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Togo withdraw from Africa Cup of Nations

Togo have pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations following a deadly gun attack on their team bus in Angola.

Reports suggest three non-playing staff, including the coach driver have died. Two players were shot and injured in the attack in Cabinda on Friday.

Organisers insist the tournament will go ahead and are stepping up security.

But Togo midfielder Alaixys Romao told French paper L'Equipe: "We're talking to the other teams in our group to try to convince them to boycott too."

Togo were due to play Ghana in their opening match in Cabinda on Monday and the Black Stars players have confirmed they are happy for the tournament to go ahead.

Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso are the other teams in Group B.

Togo coach Hubert Velud told French radio station RMC that he thought the Angolan authorities should consider cancelling the entire tournament.

"We can at least pose ourselves that question," he said. ""It's an act of barbarism while we are here to celebrate African football.

"We left the hospital a short time ago to come to the centre for the teams in the competition. We stayed in the hospital a long time so that we could be very united.

"In these situations you become a bit paranoid, you doubt everything. We don't feel that the authorities are taking this very seriously."

Togo captain, and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor said on Friday many players wanted to go home.

He told BBC Afrique: "It's a football game, it's one of the biggest tournaments in Africa and a lot of people would love to be in our position but I don't think anybody would be prepared to give their life.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm

African elite set to do battle

Every two years, the CAF African Cup of Nations sheds a vibrant light on the passions roused by the beautiful game in Africa. Tucked in at the start of the calendar year, the upcoming edition in Angola could almost be mistaken for a late Christmas present, with former winners Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia all eager to boost their trophy tally when the actions gets underway between 10 and 31 January.

Adding spice to the mix, the first ever FIFA World Cup™ to be held on African soil now lies just five months away, all of which should make for a special atmosphere around the host cities of Luanda, Cabinda, Benguela and Lubango.

FIFA.com now takes a closer look at the five South Africa 2010 contenders gearing up to vie for honours in Angola, a list of sides that excludes Bafana Bafana themselves after they failed to seal their place. From favourites to outsiders, all will be hoping to make an early statement.

Tipped for glory
Cameroon: The highest placed African team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Indomitable Lions nonetheless struggled before finally sealing their passage to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having lived through a difficult spell after losing the 2008 African Cup of Nations final 1-0 to Egypt. They took just one point from their first two outings in the last round of qualifiers and opted for a change of coach, replacing Otto Pfister with Paul Le Guen and earning reward for that decision when the former Lyon trainer helped them end their campaign with a run of four impressive wins.

With Samuel Eto’o at the summit of his art and captain of a side boasting gifted and combative youngsters like Alexandre Song and Stephane Mbia, the Lions can certainly afford to be optimistic. “You can’t say that the African Cup of Nations is a warm-up for the World Cup,” explained Le Guen recently. “It’s a competition you need to go into with a lot of ambition. We want to do well, go as far as possible and why not come out winners?”

Ghana: Since marking their first ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance with some eye-catching displays in Germany four years ago, when they ultimately fell to Brazil in the Round of 16, the Black Stars have continued their upward trajectory. Hosts of the African Cup of Nations under Claude Le Roy in 2008, they came in third – their best finish since losing the 1992 final – and the appointment of coach Milovan Rajevac in the wake of that tournament further fuelled their progress.

Led by European-based talents such as Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan and Richard Kingson, Ghana were unstoppable in qualifying and were one of the first teams to stamp their ticket. That was shortly followed by a global title for their U-20 squad, which will be well-represented in Angola with adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Shoe winner Dominic Adiyiah joined by seven of his team-mates from Egypt, including Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Andre Ayew.

Eager to impress
Algeria: Until a few months ago, the once-regal Fennecs (Desert Foxes) still seemed to be hibernating. Absent from the two previous editions of the African Cup of Nations, they had only memories of their heyday in the 1980s to give them hope, but that all changed with their almost perfect route through qualifying for South Africa 2010, which culminated in a dramatic duel with Egypt, continental champions twice in a row.

“It won’t be easy because all of the qualified teams are excellent,” explained coach Rabah Saadane. “We want to go as far as we can in this competition, which will be a crucial preparation for the World Cup.” Once their bid in Angola begins, the likes of Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj, Karim Matmour and Abdelkader Ghezzal will set out to show why they have been making such a name for themselves of late.

