Connect to share and comment

Football: Nigeria trounce Mali to reach Africa Cup final

February 6, 2013 13:31
Nigeria qualified for the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after trouncing Mali 4-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday. The Super Eagles will face the winners of the other semi-final between Ghana and Burkina Faso, scheduled for Nelspruit at 1830GMT, this Sunday at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. Nigeria took the lead on 25 minutes through a diving header inside the box by defender Elderson Echiejile off a low cross by Victor Moses from the right.

Soccer-'Special spirit' keeps Mali focused on final, coach says

February 5, 2013 14:45
By Mike Collett DURBAN, South Africa, Feb 5 (Reuters) - There is a "special spirit" in the Mali squad ahead of their African Nations Cup semi-final against Nigeria, and not just because of the conflict back home, coach Patrice Carteron said on Tuesday. Earlier, Stephen Keshi coach of semi-final opponents Nigeria and himself Mali coach three years ago, said the conflict at home was inspiring the Malians and making them harder to beat.

Football: Keshi excited to face old team Mali

February 5, 2013 11:45
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says he is delighted to come up against former team Mali in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final here on Wednesday. Keshi worked in Mali for two years before being fired after failing to get the team beyond the group phase of the 2010 tournament in Angola. "It's a good feeling because I had two wonderful years in Mali. The Mali people were so nice and I enjoyed my relationship with the players, some of whom have kept in touch," said Keshi on Tuesday.

Soccer-Conflict makes Mali more determined, says Nigeria boss

February 5, 2013 11:15
By Mike Collett DURBAN, South Africa, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The conflict at home has made Mali's players more determined than ever to do well in the Africans Nations Cup, Stephen Keshi, coach of their semi-final opponents Nigeria, said on Tuesday. "It is a great shame what is going on in Mali," said Keshi, who coached the Mali team for two years.

Football: Nigeria aim to stretch unbeaten run against Mali

February 5, 2013 02:31
Nigeria hope to extend an unbeaten run over fellow west Africans Mali when they clash on Wednesday for the chance to play in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final. Several months ago, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan charged the Super Eagles to reach the Nations Cup final as he wishes to watch them play in Johannesburg to kick off the country's celebrations of 150 years as a nation.

Football: Burkina Faso Cup of Nations factfile

February 5, 2013 02:30
Factfile for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Burkina Faso: Results: Nigeria 1-1, Ethiopia 4-0, Zambia 0-0 (Gp C), Togo 1-0 (quarter-finals) Scorers: Alain Traore (3), Jonathan Pitroipa (2), Djakaridja Kone Coach: Paul Put (BEL) Captain: Moumouni Dagano Key player: Charles Kabore brings steel and skill to midfield Rankings: CAF 23, FIFA 92 Nickname: Stallions Previous appearances: 8 (1978, 1996: first rd, 1998: fourth, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012: first rd) Match record: P30 W4 D8 L18 F28 A53 Record win: Ethiopia 4-0

Soccer-Drogba's dream of African title dashed for good

February 4, 2013 09:45
By Mark Gleeson RUSTENBURG, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Didier Drogba still has ambitions of competing at the next World Cup but his chances of national team honours to add to a glittering array of club prizes are now surely over. His hopes fizzled out in meek fashion on Sunday as the Ivory Coast were eliminated in the African Nations Cup, losing 2-1 to Nigeria in the Rustenburg quarter-final.

Football: Drogba unsure of future with Ivory Coast

February 4, 2013 09:16
Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba is unsure of his international future after a shock weekend exit from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations his country were favoured to win. Drogba, the 34-year-old former Chelsea striker playing in the African football showcase for the last time, was well policed as Nigeria won the quarter-final 2-1 in north-western mining town Rustenburg. Ivory Coast have been favourites for five consecutive Africa Cup tournaments, but the closest they came was finishing runners-up to 2006 hosts Egypt and 2012 surprise side Zambia.

Football: Keshi's home-grown Hollywood stars come up trumps

February 4, 2013 07:32
If ever a man had the right to feel smug it was Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi after his heavily-criticised Super Eagles team's stunning Africa Cup of Nations win over Ivory Coast. Keshi's mix of experienced stars and local-based players not only made it into the semi-finals after failing to qualify last year, but they did it the hard way by toppling the competition favourites. And to top a memorable night in Rustenburg the show stealer was not a Premier League star like Chelsea duo Victor Moses or John Obi Mikel, but Sunday Mba, who plies his trade in the Nigerian league.

Football: Nations Cup sun sets on Ivorian 'golden oldies'

February 4, 2013 02:31
Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast's 'golden generation' headed off into the sunset here Sunday having come up short yet again in their quest to be crowned kings of Africa. For Drogba, who turns 35 next month, this was the last opportunity to lift the Africa Cup of Nations, but all the hype and hopes ended at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in this north-western mining town.
Syndicate content