Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Friday 03 February 2012

After a two day break the action resumes on Saturday, when the first two Quarter-Finals take place and will see Zambia v Sudan (in Bata) and Ivory Coast v Equatorial Guinea (in Malabo). Sudan and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea are the two lowest ranked teams in the competition and would not have expected to have made it this far. However, Sudan will feel they have a chance of causing an upset when they meet Zambia, but will have to contain two useful strikers in Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka who have both scored two each for Zambia in the tournament so far. For me, the attacking abilities of The Copper Bullets will bring down the Falcons of Jediane and Zambia will progress to claim a Semi-Final place.

Over in Malabo the second Quarter-Final will see the favourites and top ranked team, Ivory Coast, attempt to break the hearts of the locals when they take on Equatorial Guinea. The Elephants have by no means been outstanding so far, but have won all their games in an efficient, if somewhat unspectacular fashion. However, Ivory Coast have yet to concede a goal in the tournament so far, and with the strength of squad that includes the experience of Eboue, Drogba and Zokora and younger talent such as Bony, there seems to be no outcome except a win for the Ivory Coast. Of course we all love the underdog, but this really does look on paper a game too far for Nzalang Nacional.

Throughout the “diary” for the competition I have made reference to the rankings of teams, so detailed below is the current full list for the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This was last published on 18 January 2012 and will be updated on 15 February 2012. It shows the ranking within the CAF and FIFA. Each team is given a number of points (not shown here) which is based on a calculation which is arrived at by the following factors:

Points from a single match x Importance of game x strength of opposition x strength of opposition football association/confederation.

However, below each of those criteria is another set, so for instance, in terms of “importance of game” there are a range of points available depending on the type of competition the game took place in. For full details of how it all works, click here

Q = Qualified for 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

CAF Ranking FIFA Ranking Team Name
1 18 Ivory Coast (Q)
2 26 Ghana (Q)
3 32 Algeria
4 36 Egypt
5 43 Senegal (Q)
6 45 Nigeria
7 56 Cameroon
8 56 South Africa
9 58 Cape Verde Islands
10 59 Tunisia (Q)
11 60 Sierra Leone
12 61 Morocco (Q)
13 63 Libya (Q)
14 66 Burkina Faso (Q)
15 69 Mali (Q)
16 71 Zambia (Q)
17 79 Guinea (Q)
18 82 Uganda
19 85 Angola (Q)
20 91 Gabon (Q)
21 94 Botswana (Q)
22 98 Niger (Q)
23 99 Malawi
24 100 Togo
25 102 Zimbabwe
26 105 Mozambique
27 110 Rwanda
28 116 Congo DR
29 118 Gambia
30 120 Sudan (Q)
31 121 Kenya
32 122 Namibia
33 123 Liberia
34 128 Central African Republic
35 131 Congo
36 133 Ethiopia
37 136 Benin
38 137 Tanzania
39 141 Burundi
40 142 Chad
41 151 Equatorial Guinea (Q)
42 153 Lesotho
43 160 Madagascar
44 162 Guinea-Bissau
45 180 Swaziland
46 187 Comoros
47 188 Seychelles
48 189 Eritrea
49 190 Somalia
50 194 Mauritius
51 196 São Tomé e Príncipe   
52 198 Djibouti  
53 204 Mauritania
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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Thursday 02 February 2012

The Africa Cup of Nations is an event that in all probability I’ll never actually go to ‘live’ in my lifetime, but it’s there on my footballing ‘wish’ list. My first memory of African football goes back to the 1974 World Cup in West Germany where Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) were drawn in the same Group as Brazil, Scotland and Yugoslavia. In the game against Brazil, the Zaire defender Ilunga Mwepu lined up in a wall with his teammates as the Brazilian’s were about to take a free-kick. Nothing strange there you might think, however, before Brazil could take the kick, Ilunga broke from the wall and hoofed the ball up-field, earning himself a booking and internet celebrity status years down the line.

