African Cup

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Egypt draw and qualify for quarter-finals

1 hour ago

KUMASI, Ghana (AFP) — Champions Egypt continued their march towards a possible sixth Africa Cup of Nations crown courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Zambia in a final Group C match here Wednesday.

The Pharaohs finished top of Group C on seven points and now await the second-placed team in Group D who they will face in the quarter-finals to be played here on Monday.

Amr Zaky netted Egypt's goal after quarter of an hour while hard working skipper Christopher Katongo drew his team level on 87 minutes when he shot from inside the box.

Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib said his team achieved their targets for this game.

"We first wanted to qualify and lead our group. We also wanted to finish the game free of any injuries and we achieved all our targets," said Gharib.

"We are therefore satisfied with the result."

"Egypt played well against Sudan and Cameroon but today we gave them a good run for this draw," said Zambia coach Patrick Phiri.

"This was the Zambia that trained in Spain and played against Morocco before the tournament. It was a disaster for us against Cameroon but after this match we can go back home with some sense of satisfaction."

Egypt kicked off brightly inside an empty 40,000-capacity Baba Yara Stadium in the northern city of Kumasi with their small but noisy travelling band of fans full of voice to cheer them on.

However, Zambia also went on the offensive in the early minutes. Skipper Katongo was impeded on the edge of the box after seven minutes but his brother Felix shot wide of the target from the resulting free kick.

In the 12th minute some good work in midfield let in Felix Katongo who raced into the Egyptian box and he found Mulenga, whose final shot was easily dealt with by goalkeeper El Hadary.

It was Egypt though who took the lead in the 15th minute when Zaky met a sharp pullout from the left by Said Abdelwahed on the half volley which whistled past Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Mulenga would have restored parity for the Zambians in the 21st minute but his stylish kick after some fine work on the right flank by skipper Katongo was held by El Hadary.

And moments later Katongo again found his way inside the Egyptian danger zone but superb defending by Said Abdelwahed denied him the chance to draw level for the Chipolopolo.

Right fullback Ahmed Fathy responded for Egypt but his long-range shot crashed against the side netting just as indecision by Felix Katongo would again rob Zambia of another chance inside the 18-yard box.

In the closing minutes of the first period, Abd Rabou fired wide from inside the box, Emad Mohamed's header inside the six-yard box was scrambled away by Mweene while the Egyptians found themselves at the end of some hard tackling by the Zambians.

Just after the restart Zaky misdirected his free header within the six-yard box over the bar as Egypt piled on further pressure.

A second goal was proving elusive for the Egyptians after Rabou's feeble shot from inside the box failed to rattle Mweene and Emad Mohamed's effort soon after could only stretch the Chipolopolo goalkeeper.

The introduction of big central defender Chintu Kampamba stabilised the Zambian backline, which gifted several goals to Cameroon in their previous match.

In the 63rd minute Egypt made a double change to pep up their attack, Mohamed Zidan replaced goalscorer Zaky while Mohamed Aboutrika came on for Ahmed Hassan.

Zambia maintained the pressure for an equaliser but hopeful shots by Christopher Katongo and his brother Felix failed to find the net. James Chamanga also tried from distance in the dying minutes of the encounter.

Zambia finished the stronger, and Katongo scored his second goal of the tournament three minutes from time after dashing into the box and firing home from the near post past El Hadary.

However his leveller was to no avail, Zambia finishing third in group C on four points.

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Egypt progresses to quarter-finals with 1-1 draw with Zambia

www.chinaview.cn 2008-01-31 11:08:42

ACCRA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Egypt easily gained a berth of the Africa Nations Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday as the top one of Group C, after a 1-1 draw with Zambia in the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.

Amr Zaki netted for Egypt with a left-foot volley in the 15th minute. The Pharaohs went close to score again when Mohamed Aboutrika struck from distance. At the same time, the Zambian team also missed several chances to bring it back as their skippers did not manage to change a perfect cross into a threatening strike.

In the first half, both the teams shot six times, but that led to only one goal. After the break, Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata replaced Zaki with Hanburg striker Mohamed Zidan in the 59th minute, attempting to extend Egypt's lead, but that led to nowhere.

With three minutes left, Zambian speedy captain Christopher Katongo who played in Denmark, however, brought an equalizer with a shot near the post, dashing the hope of The Pharaohs to make a clear sweep in Group C.

Due to Cameroon's 3-0 victory over Sudan, the Chipolopolo stillfailed to move out the group stage, but their performance in the match against the defending champion startled the audience and proved their capability

Cameroon beat Sudan 3-0 in the northern Ghanaian city of Tamaleand became a team of the quarter-finals as the runner-up of Group C. Egypt will play with the runner-up of Group D in Kumasi next Monday. Cameroon will face the challenge of the winner of Group D in Tamale at the same day.

