results and dramatic finales aplenty.

Yet hosts Ivory Coast are in danger of leaving their own party early, joining other continental heavyweights in falling by the wayside at a tournament that has seen thrills, spills and some unexpected twists.

Four-time winners Ghana and 2019 champions Algeria have already made shock early exits and the Elephants – who are staging the finals for the second time and finished third in their group – face a nervous wait to see if they will follow them.

Holders Senegal have eased through, but it has been a tournament for the underdogs with Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde unexpectedly topping tough groups and several other minnows taking points off the established order.

The BBC is showing 10 games live in the UK during the finals, with BBC Three broadcasting the Group F clash between Zambia and Morocco on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), while the World Football at Afcon will publish round-up podcasts after every matchday.

But when are the other remaining group fixtures? What is the format of the tournament? Where are matches being played and when do they kick off?

BBC Sport Africa provides you with all the information on the 34th edition of Africa’s biggest sporting event.

What are the groups?

The 24 teams were split into six groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advancing to the last 16.

Four places in the knock-out stages are set to be decided on Wednesday, with Mali and Morocco already through before their final games.

Morocco, who became the first side from the continent to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022, are the highest African nation in the world rankings (13th) – but have not won a Nations Cup since 1976.

Ivory Coast could go through on three points, but need results in the final round of matches in Groups E and F to go their way.

Group A final standings: Equatorial Guinea (Q), Nigeria (Q), Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau.

Group B final standings: Cape Verde (Q), Egypt (Q), Ghana, Mozambique.

Group C final standings: Senegal (Q), Cameroon (Q), Guinea (Q), The Gambia.

Group D final standings: Angola (Q), Burkina Faso (Q), Mauritania (Q), Algeria.

Group E: Mali (Q), South Africa, Namibia, Tunisia.

Group F: Morocco (Q), DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

Story by bbc sports

Mauritania pull off historic upset against Algeria at AFCON 2023

Minnows Mauritania pulled off a historic upset against two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners Algeria, claiming a 1-0 victory that sends them through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Centre-back Yali Dellahi scored the winning goal late in the first half, leaving Algeria stunned and eliminated from the competition.

Mauritania’s victory marks their first-ever win at the AFCON finals, and they will now face surprise Group B winners Cape Verde in the last 16 at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday.

Algeria, on the other hand, joins fellow former champions Ghana in being eliminated from the tournament, after results earlier on Tuesday confirmed that the Black Stars cannot qualify as one of the top four third-placed sides.

The Lions of Chinguetti had to withstand intense pressure from Algeria in the closing stages of the match, surviving more than 11 minutes of stoppage time as the Desert Foxes searched for a levelling goal that would have sent them through at Mauritania’s expense.

However, the underdogs held firm, defending resolutely to secure a famous victory that sends them into the knockout phases alongside second-placed Burkina Faso and Angola, who sealed the top spot in the group by defeating the Burkinabe 2-0.

Mauritania’s historic win over Algeria has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable knockout stage at AFCON 2023.

story by ghanasoccernet

GFA announces roadmap for Black Stars’ future following AFCON 2023 exit

GFA announces roadmap for Black Stars’ future following AFCON 2023 exit

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that Chris Hughton and his entire technical team have been dismissed from their roles as coaches of the senior national team, the Black Stars, following the team’s dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision comes after Ghana failed to win their final group game against Mozambique, drawing 2-2 and consequently crashing out of the tournament in the first round.

Hughton, who was appointed as head coach in February 2023, had a win-loss-draw ratio of 30.77%, 30.77%, and 38.46% in all competitions during his nearly one-year tenure. The team scored 13 goals under his leadership, averaging one goal per match while conceding 16 times.

Assistant coaches George Boateng and Didi Dramani, goalkeepers’ coach Richard Kingston, and other members of the technical team are also leaving their positions. The GFA has stated that it will provide a roadmap for the future direction of the Black Stars in the coming days.

Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has sparked criticism and concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. The GFA’s decision to dissolve the technical team is seen as a move to address these issues and restore the team’s credibility.