Côte d'Ivoire: A quick glimpse at the list of players available to coach Vahid Halilhodzic makes it obvious why the Elephants are considered among the true heavyweights of African football. Emmanuel Eboue, Yaya Toure, Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba: all ply their trade at powerhouse European clubs. Getting those illustrious individuals to function as a team is a different matter altogether, however, as the 2008 African Cup of Nations highlighted all too clearly.

Tipped to go all the way and impressive on their route to the semi-finals – winning their first four games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one – Gerard Gili’s men then suffered a heavy 4-1 reverse at the hands of Egypt and were promptly beaten 4-2 by Ghana in the match for third place. Their supporters unsurprisingly expect better this time out and the players themselves are motivated to deliver. “We’ll fight with honour and dignity to win,” said Drogba.

Desperate for encouragement
Nigeria: The third highest African team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and the only side from the continent along with Cameroon to have reached four of the last five FIFA World Cup finals, Nigeria have nonetheless lost much of their lustre in recent years. The likes of Rasheed Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh have given way to Onyekachi Apam, Taye Taiwo, John Obi Mikel and Obafemi Martins, a skilled crop of players who have yet to find any sort of consistency.

There is a lack of competition for places too, best illustrated by the continued importance of 33-year-old Nwankwo Kanu to coach Shaibu Amodu’s plans, and the Super Eagles needed to dig deep to attain their place at South Africa 2010, having missed out on Germany 2006 and finished uninspiring quarter-finalists at the 2008 African Cup of Nations. Angola therefore represents a perfect chance to silence the critics, with the under-pressure Amodu daring look no further ahead than the continental showcase, which Nigeria have not won since 1994. “My principal concern is the African Cup,” he said. “Only after that will I think about the World Cup.”

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1154978.html#african+elite+battle

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Gears Of War 2

Statistics: Orange Africa Cup of Nations

Number of players playing in their national championship:
Egypt: 19
Tunisia: 16
Mozambique: 12
Angola: 11
Algeria, Malawi: 9
Benin, Zambia: 5
Gabon, Ghana: 3
Mali, Togo: 2
Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire: 1
Cameroon, Nigeria 0

TOTAL: 98 players

Number of players playing outside their country of origin
France: 67
England: 26
South Africa: 23
Germany: 21
Spain: 12
Portugal: 9
Israel, Italy, Russia, Turkey: 7
Egypt, Netherlands, Switzerland: 6
Cyprus, Qatar, Romania: 4
Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Scotland, Libya, Moldova, Sweden, Tunisia: 3
China, UAE, Hungary, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, DR Congo: 2
Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Greece, Ireland, Macedonia, Morocco, Mozambique, Czech Republic, Sudan, Ukraine: 1
TOTAL: 267 players

3 of the 368 players in Angola are currently without a club.
72.55% of players at 2010 ANGOLA move out of their country

Older Players
Essam El Hadary (Egypt) born 15/01/1973
Bucuane Manuel "Tico Tico (Mozambique) born 16/08/1973
Mohamed El Zaqqa (Egypt) born 30/01/1974
Adel Nefzi (Tunisia) born 10/03/1974
Nelinho (Mozambique) born 18/05/1974

Young Players
Emmanuel Mbola (Zambia) born 10/05/1993 or 16 years 8 months and 6 days from the date of January 13, the first game against Tunisia
Germain Moussa Sanou (Burkina Faso) born 26/05/1992
Joel Matip (Cameroon) born 08/08/1991
Mouftaou Adou (Benin) born 10/04/1991

Players who will celebrate birthdays at Orange CAN 2010
January 13: Souleymane Bamba (Côte d'Ivoire), 25
January 15: Essam El Hadary (Egypt), 37
Otshudi Lama (Mozambique), 25
January 17: Abdou Traore (Mali), 22
January 18: Bino (Mozambique), 21
January 20: Elderson Echiejile (Nigeria), 22
Karim Haggui (Tunisia), 26
Adama Sawadogo (Burkina Faso), 20
Achille Webo (Cameroon), 28
January 22: Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Mali), 25
January 23: Abdelmalek Ziaya (Algeria), 26
January 24: Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast), 26
Dario Khan (Mozambique), 29
Stelvio (Angola), 21
January 25: Ali Mohamed Nafkha (Tunisia), 24
January 26: Moustapha Yattabare (Mali), 24
January 28: Issam Jemaa (Tunisia), 26
January 29: A Tchoyi Somen (Cameroon), 27
January 30: Souleymane Diamoutiéné (Mali), 27
Mohamed El Zaqqa (Egypt), 36

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/news/4190-statistics-orange-africa-cup-of-nations.html

Super eagles arrive, optimistic.