The ranking of Group D will come out on Thursday.

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[chinemeze 0]

GO NIGERIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Egypt loss spurred Cameroon on says Bikey

6 hours ago

TAMALE, Ghana (AFP) — Cameroon's painful opening game loss to Egypt spurred the team into the African Nations cup quarter-finals, defender Andre Bikey believes.

The four-time champions looked to be heading for a shock early exit after that 4-2 defeat to the defending titleholders, but Otto Pfister's side raised their game to beat Zambia 5-1 and Sudan 3-0 and clinch a last-eight place.

"We did not start the competition off in the way we would have liked to," Reading defender Bikey told mtnfootball.com on Saturday.

"After the first match we all sat down before the next training session and we said that it is not possible for a team like ours to leave the tournament early," he added.

"We know that we have great individual players and it was up to us to work together to change the situation that we were in after the opening game and thankfully we know have done that."

Bikey reckons Tunisia, champions in 2004, will be hard to beat in Monday's match in Tamale.

"Tunisia are a good team and have good players, discipline on the field and tactically they are a very correct team," the 23-year-old said.

"I think they are one of the most organised teams in the competition, it will be hard to beat them but we have to give our all and play at our best to win the game."

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[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Egypt march past Angola and into the last four in African Nations Cup football

4 hours ago

KUMASI, Ghana (AFP) — Defending champions Egypt are into the African Nations Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win over a spirited Angola here on Monday.

The Pharoahs took control at the Baba Yara Stadium via Hosni Abd Rabou's penalty. Manchester United's recent signing Manucho equalised with a shot out of nowhere before Amr Zaky exploited some poor defending to wrap up the game.

The five-time titleholders' reward is a semi-final date with the team they beat in the 2006 final Ivory Coast, who booked their last four ticket on Sunday with a crushing 5-0 win over Guinea, in Kumasi on Thursday.

Angola, the surprise package in Ghana, head home having proved themselves as the rising force of African football.

Goalscorer Rabou paid credit to Angola.

"They gave us our toughest game so far," the Ismailia midfielder said.

"Now we've got the Ivory Coast. They're a good team, but we beat them two years ago."

Midfielder Sayed Moawad added: "We came here to defend our title and today we confirmed we're on the right path.

"The Ivory Coast have shown they're here to win the title, and they'll be looking for revenge but we'll prepare well for it."

Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves believed his team deserved victory.

"Normally in football the best side wins, but today it was the opposite," he lamented.

"Egypt were lucky, we created more chances, but weren't able to convert them.

"But my players shouldn't have any shame. Egypt are a good, experienced team, and my side are young."

Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan started on the bench, with playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika inheriting the captain's armband.

Angola, making their first ever quarter-final appearance at their fifth attempt, fielded the same XI that saw them through to the last eight against Tunisia.

Egypt, who have not lost a game in the competition since 2004, had the Angolans on the run early on and they went into the lead when Hosni Abd Rabou converted a 23rd minute penalty, sending Lama the wrong way.

That was the Ismaili midfielder's third penalty and fourth goal of the competition.

The penalty was awarded after midfielder Andre stuck out his hand to try to stop Aboutrika's freekick.

The Angolans were furious with the decision, pushing Japanese referee Yuichi Nichimura as they remonstrated, but their protests fell on deaf ears.

Their mood changed dramatically four minutes later with a moment of magic from Manucho.

Manucho took his personal goal tally in Ghana to four with a tremendous left-footed strike from 20 metres, the ball flying high over the helpless Egyptian defence and into the roof of Essam Al Hadari's net.

Most players use their feet or head to score but Egypt regained the advantage in the 38th minute when Leeds defender and Angola captain Rui Marques missed a clearance and Zaky knocked the ball past Lama, with his chest.

The underdogs almost drew level again with the second half just 15 seconds old.

The lanky Manucho who has been loaned out by United to Panathinaikos for the rest of the season had Al Hadary beaten after running on to Flavio's flick but his shot edged the wrong side of the far post.

Al Hadary then had to have his wits about him to stop Manucho's shot from near the spot in the 61st minute.

Down at the other end it was Lama's turn to look lively, the Petro Atletico stopper charging out from his goal to block a near point blank range shot from Emad Moteab with his body.

Shortly after he did well to palm another effort from Ahly forward Moteab over the crossbar.

Zaky, who appeared to be suffering from cramp, made way for Hassan in the 72rd minute.

Egypt, who almost got a third but Lama stuck out his right hand to deflect Hassan's late shot, survived a nervy four minutes of time added on to keep the wheels firmly on their title defence campaign.