The Black Stars have struggled in recent years, failing to replicate their successes of the past. The team’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has prompted calls for change and a renewed focus on developing young talent.

The GFA is expected to appoint a new head coach and technical team in the near future, with speculation already surrounding potential candidates.

Fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the association’s roadmap for the Black Stars, hoping that it will signal a fresh start for the team and a return to glory.

West Ham close in on the signing of Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Osman

West Ham United are in advance stages of negotiations with FC Nordsjaelland over the signing of Ghanaian teen Ibrahim Osman. 

The Hammers and the Danish outfit are reportedly closing in on an 18 million Euros transfer of the Right to Dream Academy to the English Premier League.

Osman, who has been on the radar of several clubs, including Crystal Palace and Fulham could join former FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Mohammed Kudus at the London Olympic Stadium.

The winger is currently with his Nordsjaelland teammates in the United States preparing for the upcoming Danish

Ghana FA Cup: Skyy FC edge out Ebusua Dwarfs to progress into semis

Skyy FC secured a spot in the semifinals of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over fellow Division One side Ebusua Dwarfs at the St. Martins Park in Daboase on Sunday, April 9 2023.

Skyy took an early lead after just 2 minutes of play through Eric Antwi Konadu.

Dwarfs were bent on restoring parity but Skyy proved why they were top of the standings by holding on to that solitary goal to secure qualification.

Skyy reproduced their scintillating form in the Division One League to reach Last 4 of the competition after they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual champions, Hearts of Oak.

They look set to cause an upset in the next stage as they remain the only Division One team left in the competition alongside Dreams FC, Nsoatreman and King Faisal who are their next opponents.

Andre Ayew sets up fund to support Ghanaian students in several cities

Ghanaian football star Andre Ayew has once again demonstrated his commitment to supporting education in his home country by setting up a fund to look after Ghanaian students in every city he live in.

The fund, which has been established in cities such as Marseille, Swansea, Istanbul, Doha, and now Nottingham, provides financial assistance to Ghanaian students who are studying in these cities.

Ayew, who is currently playing for Nottingham Forest in the English Championship, has always been passionate about education and has previously set up similar funds in other cities where he has played.

The funds have provided a lifeline for many Ghanaian students who would have otherwise struggled to make ends meet while studying abroad.

Ayew’s generosity has been praised by many in Ghana, with some calling on other successful Ghanaians to follow his example and support education in the country.

The 33-year-old is Ghana’s most-capped player and is the current captain of the national team which he has been playing since 2007.

Premier League ‘stay’ is King Faisal’s Top priority despite reaching FA Cup semis – Godwin Ablordey reveals

King Faisal No. 2 Godwin Ablordey has stated that avoiding relegation remains their main objective for now and not the FA Cup trophy.

Faisal booked a spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after edging out Aduana Stars on penalties on Sunday.

Aduana FC took the lead five minutes before half-time through defender Stephen Anokye Badu. In the 47th minute, Asiamah was brought down in the box and Abdul Latif successfully converted the penalty to make it 1-1.

Frank Owusu made it 2-1 for The Fire Boys in the 75th minute, but King Faisal succeeded in getting the equalizer through the in-form striker Benjamin Bature in the 78th minute.With the score locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the match was pushed into extra time.

The extra 30 minutes failed to see any more goals, and the match was decided in a penalty shootout. King Faisal won by 3-1.

In the Premier League, the ‘Insha Allah’ Boys are currently 11th on the League standings with 32 points, 4 points adrift the relegation zone. Ablordey maintains they must make the league a priority to steer clear the drop zone.

“I’m not thinking about FA Cup. I’m thinking about the league because we have to stay in the league. FA Cup when you are out you can still play so we are just concentrating on the league so that we make sure we stay in the league. So this is our focus now. FA Cup, we are going to the semi-finals but it’s down. We are thinking of the league now,” he told StarTimes.

King Faisal host Dreams FC when they return to league play on April 16 2023.

By Suleman Asante