One of Africa’s five world cup qualifiers the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Friday at 5.15 pm, touched down at the Luanda international airport, aboard a chartered air craft from Durban South Africa where they had gone to prepare for the competition, hopeful of a good outing in the Orange CAF Africa Nations Cup.

Led by coach Amodu Shaibu, most of the staff at the airport stopped work briefly to herald the star studded Nigerian team, with Portsmouth of England striker Nwankwo Kanu receiving the greatest attention.

Other players who were the cynosure of excited airport staff included John Mikel Obi of Chelsea, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Yobo of Everton, Osaze Odenwigie and Taiye Taiwo of Olympic Marseille.
Coach Shuaibu told the press at the airport that he was happy with the quality of work that was done in Durban and he believed Nigeria will give a good account of herself as always.

The team then connected another flight to their group b base in benguela where they will play their opening match on January 12 against defending champions the pharaohs of Egypt. Other teams in the group are Mozambique and Benin.

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/news/4193-super-eagles-arrive-optimistic.html

Africa Cup of Nations ready for kick-off

[b]Venue and dates: [/b]Angola, 10-31 January
Coverage: Final and semi-finals live on BBC TV, BBC World Service and commentaries on BBC Sport website.
Live commentary on opening match on BBC World Service and BBC Sport website


Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure thinks his team are justified as favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on Sunday in Angola.

In the semi-finals two years ago, the Elephants were thumped 4-1 by Egypt who went on to beat Cameroon in the final.

But Manchester City star Toure told BBC Sport: "It's going to be really tough but with all the good players we have, we can break anyone."

The tournament begins with hosts Angola playing a strongly fancied Mali team.

They too will be looking to make amends after a poor 2008 Nations Cup which saw them exit at the group stage.

Mali can boast one of the best midfields of the 27th edition of the tournament which will act as a perfect warm-up before Africa hosts the World Cup for the first time in June.

The Mali team, like defending champions Egypt, will miss out on football's global showpiece event in South Africa and will rely on the likes of Barcelona's Seydou Keita, Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko, Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra and Seville striker Frederic Kanoute.

But it is the Ivory Coast squad which is most enviable, with Toure joined in Angola by his brother Yaya from Barcelona, as well as Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue and Pompey striker Aruna Dindane.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8446504.stm

tkb417:
thts what ive been tryin to paste
spambot, u dey crase o

LOL!

Sorry tkb417, just checking in now. . .Let the fantasy game begin!!!

But mehn, this Togo fiasco na real yawa! SCARY!!!

Happy Baiday Debo!

Thank You Lord!!!

Things are changing in the local league. At least, some away teams were able to snatch away wins.
We will get there. . .defo!!!

Nigeria’ll decide our fate – Egypt

Egypt‘s national team captain Ahmed Hassan believes the outcome of the Pharaohs‘ opening Africa Cup of Nations clash against Nigeria will set the tone for his side‘s chances during the rest of the tournament.

”Opening games are always very important,” the skipper told Modern Sport on Wednesday.

”Our match against Nigeria will show how we will perform in the following matches, just like the 2008 tournament.”

Two years ago, the Pharaohs secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Cameroun in their first game and went on to clinch a record-extending sixth Nations Cup title.

They begin the defence of their title against two-time winners Nigeria, who will also play in the World Cup later this year, on Tuesday in the Angolan city of Benguela.

”Nigeria is a strong team, but we are now familiar with all African teams,” Hassan said.

The veteran Ahli midfielder, who was voted the best player in the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt, is set to make an eighth appearance at the biennial tournament, a record he will share with Cameroun defender Rigobert Song.

http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201001082264917

Drogba nets lone goal against Tanzania

Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba needed a 37th minute opportunity to score for his side in an International build-up match against hosts Tanzania at the new National stadium in Dar el salaam on Monday night.
Played infront of a nearly packed 60,000-seater stadium, Taifa Stars of Tanzania gave a good account of themselves against a star studded Ivory Coast side, but still failed to register a win. The home side had two missed open chances by Mrisho Ngassa and Jerson Tegete.

