Here we go! What's the brouhaha about Cameroun's new outfit? Keep it slamming, bro!
quote:NATION�S CUP: Cameroun�s new kit illegal � Blatter
Monday, January 25, 2004
Cameroun�s new kit for the African Cup of Nations has been raising
eyebrows but not just on the pitch. It appears the new all-in-one red
and green body-suit contravenes the rules of the game as laid down by
the sport�s world governing body FIFA. FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is in Tunisia for the Cup of
Nations, was questioned on the kit by journalists on Thursday. �It
goes against the laws of the game,� he said. When asked whether it would mean the Indomitable Lions would have to
change the kit for the upcoming tournament, he said that decision
rested with the CAF executive. �But as far as FIFA games are concerned it goes against the law,�
Blatter reiterated. The FIFA regulations about clothing stipulate
that a player must wear both a shirt and shorts. Cameroun ran into trouble with FIFA two years ago with the kit they
used for the Cup of Nations. They opted for a sleeveless shirt, which also contravenes FIFA rules. It meant that they had to have a new kit made for the World Cup in
Japan and South Korea in the same year.
___________________ THE MORE YOU LOOK THE LESS YOU SEE Posts: 566 | From: Sin City, Sin World | Registered: Mar 2001
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How do you get the matches by the way? Today is the big day. The Eagles are set to meet the Moroccans. Already it does appear as if the Moroccans do not feel as if there team can get it done. Let us hope that the Eagles do not feel unnecessarily over-confident. According to Christian Chukwu, another thing that should work in the favor of the Eagles is that they are not the favorites to win the cup going by the comments of most African sports journalists. The Eagles have always outdone themselves when they enter any tournament as the dark horses.
The 16 nations participating in this biennial African soccer showdown fall into these 4 groups:
Group A:
Tunisia DR Congo Guinea Rwanda
Group B:
Senegal Burkina Faso Kenya Mali
Group C:
Cameroon Algeria Egypt Zimbabwe
Group D:
Nigeria South Africa Morocco Benin
UPDATES:
Tunisia 2�1 Rwanda DR Congo 1�2 Guinea Kenya 1�3 Mali Burkina Faso 0�0 Senegal Zimbabwe 1�2 Egypt Algeria 1�1 Cameroon
Today, the Eagles will meet Morocco at 1400 Tunis local time (GMT +1). 4 hours later, the South Africans will duke it out with Beninois national team.
N.B�Oga T.B, I think it was during the last world cup that I observed the funny jerseys the indomitable lions were wearing. I later gathered that they hastily improvised because FIFA did not approve their original sleeveless jersey. Now you see, on my part, I thought it was pretty entertaining to come up with the idea of sleeveless jerseys for these perspiring athletes. It is not entirely impossible for those solid Cameroonian players, or any other African indeed, to feel somewhat uncomfortable under those jerseys. It could be that they noticed that they were more comfortable in these sleeveless jerseys� and the way I see it, if those jerseys are not tucked in, then I bet you a lot of them would be so comfortable, the effect could be like magic on their performance on that field.
Alas, there are rules to these things and FIFA has decided that those sleeveless jerseys should not be worn. The prevailing climate in Tunisia around this time is Mediterranean (reasonably cool, breezy or cloudy afternoons with temperatures ranging from high 50�s to low 60�s. It could even rain on these afternoons.) So, just maybe, it would be in the best interest of the Cameroonians to abide by FIFA�s stipulations.
My 2 cents.
Posts: 535 | From: Madam Chichi's Isiewu & Palmy Joint | Registered: May 2003
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quote:All the action from the Group D game at the African Cup of Nations.
Major goal flashes and incidents (all times GMT):
1852: The referee blows for full-time and South Africa go top of Group D on goal difference. Benin performed with style and determination on their Nations Cup debut.
1851: Winstanley wins a booking as the match enters an unexpected fifth minute of injury time.
1848: Benin win a corner which comes to nothing.
1847: The assistant referee signals three minutes of injury time at the end of the match.
1845: The match is petering out as both sides play out the last few minutes of time. Benin appear to have lost hope of retrieving a clash that was once well within their grasp.
1839: Oketola and Baron clash as both contest a cross swung in with pace from the left by Adjamonsi. Play is held up as both players receive treatment.
1838: Neil Winstanley comes on for Molefe as the South Africa coach Phumo tinkers with his defence.
1836: South Africa are enjoying their most consistent period of the game, forcing a series of corners, one of which Nomvete volleys narrowly wide from outside the box.