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07/02/2008 02:46

CAN 2008 Preview: Egypt - Ivory Coast

What: African Cup of Nations Semi-Finals

Who: Egypt vs. Ivory Coast

When: Thursday, 7 February 2008, 20:30 GMT

Where: Baba Yara Sports Stadium Ground, Kumasi

A historic couple of days are beckoning, as we’re down to the final four games of what has been a very fruitful African Cup of Nations.

Past performances will mean nothing come Thursday’s games, as only two of the four competing teams will pass through to the final of CAN 2008, with the main highlight being the game between cup-holders Egypt and the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire.

It’s been two years since the last competitive game between these two sides, back on Egyptian soil, with The Pharaohs beating The Elephants dramatically on penalties in front of a rapturous home crowd.

The Ivorians have eyed revenge ever since, and the stalemate friendly between the two sides in France aside, this will be the ultimate chance for payback. In the meantime, the Egyptians will be looking to prove any doubters wrong and show the Ivoirians why they are the reigning champions of Africa.

It’s been a fairytale story for the cup-holders Egypt, coming into the tournament with many people writing them off, predicting that they were way past their best.

Yet they managed to surprise even the harshest of critics with superb performances throughout the tournament, most notably against Cameroon. They then slowly but surely progressed, now reaching the semis, with only one small step required to seal the giant leap into the finals as firm favourites to retain their title.

As for the Ivory Coast, with many of their players plying their trade amongst Europe’s elite clubs, they for one were a team with bags of attitude and quality, just needing that winning mentality as a team, having only won the tournament once back in 1992.

It is no wonder though why most people would bet their homes on the Ivoirians grabbing hold of the cup this time around, with the team having an almost perfect squad, and they have not disappointed thus far; beating every team on their way to the semis with almost unbelievable ease.

Egyptian veteran manager Hassan Shehata will have a dilemma on his hands come kick off time as due to the seemingly lower performances against Zambia and Angola; Shehata will be likely to opt for the same line-up as the Angola match, with the main difference coming in the midfield area with the news of the injury of Middlesbrough’s Mohamed Shawky upsetting the Egyptian side's balance.

Who will be slotting in instead of the Middlesbrough man, and will he be as effective? Only time will tell. Wael Gomaa has been putting in some eye-catching performances and is most certain to lead the defensive line against the expected barrage of attacks coming from the Elephants' stampede.

The same formation and playing style of a 3-4-3 onto a 3-5-2 will most likely be deployed in Thursday’s game for maximum efficiency.

Stand-in coach Gerard Gili is having a field day with the crop of amazing and versatile players at his disposal. There is Chelsea’s strike partnership of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, that has been working ever so efficiently along with the likes of the Toure brothers and Zokora’s midfield and defensive presence.

This could definitely be one of the matches of the tournament, if not the best. Egypt’s manager Shehata has been coy in honouring his opponents, yet stating that the match is there for the taking, with his side having enough confidence to retain the cup.

On the hand, Arsenal ace Emmanuel Eboue has been quick to state his side’s intentions of avenging a loss to an Egyptian side who denied them their second African Nations Cup two years ago.

TEAM NEWS

Egypt

It’s been a mixed bag of fortunes for Egypt during the past two days, with news of a bust up between Mohamed Zidan and manager Hassan Shehata, though it is now reported Zidan sat out the Angola match only due to a minor injury.

The star striker is nevertheless in doubt for Thursday’s game, as he will undergo a fitness test to determine whether he will be able to participate.

Another distressing piece of news is that of Mohamed Shawky’s injury in the Angola match. He is now likely to miss the match according to the latest reports. All other players are fit and ready for action.

Ivory Coast

Gerard Gili will have all his players to choose from, with the only concern being the tired legs of players who are playing week in week out in their clubs and now dealing with the high frequency of games in this tournament. Surely, though, he will know that against such lethal opposition he cannot afford to rest any of his best players.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Egypt

Mohamed Abu Treika - Again it’s at the hardest of times where true fighting spirits emerge, and there is no harder nor more exciting time beckoning than the semi-finals of the CAN, it is now time for the Egyptian magician to pull some rabbits out of his hat.

Zambia

Didier Drogba – No matter if your team’s got Kalou, Kone, Dindane or Yaya, there’s still room for one more ace, one of the best strikers not just in Africa, but in the world, and after his awards snub he will no doubt be looking to light up the continent on the grandest of stages on Thursday.

PREDICTION

This is going to be one match to remember for football fanatics worldwide. Direct, end-to-end, non-stop attacking football from both sides is assured; but unless Egypt pull off a performance of similar efficiency and power as they did against Cameroon in the tournament opener, they’ll be in for a rude awakening. Egypt are likely to hold off Ivory Coast for a good part of the match, but we will most probably see the Ivorians edge out the Egyptians, and killing the game off with a decisive goal in the last twenty minutes.

Egypt 1 – 3 Ivory Coast

Mohamed Seif

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