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/news/4157-drogba-nets-lone-goal-against-tanzania.html

Gentlemen, permit me to move this to the joke section!

GROUP D:

Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Guy Roland N’Dy Assembe (Valenciennes, France), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol, Spain), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor, Turkey)
Defenders: Henri Bedimo (Chateauroux, France), Andre Bikey (Burnley, England), Gilles Binya (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland), Geremi (Newcastle United, England), Joel Matip (Schalke 04, Germany), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco, France), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Midfielders: Aurelien Chedjou (Lille, France), Enoh Eyong (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jean Makoun (Olympique Lyon, France), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Stephane Mbia (Olympique Marseille, France), Landry Nguemo (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Alexandre Song (Arsenal, England)
Forwards: Paul Alo'o Efoulou (Nancy,France), Achille Emana (Real Betis, Spain), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan, Italy), Mohamadou Idrissou (SC Freiburg, Germany), Somen Tchoyi (Salzburg, Austria), Achille Webo (Mallorca, Spain)

Gabon
Goalkeepers: Yves Bitseki Moto (US Bitam), Claude Boris Nguema (Telestars), Didier Ovono (Le Mans, France)
Defenders: Ernest Akouassaga (Nantes, France), Georges Ambourouet (Makedonija Skopje, Macedonia), Moise Brou Apanga (Brest, France), Arsene do Marcolino (Les Herbiers, France), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Angers, France), Rodrigue Moudounga (Mangasport), Erwin Nguema (Coton Sport, Cameroon)
Midfielders: Alain Djissikadie (TP Mazembe Englebert, DR Congo), Thierry Issiemou (US Monastir, Tunisia), Paul Kessany (Istres, France), Bruno Zita Mbanangoye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Cedric Moubamba (Dhofar, Oman), Stephane Nguema (Stade Rennes, France), Jean Stephane Yessi Achi Aman (Mangasport)
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (OSC Lille, France), Willy Aubameyang (Eupen, Belgium), Daniel Cousin (Hull City, England), Fabrice do Marcolino (Laval, France), Roguy Meye (Ankaraspor, Turkey), Eric Mouloungui (Nice, France)

Tunisia
Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha (CA Bizerte), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel), Adel Nefzi (Club Africain)
Defenders: Yassine Mikari (Sochaux, France), Souhail Ben Radhia (Etoile Sahel), Khelil Chammam (Esperance), Radhouene Felhi (1860 Munich, Germany), Karim Haggui (Hannover 96, Germany), Bilel Ifa (Club Africain), Ammar Jemel (Etoile Sahel), Khaled Souissi (Club Africain)
Midfielders: Chaouki Ben Saada (Nice, France), Oussama Darragi (Esperance), Chadi Hammami (CS Sfaxien), Khaled Korbi (Esperance), Haithem Mrabet (CS Sfaxien), Mohamed Ali Nafkha (Etoile Sahel), Hocine Ragued (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
Forwards: Ahmed Akaichi (Etoile Sahel), Amine Chermiti (Al Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Zouheir Dhaouadi (Club Africain), Issam Jomaa (Racing Lens, France), Youssef Msakni (Esperance)

Zambia
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Kalililo Kakonje (AmaZulu, South Africa), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa)
Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kampamba Chintu (AmaZulu, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde (Zesco United), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia), Joseph Musonda (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco)
Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (Uniao Leiria, Portugal), Francis Kasonde (Al Suwaiq, Oman), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), William Njobvu (Hapoel Kiryat Shmone, Israel), Stophira Sunzu (Zanaco)
Forwards: James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe Englebert, DR Congo).