1835: Substitution for Benin, with Kabirou Moussouro coming on to replace Gaspoz.
1833: GOAL South Africa 2-0 Benin Nomvete doubles South Africa's lead as he neatly controls a long ball from deep to fire a crisp half-volley past Chitour from 12 yards out.
1831: After good work down the left, Zuma sets up Mayo whose well-hit drive from the edge of the box is hit straight at Chitour.
1830: Nomvete shows a neat burst of pace as he runs at the Benin defence down the left flank before firing over the bar from well outside the penalty area.
1828: The non-stop drumming and music continue as the match enters the final twenty minutes.
1826: Adjamonsi bursts down the left flank of the South African penalty area, but Baron gratefully collects the loose ball as it spills off a Bafana Bafana defender. The Squirrels have recovered their poise after the shock of conceding a goal when they were on top of the game.
1824: Latoundji flights a neat curling free-kick from the left-hand corner of the penalty area at goal but Baron is equal to the effort.
1823: Buckley sends in an arrowed cross that Nomvete fails to reach as keeper Chitour clears for Benin.
1822: Despite South Africa's lead, Bafana Bafana coach April 'Styles' Phumo looks nervy in the dug-out.
1819: Substitution for Benin, as Wassiou Oladikpikpo comes on.
1816: GOAL South Africa 1-0 Benin Siyabonga Nomvete makes up for his earlier misses as, just yards from goal, he heads home Mosheou's terrific delivery from a free-kick near the Benin penalty area. The goal comes against the run of play.
1814: Zuma hits his free-kick straight at the wall.
1812: Benin continue to force the play but concede a free-kick on the edge of their own box which gives South Africa an opportunity to register their first shot on target in the second half.
1809: The Squirrels continue to forage for their first ever goal in the Nations Cup finals but Gaspoz curls his 25-yard effort straight at Baron.
1808: Gaspoz becomes the first player to be booked in the match, seemingly for dissent.
1807: In the move of the match for Benin, Jonas Oketola plays a fine one-two but then volleys inches wide.
1805: Latoundji is teed up by striker Muri Ogunbiyi's incisive header but hits his left-shot strike from just six yards out against the bar with Baron beaten.
1802: South Africa get the second half underway.
1747: The referee blows for half time with the game still goalless.
1744: The assistant referee signals two minutes of injury time at the end of the first half.
1744: Nomvete hits a dreadful penalty that goes a metre wide of Chitour's right-hand post.
1743: Penalty is harshly awarded against Benin after Damien Chrysostome is adjudged to have fouled Sibusiso Zuma in the area. Yet the decision follows a bright one-two between Zuma and Nomvete which splits open the Benin defence.
1742: Moshoeu bends a free-kick at goal from the outside of the box but Chitour gathers, once again, at the second attempt.
1740: South African physios run onto the pitch to treat Delron Buckley after the South African is felled by a challenge from Tony Toklomety.
1736: Nomvete has the best chance of the match so far but thumps Mosheou's flick-on against the crossbar from just eight yards. The ball bounces down to the same player who then heads the rebound straight at Chitour.
1729: Chitour redeems himself instantly by diving low to his right to stop Jacob Lekgetho's strike from the edge of the box after the defender is teed up from the corner. Nomvete then hits the rebound over the bar.
1729: Chitour flaps at a deep South African cross to gift Bafana Bafana a corner.
1725: Benin wing-back Roumauld Bocco volleys a deep cross off target after bursting late into the box.
1722: Benin's Moussa Latoundji hits wildly over the bar from just outside the South African penalty area.
1721: As South Africa try to force an opening, Mayo half-volleys a long-range effort well wide of Chitour's left-hand post.
1720: South African midfielder Delron Buckley hits a tame 25-yard effort that Chitour gathers comfortably in the Benin goal.
1717: Benin striker Alain Gaspoz strikes from the left-hand edge of the six yard box and flashes the best chance of the match across the face of Emile Baron's goal.
1716: Some committed South African defending denies Benin on two occasions.
1715: Benin's Anicet Adjamonsi wins the Squirrels' first corner of the game.
1714: Neither team has yet to force an opening or have a shot in the opening quarter of an hour.
1711: Both sides are happy to knock the ball around at the back as they try to settle down. Benin are looking to surge forward at every occasion.
1708: Benin have acquitted themselves well in the first few minutes of their Cup of Nations debut and have not looked overawed.
1704: Supported by fans covered in green, yellow and red body paint, Benin launch an early attack that comes to nothing in the South African penalty area.