My point is that even back then you knew that there was something different about African football. It came with a smile on its face, innocence, a unique atmosphere filled with colour and vitality, with abundant energy from fans, players and coaches alike. The current Orange Africa Cup of Nations tournament to date has had its fair share of drama, surprise exits and like 1974 in West Germany some atrocious weather. Some would argue that the standard of defending and goalkeeping has been very poor this time around, but that shouldn’t detract from the inordinate amount of skill on show and some simply stunning goals. It has been extremely emotional to see the way sides have celebrated their progress to the Quarter-Finals and witness for others the pain of elimination. Therefore to see the terrible pictures of events from Egypt yesterday was a stark reminder about the domestic situation that lurks behind the shadows in a number of African countries currently.

I don’t profess to be an expert on African politics (or indeed politics in general), but like the majority of people I do pick up through the various forms of media, what is happening beyond the shores of the United Kingdom. Take for instance some of the teams who did make it to Gabon & Equatorial Guinea for this years competition. During 2011, there was an attempted coup in Guinea whilst in the Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt all were playing their Qualifying games against a background of civil war and unrest. It is said that sport and politics should never mix, but history has shown how certain countries and their leaders have tried to use it for political gain. For some this is positive, as after the uprising in Libya, National football coach Marcos Paquetá claimed that the team was now “…not only playing for football success but for a new government and a new country…”. In Egypt things seem far more perilous as football seems to have become inextricably linked to the continuing troubles. BBC reporter Jon Leyne summarised the events from Egypt with the following;

“…even as the violence was continuing at the Port Said football ground, Egyptians began suspecting, wondering if darker forces were at play.

The Muslim Brotherhood, now the largest party in parliament, accused remnants of the Mubarak regime of provoking the riot in an attempt to reduce the country to chaos.

Egyptian football fans can be notoriously violent. But what immediately aroused suspicions is the fact that the al-Ahly supporters, known as Ultras, have become a political force as well. They have been at the forefront of many of the big confrontations with security forces in the last year.

What really happened at the Port Said stadium may never fully be known. It’s just as likely to have been a case of incompetence, from a police force which has been seriously under strength since they were chased off the streets in the revolution a year ago.

The immediate danger for the Egyptian authorities is of new violence, as angry football supporters take to the streets once again. But this has also provoked a new political crisis, undermining trust in the ruling military council, at a time when Egypt is moving towards presidential elections and the handover to civilian rule…”

For me, one of the joys of football is the fact that is it an escape from our everyday lives. We are able to leave the stresses and strains of work and domestic life at the turnstile for ninety minutes and take on the pleasure and pain of watching our team. In Egypt yesterday that separation, that line between the two was simply blown apart. At the coming Quarter-Finals game there will a minute’s silence before the games. It will no doubt cast a shadow over the remainder of the tournament and is a reminder that in our ever-changing world, football will never be just a game.

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Wednesday 01 February 2012

Group D

Botswana (1) – (2) Mali [Stade d’Angondjé]

Ghana (1) – (1) Guinea [Stade de Franceville]

Going into the last of the Group games today all four teams were still in with a chance to qualify for the Quarter-Finals. However, in the case of Botswana it would require a 9-0 victory over Mali and Ghana to beat Gambia. Now I know there have been some dramatic games, but surely this tournament won’t deliver that kind of result! Given the openness of the Group it meant that no team could afford to consider anything other than go for a win. Only Ghana knew that a win would definitely see them qualify for the knockout stages.

Guinea came into the game in Franceville with three points and knew all they could do was to go out and beat Ghana and hope that Mali were unable to defeat Botswana. Given this background, Guinea started positively against Ghana. However, on 28 minutes their dreams of progressing suffered a huge blow. Ghana had a corner which was played short to Emmanuel Agyemang Badu just outside the Guinea penalty area. He flicked the ball up with his left foot, before smashing it home with his right – one of the goals of the tournament. Guinea undeterred continued to be positive and were rewarded in time added-on at the end of the first-half. They kept possession and worked the ball from right to left. Abdoul Razzagui Camara beat his man and whipped in a ball which sailed over Kwarasey in the Ghana goal. Was it a misplaced cross or was it a shot on goal? Guinea didn’t care, they were back in the game and knew that they had 45 minutes to make their dream of qualification happen. Over in Libreville, Mali and Botswana played out a fairly even first-half which saw the teams go to the break at 0-0.