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13115

GROUP C:

Benin
Goalkeepers: Yoann Djidonou (Libourne, France), Rachad Chitou (Wikki Tourists, Nigeria), Valere Amoussou (Mogas ‘90)
Defenders: Khaled Adenon (Bastia, France), Mouftaou Adou (Port Autonome), Damien Chrysostome (Denizlispor, Turkey), Emmanuel Imorou (Gueugnon, France), Reda Johnson (Plymouth Argyle, England), Junior Salomon (Port Autonome), Félicien Singbo (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
Midfielders: Gerard Adanhoume (Soleil Cotonou), Jocelyn Ahoueya (FC Sion, Switzerland), Pascal Angan (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Romuald Boco (Sligo Rovers, Ireland), Djiman Koukou (Evian-TG, France), Seidath Tchomogo (East Riffa, Bahrain), Nouhoum Kobena (Al Madina, Libya), Mouri Ogoubiyi (En Avant Guingamp, France), Arnaud Seka (Tonnerre Bohicon), Stephane Sessegnon (Paris St Germain, France)
Forwards: Mohamed Aoudou (Evian-TG, France), Razak Omotoyossi (FC Metz, France), Mickael Pote (Nice, France)

Egypt
Goalkeepers: Essam Al Hadari (Ismaili), Abdelwahed Al Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Aboulsaoud (Mansoura)
Defenders: Mohamed Abdelshafi 
(Zamalek), Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI), Abdelzaher Al Saqqa 
(Eskisehirspor, Turkey), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad (all Al Ahli), Hani Said (Zamalek), Moatasem Salem (Ismaili)
Midfielders: Hosni Abd Rabou (Al Ahli Dubai, United Arab Emirates), Hossam Ghali (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Nagui 
(Ittihad), Ahmed Hassan (Al Ahli), Mahmoud Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdelaziz Tawfiq (ENPPI)
Forwards: Ahmed Eid (Haras Hodoud), Sayed Hamdi (Petrojet), Emad Motaeb (Al Ahli), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Mozambique
Goalkeepers: Bino (Liga Muculmana), Kampango (Tersana, Egypt), Lama (Liga Muculmana)
Defenders: Campira (Desportivo Maputo), Dario Khan (Al Kharitiyah, Qatar), Fanuel (Liga Muculmana), Mexer (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Miro (Platinum Stars, South Africa), Paito (FC Sion, Switzerland), Simao (Panathinaikos, Greece), Whisky (Ferroviario Maputo), Zainadine Junior (Desportivo Maputo)
Midfielders: Danito Parraque (Ferroviario Maputo), Dominques (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Genito (Nea Salamina, Cyprus), Goncalves Fumo (Olympiakos, Cyprus), Josimar (Costa dol Sol), Momed Hagy (Ferroviario Maputo), Nelinho (Desportivo Maputo), Ze Luis (Baladeyet Al Mahalla, Egypt)
Forwards: Helder Pelembe (Maxaquene), Dario Monteiro (SuperSport United, South Africa), Tico-Tico (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa)

Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel)
Defenders: Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes, France), Yusuf Mohammed, Obinna Nwaneri (both FC Sion, Switzerland), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England)
Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Sani Kaita (Lolomotiv Moscow, Russia), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain)
Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan, Italy), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13115

GROUP B:

Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers: Daouda Diakite (Arab Contractors, Egypt), Germain Sanou (Centre St Etienne de Bobo), Adama Sawadogo (ASFA Yennega)
Defenders: Ibrahim Gnanou (Alania Vladiskavkaz, Russia), Bakary Kone (En Avant Guingamp, France), Paul Koulibaly (Al Ittihad Tripoli, Libya), Moussa Ouattara (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Madi Panandetiguiri, Mamadou Tall (both Uniao Leiria, Portugal).
Midfielders: Wilfried Balima (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldavia), Charles Kabore (Olympique Marseille, France), Mahamoudou Kere (Charleroi, Belgium), Mohamed Koffi (Petrojet, Egypt), Abdoul Aziz Nikiema (Qingdao Jonoon, China), Jonathan Pitroipa (Hamburg, Germany), Florent Rouamba (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldavia), Wilfred Sanou (FC Cologne, Germany), Narcisse Yameogo (Mugan, Azerbaidjan)
Forwards: Habib Bamogo (Nice, France), Moumouni Dagano (Al Khor, Qatar), Yssouf Kone (CFR Cluj, Romania), Youssouf Ouattara (Uniao Leiria, Portugal), Patrick Zoundi (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Ghana
Goalkeepers: Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic, England), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak)
Defenders: Eric Addo (Roda JC, Netherlands), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Samuel Inkoom (FC Basle, Switzerland), Jonathan Mensah (Udinese, Italy), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria, Italy), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Dede Ayew (Arles-Avignon, France), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt), Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France)
Forwards: Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad, Norway), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Netherlands), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Asamoah Gyan (Stade Rennes, France), Ransford Osei (FC Twente, Netherlands)

Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Vincent Angban (ASEC Abidjan), Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, Belgium), Aristide Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya Israel)
Defenders: Benjamin Angoua (Kispest Honved, Hungary), Souleyman Bamba (Hibernian, Scotland), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Guy Demel (Hamburg, Germany), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal, England), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion, England), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes, France), Kolo Toure (Manchester City, England)
Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Nice, France), Jean-Jacques Gosso (Monaco, France), Emmanuel Kouamatien Kone (FC Curtea Arges, Romania), Cheik Tiote (FC Twente, Netherlands), Yaya Toure (Barcelona, Spain), Didier Zokora (Sevilla, Spain)
Forwards: Aruna Dindane (Portsmouth, England), Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (both Chelsea, England), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray, France), Bakary Kone (Olympique Marseille, France), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille, France)

Togo
Goalkeepers: Kossi Agassa (Istres, France), Kodjovi Obilale (Pontivy, France). Baba Tchagouni (Dijon, France)
Defenders: Serge Akakpo (Vaslui, Romania), Boussari Akinsola (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria), Eric Akoto (Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, Israel), Vincent Bossou (Maranatha Fiokpo), Kakla Eninful (US Monastir, Tunisia), Richmond Forson (Thouars, France), Abdoul Gafar Mamah (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldovia), Assimiou Toure (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Midfielders: Komlan Amewou (Stromgodset, Norway), Guillaume Brenner (Alki, Cyprus), Floyd Ayite (Nancy, France), Thomas Dossevi (Nantes, France), Serge Gakpe (Monaco, France), Sapool Mani (Al Ittihad, Libya), Alaixys Romao (Grenoble, France), Moustapha Salifou (Aston Villa, England), Junior Yao Seneya (Dubaa Al Husun, United Arab Emirates)
Forwards: Jonathan Ayite (Nimes, France), Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, England), Liyabe Kpatoumbi (ASKO Kara)

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13115

Nations Cup Squads

Collated list of squads for the African Nations Cup finals, which kick off in Angola on January 10.

GROUP A:

Angola
Goalkeepers: Carlos Fernandes (Rio Ave, Portugal), Lama (Petro Atletico), Wilson (Recreativo Caala)
Defenders: Dias Caires (Sagrada Esperanca), Enoque (Santos), Jamuana (Petro Atletico), Kali (Arles-Avignon, France), Mabina (Petro Atletico), Rui Marques (Leeds United, England), Stelvio (Uniao Leiria, Portugal)
Midfielders: David (Petro Atletico), Dede (Arles-Avignon, France), Djalma (Maritimo, Portugal), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Job, Xara (both Petro Atletico), Ze Kalanga (Dinamo Bucharest, Romania), Zuela (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia)
Forwards: Flavio (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Johnson Makaba (Recreativo Libolo), Love (Primeiro Agosto), Mantorras (Benfica, Portugal), Manucho (Real Valladolid, Spain)

Algeria
Goalkeepers: Fawzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mohamed Amine Zemamouche (Mouloudia Alger)
Defenders: Reda Babouche (Mouloudia Algiers), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth, England), Madjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional, Portugal), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Slimane Raho (Entente Setif), Anthar Yahia (VfL Bochum, Germany), Samir Zaoui (ASO Chlef)
Midfielders: Djamal Abdoun (Nantes, France), Yacine Bezzaz (Racing Strasbourg, France), Hameur Bouazza (Blackpool, England), Khaled Lemmouchia (Entente Setif), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient, France), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Mourad Meghni (Lazio, Italy), Hassen Yebda (Portsmouth, England), Karim Ziani (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany)
Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena, Italy), Rafik Saifi (Al Khor, Qatar), Abdelmalik Ziaya (Entente Setif)