1703: Benin keeper Rachad Chitour gathers South African striker Patrick Mayo's cross at the second attempt.
posted
Any person who saw the Nigeria-Morocco match would, by this time, be entertaining SERIOUS doubts as to whether the Eagles can really go far in this tourney. I was thoroughly unimpressed.
To start with, those Eagles lacked the desire to score goals. They were just content to pass the ball around. Many times they had the opportunity to convert but it just seemed as if that fire, that passion was lacking. For most of the game, the Eagles were in control, but for some inexplicable reason, the offence could not find a way to convert all the opportunities they had downfield into a goal. The helplessness of the situation was very real.
Okocha was sadly not in his best form. He was rather subdued. It seemed as if he was overwhelmed and could not reach down into his proverbial sack of magical soccer tricks to effect a drastic change in tempo and drive. As a result, the game was for the most part, slow and fraught with both tactical and unforced errors. Since there was no leadership from the combined presence of Okocha and Kanu, it was not totally unimaginable that the team would play as if they were on a practice session. Kanu was nothing to write home about as I already said. He made a couple of important passes, but for the most part, he did not play as one of the few Africans playing in one of the distinguished explosive European clubs. When he was substituted later on in the second half with Pius Ikedia, a lot of people sighed in relief.
I am not going to say anything about our offence other than that it was lack-lustre and totally uninspiring. There were lots of missed chances, some off-sides that ought not to have been and a lot of indecision with the ball at crucial points in and around the 18-yard box. Aghaghowa appeared to be in too much of a haste to score that the few chances he had with the ball were squandered. On more than two occasions, he headed wide. On another occasion, he should have left the ball to Agali who was in a better position to score. Yakubu Aiyegbeni made some interesting runs downfield, but for some reason, these three just could not combine effectively with the other midfielders to break the Moroccan defense�not even with the overlapping efforts of Babayaro or George Abbey.
Celestine Babayaro, Yobo and George were relatively better at their respective positions than most of the others. They held off the Moroccans and were often seen overlapping to support the attack. Isaac Okoronkwo was disappointing. If he wants to step into Uche Okechukwu�s shoes, he had better improve his split second decisions. I miss Taribo West�s incisive and rugged presence at that centre back position. It was because of Okoronkwo�s failure to organize himself at that centre back position, or to consistently guard Morocco�s point-man Youssef Hadji that resulted in that single winning 73rd-minute goal! At that point, it seemed as if a random hunter had shot the famous eagle, and the miserable bird floundered and finally came crashing to earth with a heavy thud. The Eagles continued playing miserably till the final whistle. All in all, the Moroccans showed more determination and passion. They were not to be outdone by the Eagles so they fought hard and acquitted themselves most honorably. Many times I caught myself pondering if the present crop of Super Eagles have in all reality lost their fire and form and were thus just living on their past reputation.
This was definitely no way to start the tournament to say the least. A lot of work needs to be done. After the World Cup, a lot of Nigerians that I know consoled themselves by declaring that the World Cup squad then was young and had not been availed of the opportunity to work together to develop the much-needed chemistry. They swore that the Eagles would be a force to be reckoned with if those players made it to Germany 2006. Well, anyone would think that by now, they would have made headways in that direction, but unfortunately, it seems as if they are yet to attain that level of cohesiveness or sense of purpose that characterized the Atlanta Dream team. At this rate, we are in for another rude awakening if we make it to the next mundial.
posted
Na real wah oh. Ibi like say dem carry ojoro put all the smesme okoro people for the line up oh even for the referee committee.
Make una dey see again-o. Dis one be like say i pass man oh, as dem carry this Linus Mba wey be agbalagba okoro come put for committee. Dey come forget we wey play for Costain and bariga so tey time for jeun come reach oh. Abeg make una tell them oh say ojoro don boku for this their kalabule wey okoro Chukwu tink say im better pass egbon Segun Odegbami. Na real wah!
___________________ NA MY PAPA BORN ME Posts: 390 | From: Eugene, Oregon | Registered: Jul 2002
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Today, Kenya meets Senegal AND Mali squares off with Burkina Faso.
Posts: 535 | From: Madam Chichi's Isiewu & Palmy Joint | Registered: May 2003
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Nigeria have announced that Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Celestine Babayaro and Victor Agali after been sent home from the African Cup of Nations.
quote:"They did not respect the rules of the camp, they were supposed to be in quarters with the rest of the squad," ...."They only returned to the hotel this Friday morning. "
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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quote:"Obviously it will be good for us, but is a real shame for him."
