Africa Cup of Nations

Football: Keshi thankful as Nigeria emerge unscathed

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 21:01

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said he was relieved his side had avoided any further injuries after they thrashed minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their opening game at the Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte. Forwards Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Emmanuel Emenike were all ruled out by injury before the tournament, while midfielder Ogenyi Onazi missed Monday's game with a knee problem. Keshi hopes the Lazio player will be available for Thursday's encounter with Uruguay, which is likely to play a significant role in determining whether or not Nigeria progress from Group B.

Football: Nigeria bonus row not resolved, says Enyeama

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 22:01

Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama said on Sunday that the row over bonuses that delayed the squad's arrival at the Confederations Cup had not been resolved, but the players were putting it to the back of their minds. The African champions did not arrive in Brazil until the early hours of Sunday morning, just 36 hours before their Group B opener against minnows Tahiti on Monday, after missing their scheduled flights on Thursday.

Football: Another away win keeps Burkinabe in World Cup race

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 06:42

Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Burkina Faso won away for the second time in seven days Saturday to keep alive hopes of a first World Cup appearance. A 38th-minute goal from Aristide Bance gave the 'Stallions' a 1-0 triumph in Pointe Noire over Congo Brazzaville, who have seen a six-point Group E lead at the start of June shrink to just a single point.

Football: Salah hat-trick keeps Egypt on winning trail

Agence France-PresseJune 9, 2013 16:31

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Egypt whipped Zimbabwe 4-2 Sunday to maintain a perfect 2014 World Cup qualifying record. The 'Pharaohs' top Group G with 12 points from four wins, but will have to wait until next Sunday for a chance to clinch first place after closest rivals Guinea stayed five points behind by hammering Mozambique 6-1 in Conakry. Congo-Brazzaville and Tunisia drew in Gabon and Sierra Leone respectively Saturday, leaving Egypt as the only one of the 40 second-stage competitors boasting a 100 percent record.

Football: Salah hat-trick keeps Egypt on winning trail

Agence France-PresseJune 9, 2013 15:41

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Egypt whipped Zimbabwe 4-2 Sunday to maintain a perfect 2014 World Cup qualifying record. The 'Pharaohs' top Group G with 12 points from four victories and could win it later Sunday if second-place Guinea fail to collect maximum points at home against Mozambique. Congo-Brazzaville and Tunisia drew in Gabon and Sierra Leone respectively Saturday, leaving Egypt as the only one of the 40 second-stage competitors boasting a 100 percent record.

Football: Foe tragedy eclipsed best African showing

Agence France-PresseJune 6, 2013 07:29

The heart-related death of Marc-Vivien Foe, a couple of stunning victories and many defeats has been the lot of Africa in the Confederations Cup. Cameroon midfielder Foe formed a strong spine of the 2003 'Indomitable Lions' with goalkeeper Idriss Kameni, defender Rigobert Song and striker Samuel Eto'o. And the midfielder loaned to Manchester City by Lyon helped his country reach the semi-finals in France before collapsing 72 minutes into the tussle with Colombia.

Football: Liverpool announce Kolo Toure capture

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 14:31

Liverpool revealed on Tuesday that they have agreed to sign Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure when his Manchester City contract expires on July 1. The 32-year-old joined City from Arsenal in a deal reported to be worth £16 million ($24.1 million, 18.7 million euros) in 2009 and was joined at the club by his younger brother, and fellow Ivory Coast international, Yaya Toure a year later. Kolo Toure was initially installed as City captain, but he lost his place in the starting line-up after being handed a six-month ban for failing a drugs test in March 2011.

Football: Eto'o sees Russian Cup win for Anzhi

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 05:03

Anzhi Makahchkala captain Samuel Eto'o has said he is optimistic his side can win the Russian Cup to back up their third-place finish in the league. "I'm really pleased with this season and our results as Anzhi took third place honours," the 32-year-old Cameroun striker told Sport-Express daily on Tuesday. "I also hope we (Anzhi) will have more reasons for celebration after the Russian Cup final this weekend. I believe we are capable of winning this trophy."

Football: Ghana star Wakaso sees red in Spain

Agence France-PresseMay 27, 2013 07:00

Ghana and Espanyol striker Mubarak Wakaso was sent off at the weekend in a 2-0 Catalan derby loss to Spanish champions Barcelona. Wakaso was joint leading scorer on four goals with Nigerian Emmanuel Emenike at the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa. Another Ghana star, Michael Essien of Real Madrid, was yellow carded as Real Sociedad snatched a stoppage-time 3-3 home draw. FRANCE SALOMON KALOU (Lille)

Football:Drogba suffers new Ivory Coast World Cup snub

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 17:00

Veteran striker Didier Drogba was again left out of the Ivory Coast squad when coach Sabri Lamouchi unveiled his 26 players for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Tanzania. The 35-year-old Drogba led his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa this year but the team exited at the quarter-finals stage. As a result, the former Chelsea star was axed from the squad for March's World Cup qualifier against Gambia. Despite Drogba's 96 caps and 60 international goals, Lamouchi has resisted the urge to recall the Galatasaray veteran.