Malawi
Goalkeepers: Simplex Nthala (Wanderers), Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos, South Africa), Charles Swini (ESCOM United)
Defenders: Moses Chavula (Nathi Lions, South Africa), Elvis Kafoteka (ESCOM United), Allan Kamanga (Dynamos, South Africa), Peter Mponda (Black Leopards, South Africa), Maupo Msowoya (ESCOM United), Harry Nyirenda (Wanderers), James Sangala (Primeiro Agosto, Angola)
Midfielders: Davie Banda (Red Lions), Joseph Kamwendo (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Fisher Kondowe (Black Leopards, South Africa), Hellings Mwakasungula (Silver Strikers), Robert Ngambi (Black Leopards, South Africa), Jacob Ngwira (Carara Kicks, South Africa), Peter Wadabwa (Thanda Royals Zulu, South Africa)
Forwards: Esau Kanyenda (FC Kamaz, Russia), Chiukepo Msowoya (Deportivo Muculmana,, Mozambique), Russell Mwafulirwa (IFK Norrkoping, Sweden), Victor Nyirenda (ESCOM United), Atusaye Nyondo (Carara Kicks, South Africa), Jimmy Zakazaka (Bay United, South Africa)

Mali
Goalkeepers: Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien), Mahamadou Sidibe (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France)
Defenders: Souleymane Diamountene (Bari, Italy), Ousmane Berthe (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa), Abdoulaye Maiga (Stade Malien), Bakary Soumare (Boulogne-sur-Mer, France), Adama Tamboura (Helsingborg, Sweden)
Midfielders: Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid, Spain), Lassana Fane (Al Merreikh, Sudan), Seydou Keita (Barcelona, Spain), Momo Sissoko (Juventus, Italy), Samba Sow (Racing Lens, France), Abdoul Traore (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Bakaye Traore (Nancy, France), Mahamane Traore (Nice, France)
Forwards: Mamadou Bagayoko (Nice, France), Mamadou Diallo (Le Havre, France), Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla, Spain), Modibo Maiga (Le Mans, France), Tenema Ndiaye (Nantes, France), Mamadou Samassa (Valenciennes, France), Mustapha Yatabare (Clermont Foot, France)

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13115

Nigeria, Zambia to meet Wednesday

Nigeria's Super Eagles and Zambia's Chipolopolo have reached an agreement to play a friendly ahead of the African Nations Cup starting next week in Angola.
The game will be played on Wednesday at the Absa Stadium in Durban, but will be played behind closed doors, as both sides look to fine-tune tactics for the competition.

Super Eagles media officer Idah Peterside and Football Association of Zambia President Kalusha Bwalya both confirmed the development late on Monday night, following a long meeting between both parties.

"We had a meeting and both sides have agreed to play the match," Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com.
"The game will be played behind closed doors at 4pm South African time in Durban. But both teams agreed that it will be behind closed doors."

Bwalya said that his side were excited about the prospect of playing the Super Eagles.

"Yes, it’s correct that we have come to an agreement about the friendly match. Chipolopolo are looking forward to Wednesday," he told KickOffNigeria.com.

Nigeria defeated Zambia, captained by Bwalya, in 1994 to lift the Africa Cup of Nations.

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13122

It was a game Celtic should have won! They had loads of chances!!!

Mo gbe Yin ga Baba Oga Ogo!!!

Really? Very funny! Ain't you the same set of people shouting Nigeria will not qualify for the world cup?
Guess y'all know what later happened?!

Expect the unexpected!!!

Eagles Land in Durban, Begin Training at Sharks Stadium

Nigeria’s glory seeking Super Eagles touched down in Durban in the early hours of yesterday and had a light work out at the ABSA Sharks Stadium to shake off jet lag. Sixteen players, including dropped Greg Etafia and Bnei Yehuda of Israel goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba who arrived in the afternoon set the Eagles camp at the four-star Riverside Hotel in business mood.


Camp sources revealed last night that Coach Shaibu Amodu and his wards are happy with the pre tournament arrangements for the team in Durban and are ready to reward the gesture with right results when Eagles open their campaign against the Pharaohs of Egypt on January 12 in Benguela.


“As I speak to you now, the players and officials who arrived South Africa in the early hours of today (Thursday) are in good mood. Even though they had a winding journey, having to fly in from Abuja to Lagos before boarding South Africa Airways to Johannesburg and then connect here, the players are in the kind of mood I have not seen in the boys for a long time,” revealed the top level NFF official who spoke on telephone last night.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=163187