This Babayaro guy has always been a problem for the Eagles coaching staff. They need to stop inviting him to camp. The shameless IGBOMAN with a HAUSA lastname.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
It is really unfortunate that some of these Eagles (if not the whole bunch) would be so disconnected with the reality of their woeful performance against Morocco that they�d actually be found guilty of egregious misconduct. In my opinion, this appearance of indiscipline needs to be nipped in the bud. What would possess these non-performers to conduct themselves in such a manner? It is not like they won their first game, nor are they veritable sine qua nons in their respective clubs. They are not credited with any recent laurels neither is there a real assurance that they even possess what it takes to foil a growing inevitable dishonorable exit from the tournament. Na wa oh! Posts: 535 | From: Madam Chichi's Isiewu & Palmy Joint | Registered: May 2003
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posted
It's well known that this Babayaro guy has been stubborn in camp over the years. The question now is: why invite this pig-headed fellow in camp when the officials know he will not play by the rules?
[ January 31, 2004, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: Uwadiegwu ]
Posts: 33 | From: Madras, India | Registered: Mar 2003
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Nigeria cruised to an easy win over South Africa at the African Cup of Nations.
Everton's Joseph Yobo side-footed home the opener after an error by keeper Emile Baron.
Bolton's Jay Jay Okocha then scored from the penalty spot for the 1,000th goal in the tournament's history.
Substitute midfielder Osaze Odemwingie made the points secure with two superb low-angled drives in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Stung by criticism of their poor performance in the 1-0 defeat to Morocco, the Super Eagles, led by Bolton's Jay Jay Okocha, dominated midfield possession in the opening quarter of the tie.
The incessant forays of the Nigerians paid early dividends in the fourth minute, when overlapping central defender Yobo nodded home from close range.
Yobo connected with a corner taken by Ifeanyi Ekwueme, which flew over South Africa keeper Baron and the scrum of players that crowded the penalty area.
With the Super Eagles growing in confidence after Yobo's goal, Bafana-Bafana struggled to stamp their presence on the game.
Nwankwo Kanu should have scored Nigeria's second in the 14th minute, when he broke free of the inept South African defence and had only the goalkeeper to beat.
Jay Jay Okocha scored the 1,000th goal in Cup of Nations history But the Arsenal striker's inability to strike the target at the earliest opportunity gave South African defenders to slow him down, with the final effort going flying the post.
After shaking off their inertia, South Africa regained composure to launch a series of counter-attacks in the Nigerian half.
Siyabonga Nomvete had the best chance to level scores in the 26th minute, when he collected a pass from the right side of midfield and struck a shot which forced a save from Vincent Enyeama.
The Super Eagles took complete control of the game after the interval.
Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu earned a penalty in the 62nd minute, when Aaron Mokoena obstructed his path after a run from the centre of midfield.
Okocha wasted little time in coverting the kick that became the tournament's 1,000th goal.
But it was substitute Odemwingie, who plays for Belgian first division club La Louviere, who stole the show.
Coming on for Kanu, Odemwingie had a burst of acceleration on the right side of midfield, outwitting Jacob Lekgetho before curling a 15-yard effort which went past Barron and into the right-hand side of the goal.
And with just a few minuted remaining, he latched onto a pass from midfielder Garba Lawal to add the icing on Nigeria's cake.
Nigeria need to win their last game against the Benin in Sfax to have a chance of topping their group and avoiding a quarter-final tie against defending champions Cameroon.
quote:45:03 Portsmouth substitution: Ivica Mornar replaced by Aiyegbeni Yakubu (tactical). 49:38 Foul by Paul Butler (Wolverhampton) on Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Portsmouth).
Ladies and Gentlemen, the disgraced Mr Yakubu Aiyegbeni who was kicked out of CAMP for Insubordination, is already at his SLAVE work being a good NEGRO to his OYIBO employers.
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posted
Morocco 4 Benin 0. Now the question is how do we avoid meeting Cameron if we make it to the kick off stages? We may have to win our group for this to be possible and that means beating Benin by at least 3 goals and hoping that somehow, South Africa will not conceed so many goals to surprising Morocco.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
These guys hired ashawos and where enjoying a sex orgy while the game was going on. Vanguard: Outrage greets Eagles Sex scandal in Tunisia
By Tony Ubani Sunday, February 01, 2004
Chief Coach Christian Chukwu was stunned while FA Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima, stood akimbo as the ugly news of the sex scandal of three Super Eagles Celestine Babayaro, Victor Agali and Yakubu Ayegbeni took the centre stage over their all important second match against South Africa's Bafana Bafana Friday. The three players, professionals broke camp rules by lodging girls in the third floor of their fourth floor at the Kuriat Palace Hotel. These are the reactions of notable football personalities who were shell-shocked over the sordid act of the Eagles. Galadima: It is a shame. It is the worst act of indiscipline. It is unpatriotic and we cannot condone it. We, board members of the Nigeria Football Association met and agreed that we have to decamp them. We don't want them to polute the other players. You �ll agree with me that they cannot continue to be part of the team because they betrayed the camp rules and team spirit of a side that need to salvage their image after their 1-0 loss to Morocco in their opening match of the Nations Cup. I�m in shock�
Christian Chukwu: I have never slept since the night. I am shocked. This is dangerous and it is the greatest act of indiscpline in the team. If you remember, I told them that they can only bring their wives to camp if they qualify for the final. There was strict discipline in camp while we were in Faro, Portugal. These three players were not part of the camp and came late when we were rounding up. All other players are remorseful over the loss in the first match and this is the only way these ones have to show their patriotism. I am sad, shocked, and (he stammers, showing sign of pain). I don't know what to say. The only thing is that we have to go ahead. Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro: former NFA Scribe. Are you sure it is the truth? Haba! Why now? This is a slap to Nigerians. Kai! These boys are not patriotic. It is a shame. Dr Rafiu Ladipo (President of Supporters Club) I'm proud of the decision of the FA to decamp those useless players. Does it mean that they cannot hold their things for three weeks? The government should even punish them for bringing shame to the country. The only thing is that they cannot draw us back. It is a challenge to the other players to rise against this shame. We must march ahead and give them total support to win. But, Tony, na waa for those players. Another supporter source regretted that while they fast for them, the players go on painting Tunisia red. God go punish them. Lawal, Ekwueme replace randy players.
BAFANA BAFANA. The coach said that he would introduce Ifeanyi Ekwueme and Garba Lawal to take over the position of Babayaro and Agali. The case of Yakubu Ayegbeni was even worse as he was a shadow of himself during the match against Morocco and many Nigerians are saying that the girls may have sapped their stamina before the first match.
quote: Redknapp admitted he could not care less if Nigeria hand Yakubu a permanent international ban.
He joked: "It all worked nicely in the end. I told him to be late for bed. But that's him. I know everyone talks up their players but you couldn't meet a nicer fella.""I found out on Friday about it all. I thought it was very strange because he is a harmless lad. I couldn't imagine him causing a problem for anyone.
"But I'd be lying if I said I was bothered about him playing for Nigeria. I'm only bothered about him playing for me. "Good players might improve by playing against other good players but not in the African Nations Cup.
"I've got to be honest with you. I have spoken to an English manager and he told me that the whole thing...well, I couldn't tell you how he described it.
It's frightening. He is out there managing but I don't think people are too impressed with what is going on out there."
Redknapp had rubbed his hands with glee after learning that Yakubu was able to play at least some part in a game for which he had been robbed of every other striker but Teddy Sheringham.
So he arranged for his man to be flown from Tunisia to Heathrow via Belgium. That journey took four hours. Yakubu was then given a police escort from the airport to Fratton Park. That took another two hours.
quote:1729: GOAL Morocco 0-1 South Africa Morocco concede their first goal of the tournament as keeper Khalid Fouhami makes a basic error in trying to collect Nomvete's cross and gifts the ball to striker Patrick Mayo who volleys home from 6 yards into an empty net. BBC
They need 3 more goals and a Benine win to send Nigeria home.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
1734: GOAL Benin 0-1 Nigeria Garba Lawal ends Benin's resistance, chesting down and poking home a left-foot shot from close in after Benin fail to clear a corner.
Thia Garba guy although I do not fancy his style of play, manages to make the team and finds ways to contribute to the team. Good Job my Naija Bros.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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Na wah for you oh! How come our Yoruba brothers and sisters are not celebrating this victory? Do they think it's just an Igbo victory?
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posted
Congrats Chukwu(CYE - conqueror of the Yoroba Emirate)
Ike my brother:
It appears you didn’t know that the Yoroba nation mobilised against Chukwu and his boys last night.
Check out this statement as reported by AFP from a “Benin Republic” player:
quote:"It would be great to score against BiafraNigeria. It will prove that some people made a big mistake by not picking me for any of the national teams in BiafraNigeria," said the 21-year-old Ogunbiyi, who hails from the southwest Nigerian city of Abeokuta.
Since that yoroba mercenary can't swap his leg for his mouth, we can safely conclude that Chairman Chukwu was right in leaving out the young coward.
The full story:
Nigeria taking Benin seriously
igeria's top Europe-based stars have insisted they will not be taking debutants Benin for granted when they clash in an African Nations Cup Group D fixture on Wednesday.
Nigeria can be backed at 11/2 with Victor Chandler to win the African Nations Cup. Cameroon are 15/8 favourites, whilst Tunisia and Senegal come next in the betting at 9/2. Click here >> to visit Victor Chandler and for details of how to qualify for �50 cash back.
Two-time tournament winners Nigeria, overflowing with top foreign-based stars like skipper 'Jay Jay' Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, are overwhelming favourites to teach minnows Benin a soccer lesson and ease into the quarter-finals.
"This tournament has again shown that there are no easy games, so we have to stay focussed and take the game very seriously. We have to win because that is the only way we will be through to the next round," said Okocha.
Everton defender Joseph Yobo, who scored in the 4-0 trouncing of South Africa, echoed his skipper's demands.
"We hope to go all out against Benin, just as we did against South Africa, so that we can win and move on to the quarter-finals," he said.
The last time Nigeria failed to go beyond the first round of the championship was 22 years ago at the 1982 edition in Libya when they were beaten 2-1 by Algeria and then were spanked 3-0 by a rampant Zambian side.
Interestingly, several Nigerian-born players including Muri Ogunbiyi and Jonas Oketola will be featuring for the Squirrels of Benin, who have found the going tough at their first appearance in the championship having lost to South Africa and Morocco without finding the back of the net even once.
Ogunbiyi, who helped Enyimba of Aba win the CAF Champions League in December, has already said he wishes to make a point or two against his native country after he was overlooked by Nigeria selectors and had to settle for Benin.
"It would be great to score against Nigeria. It will prove that some people made a big mistake by not picking me for any of the national teams in Nigeria," said the 21-year-old Ogunbiyi, who hails from the southwest Nigerian city of Abeokuta.
Since 1963, the west African neigbours have clashed 12 times with Nigeria winning ten of these games while two others ended in a confidence-boosting draw for Benin, formerly Dahomey.
The last time the countries clashed was in 1991 in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Lagos and the Eagles ran away 3-0 winners with goals from Samson Siasia, Friday Ekpo and Daniel Amokachi.
After losing 1-0 to Morocco in their first group game, Nigeria will be expected to win easily against Benin.
A victory, combined with Morocco drawing with South Africa, would give them top spot in Group D, avoiding a possible quarter-final with Cameroon.
Nigeria have only triumphed once in five encounters at the Nations Cup against the defending champions and that was a 2-1 victory in a meaningless third-place match 20 years ago in Abidjan.
� 2004 AFP
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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I did not realize that Yoroba pettiness was so complete. Anyway, it has not stopped Chukwu from emerging as the Field Marshall of African Football. Posts: 162 | Registered: Mar 2001
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PC Brigade 1, Football 0 The African Nations Cup is a showcase, says the BBC. Yes, says Rod Liddle, but not for sport
There was a staggeringly dull and ineptly executed football match on television the other night. Yes, OK, I get your somewhat sarcastically expressed point: quelle surprise, hold the front page, etc. But I am not talking about Manchester City versus Tottenham Hotspur on this occasion.
The match in question was between Tunisia and Rwanda, and it was part of a tournament to be shown on BBC Two and BBC Three for four weeks, replete with half-time and post-match analysis every bit as inexpert and embarrassing as the football itself. Even I switched over in the end - and I have never previously been known to turn off the football. However, plenty of other people shared my disaffection: the average viewing figure was 100,000.
The reason the match was so shocking was simple: neither team was any good at football. This was socc er at a sub-Nationwide Conference level. Plus, the presentation of the programme was as bad as the game, if not worse.
But, hell, these are minor quibbles. Because at least everybody involved in the enterprise was black. And that, you begin to think, was the important thing.
What I'd been witnessing - accidentally - was the opening game from the African Cup of Nations. This irrelevant competition is on your screens every night - and you are paying for it through the licence fee. Tunisia versus Rwanda was just the first of the multifarious treats in store. If you're lucky, you might catch the highly fancied Benin 11 playing Morocco later in the week. Or maybe Eritrea versus Ethiopia - grudge match, that one, I reckon. Get the sandbags out. And have the UN on standby.
In the game I saw, the quality was so bad and the refereeing so useless and the commentary so naff and patronising and the analysis so amateurish that one wondered if, at first, it was a new and particularl y unsubtle satire. But, no, it wasn't satire. It was something served up quite without irony for our entertainment.
The question that first occurs is why is the BBC showing this rubbish at all? Does anybody here care a toss who wins the African Cup of Nations, given that most African nations are crap at football? No, of course not - and nobody in the BBC would argue for a second that this was the purpose behind the coverage. The purpose behind the relentless coverage is nothing to do with football.
If it were to do with football, if it were a genuine attempt to say, look, there are great things happening in football beyond our shores, just tune in and be amazed, then the BBC would buy the rights to La Liga or maybe Serie A or, better still, the Copa America, where you would get a chance to see Brazil playing Argentina or Uruguay playing Peru. Brazil versus Argentina has a certain cachet, don't you think? Whereas there are only two African teams in Fifa's top 60 - and neit her is very high up. But the BBC has no plans for such coverage of South America. As I say, it's NOT about the football. It's something else.
You begin to find out what the something else is - were you in any doubt - when you talk to the BBC about it. After telling you that you can't blame the BBC for the dreadful football on offer (yes, you can, actually - you shouldn't have forked out our money for it, you mugs), they explain that the controller of BBC Three, Stuart Murphy, once worked in Africa and is "tired of clich�d depictions of the continent". He wanted to see Africa depicted in a "positive light". And - oh, dear me, what was the big centre-forward thinking of - his answer is to show Rwandans playing football.
Now, in previous years, on our news channels, we've witnessed Rwandans engaged in a sport with which they're palpably more familiar - genocide. So maybe Stuart has a point - let's watch them play football instead and, maybe, in the end, we'll abandon our pre conceptions about Africa and think it's an absolutely marvellous place to live. Trouble is, the Hutus and Tutsis seemed quite adept at genocide, whereas they're absolutely shite at football - so where does this leave us?
Other reasons offered by the BBC include the fact that "more and more Africans are living in Britain" - yeah? How many? You counted them, Stu? - and the fact that several footballers from the premiership are out in Tunisia for the Cup of Nations. By which they mean, presumably, the perennially hopeless Lomana Lua-Lua, a handy forward at second division Colchester but neither use nor ornament at Newcastle. Oh, and when he's sorted his finances out, the genuinely talented Jay Jay Okocha.
And so, as a result, we have useless football and Garth Crooks telling us at every conceivable opportunity how this tournament is a "showcase" for African football and look at how well the Tunisians are running it (despite the total lack of amenities for some teams and the chicanery). In other words, it is a programme which is stupid, inept and patronising, all at the same time. The African Cup of Nations might have made one humorous, perhaps heart-rending, 40-minute documentary. But, instead, the BBC has bought it for four bloody weeks and is trying to sell it to us as serious football. And what it's actually saying is: Look at these cheerful Africans playing football! Aren't they lovely! Never mind that they're useless, at least they're not murdering each other or stoning women to death!
And that's what happens when you try to enforce political correctness from the top down; it becomes toe-curlingly embarrassing and, in the final event, actually racist.
Do you remember The Crouches? That was the "situation comedy" set in South London and featuring an exclusively African-Caribbean (or black British) cast. It was unfathomably dreadful and came, I suspect, from the BBC deciding that it had to commission a "black" situation comedy, rat her than commissioning a comedy which was funny and clever and had engaging characters and just happened to be black. Plus they got a (white) Scottish bloke to write The Crouches. Maybe that was as close to "black" as the corporation could get.
When I worked at the BBC as editor of Today I received an e-mail every day or so urging me to carry "positive" stories about Africa. These were from idiots employed in one or another unit - the diversity unit or community affairs unit, one of those euphemisms for ethnic minorities - and could be safely binned before they were even read. But the same impulse was at work: an attempt at social engineering through distorting the agenda. And, of course, none of the people who sent me e-mails was African, any more than the aforementioned Stuart Murphy is African. Africans want broadcasters to tell the truth about their continent. And they will not be fobbed off by watching Nigeria play Mauritania at football.
If I were a black Briton, I'd be mightily pissed off by what is, essentially, racist programming. I do not doubt that it is conceived with the very best of intentions, but those intentions spring from the vacuous and dangerous notions of the middle class, white, liberal. And I don't see why we should pay for these notions any more.
posted
Mali 2 Guinea 1. Mali qualifys for the Semi.
quote:The referee blows for full time, bringing to an end a game that will go down in Cup of Nations history for the wrong reasons. The fog never left the pitch, nor did the fractious nature of a match littered by fouls and ill tempers. Tunisia players do a lap of honour as they celebrate reaching the semi-final.
Tunisia 1 Senegal 0. Watch this: Referee: Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates)
posted
Nigeria came third at the 2002 African cup of Nations after the Lions of Senegal beat them in a very heated semi-final match to reach the final. Mali also reached the semis in the 2002 edition. Also, it should be noted that Mali also reached the semis in the 2000 edition.
In 2000, Cameroon and Nigeria played the final. I don�t know, but it appears that Mali and Nigeria have been quite consistent. Their place in African soccer cannot be wished away. Perhaps, if they work hard enough, in 2006, they (Mali and Nigeria) might reach the finals.
Let�s just say that this year belongs to the North Africans. Morocco spanked Mali 4-0 to qualify for a North African final. Darn it! I do not like to see these North Africans beating West Africans (particularly Nigerians) in ANY game. They can win East, Central and Southern Africans, but no West Africans. Oh well, I guess, they deserve their all-Arab North African finals just like West Africa.
Today Mali and Nigeria played for third place. Needless to say Nigeria won 2-1. At the end of it all, Nigeria knows her real position in African football. Yes, no matter which part of the continent the tournament is held, consistent ranking/performance despite heavy odds can only affirm her true worth.
Posts: 535 | From: Madam Chichi's Isiewu & Palmy Joint | Registered: May 2003
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posted
We will finish Nigeria -Senegal Coach The head coach of the tarenga lions of Senegal, Omar Sar, has said his team will make it to the quarter finals of the CAN2006 currently in Egypt.
According to him he had the chance of watching Ghana-Nigeria match and believe Ghana could have won the game but due to the last minute lost of concentration on the part of the Ghanaian players that cost them to loose the match.
The coach said looking at the way the stars played there wasnt in any way that the stars could have lost the game. He said, he was happy when the head coach of the black stars accepted the fact that his side lost the match because of lost of concentration on the part of his players.
Senegal will play the last group match with Nigeria while Ghana takes on Zimbabwe in another encounter at ismailia at the same time and that will determine which country advance to the next stage of the competetion.
Sar, who is very optimistic of seeing his team through to the quarter finals, also said, he will be happy if his side qualifies along side Ghana to the next stage of the competetion.
He explained that the Nigerian team is not the team that he used to know for some years back and for that matter if they make it to the finals of the tournament it will affect african football as Africa will not see the best football in the years to come.
According to him he believes that some teams have shown that they have prepared well and for that those teams should take home the cup so that it will bring challenge into the tournament for the years to come.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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Port Said, Egypt --The ongoing African Nations Cup has continued to throw up lots of revelations about other peoples love for Nigeria, reputed to be the most populous black nation in the world.
While the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Austine Jay Jay Okocha and John Utaka seem to be ready made names on the lips of the people in Port Said, the latest revelation however came from Ghanaian star, A.S Roma striker Osei Samuel Kuffour, who declared to the consternation of Daily Independent reporter in Port Said that he is a Nigerian.
Probed further, the high profiled footballer who is often described as the engine room of the newly rejuvenated, Black Stars said he is from Shagamu, in Lagos State.
Told Shagamu is in Ogun State, few minutes drive from Lagos, Kuffour simply shrugged it off saying emphatically that my father, not my grand parents, is from Nigeria.
Though he refused to speak further on the issue, he was however quick to add that, "my two brothers are living there right now. Nigerian footballers are my friends, you can ask Kanu or Okocha where I am from; they know I am from Shagamu".
Though this assertion may cause some rumpus in the stars camp and probably back home in Ghana, the way he sounded gives the impression that he is happy to be a Nigerian.
Meanwhile, the stars camp in Port Said is alive again after the defeat it handed to the highly favoured, Lions of Senegal in the Group D qualifier on Friday. The Black Stars who since their narrow loss to Nigeria kept a low profile, have suddenly become prominent with shoulder raised high.
After they overcame the Lions of Senegal on Friday, the players and a cluster of supporters danced round the stadium shouting on top of voices.
However, it is the outcome of their last match against the whipping team of the group, Zimbabwe and the result of Nigeria's clash with Senegal that will determine whether they will continue in their quest for honours.
Source: Daily Independent (Nigeria)
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2503 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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