The deadlock in Libreville was quickly broken at the start of the second-half. With five minutes of the restart, Botswana were ahead. From midfield, the ball was worked wide to Moemedi, who crossed for Mogakolodi Ngele who burst through the rather static Mali defence to finish beautifully. However, Mali were back level just five minutes later. Traore twisted and turned out on the wing before whipping in a cross which was headed goal-ward. Botswana keeper Marumo could only parry and it feel to Garra Dembele who swept it in from close range. That goal meant that Mali would progress if the scores remained the same. Guinea perhaps feeling the pressure, had Mamadou Dioulde Bah sent-off with around twenty minutes to go and were now up against it as they searched for a second goal. Their fate was sealed with fifteen minutes to go, when Mali took the lead against Botswana. Seydou Keita received the ball from a throw-in and went for a one-two with Diabate on the edge of the box. The return ball was not the cleanest, but Keita did get the ball back and delivered a great finish to put Mali ahead 2-1. Guinea battled in vain, with substitutions aplenty to try and get back into the game, but it was to no avail. As the whistle blew at the two venues, Ghana and Mali celebrated as they completed the list of teams making it to the last eight. Incredibility the knockout games did not produce a single goal-less game. Would the next phase bring more cagey games?

Final Positions:

(1) Ghana: 7 pts, (2) Mali: 6 pts, (3) Guinea: 4 pts, (4) Botswana: 0 pts.

There now follows a two day break before the knockout stages takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The Quarter- Final line-up:

04/02/12       Zambia v Sudan

04/02/12       Ghana v Tunisia

05/02/12       Gabon v Mali

05/02/12       Ivory Coast v Equatorial Guinea

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Tuesday 31 January 2012

Group C

Gabon (1) – (0) Tunisia [Stade de Franceville]

Niger (0) – (1) Morocco [Stade d’Angondjé]

In terms of qualification for the Quarter-Finals, that was already done and dusted prior to kick-off. Gabon and Tunisia were playing to establish who would top the Group, whilst Niger and Morocco were in opposition to avoid the ‘cuillère en bois’

Incredibly going into this game, there had not been one fixture which had ended 0-0. After 45 minutes in both games without a goal, the indications were that perhaps this was about to change. The two games provided quite a contrast. In Franceville, Gabon and Tunisia provided a half of genuine pace and passion. Daniel Cousin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had ‘put themselves about’ and were causing the Tunisian defence some real problems. Meanwhile in Libreville, Niger and Morocco produced a pretty awful first-half. Niger did hit the bar just before the break when Moussa Maazou was unlucky with his strike, otherwise there was little to excite the crowd.

Thankfully there was a little more for spectators to get excited about in the second period of each game. Co-hosts Gabon completed a clean sweep winning all three games and finished on 9 points after a 1-0 victory over Tunisia. The winning goal came on 62 minutes with a rapid fire attack from Gabon. Starting inside the Gabonese half the ball was swept to Cousin, his first-time ball found Aubameyang, who took it on before shooting from just outside the Tunisian box. The ball found its way into the net but Rami Jeridi in goal for Tunisia was at fault, as the shot ricocheted and spun off his body. Gabon deserved their lead and also continued to press in the remainder of the game. There was still enough passion in this game as ninety minutes approached for a little fracas between the players. At the whistle went, both teams could celebrate, as they were both through and the challenge of the Quarter Finals awaited. In the game at Libreville, thankfully Morocco sparked into life in the second-half. Younes Belhanda was the catalyst for a better tempo as he was involved in all the positive work by Morocco. The goal came on 79 minutes, when Marouane Chamakh, who did appear offside, laid the ball through for Belhanda to finish. Morocco finished with a win, but didn’t live up to their pre-tournament promise, whilst Niger left empty handed.

Final Positions:

(1) Gabon: 9 pts, (2) Tunisia: 6 pts, (3) Morocco: 3 pts, (4) Niger: 0 pts.

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Monday 30 January 2012

Group B

Sudan (2) – (1) Burkina Faso [Estadio de Bata]

Ivory Coast (2) – (0) Angola [Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]

Plenty at stake in the final games today. Ivory Coast were definitely through and Burkina Faso were out. However, one from Angola and Sudan would also progress and the issue of top spot in the Group also needed resolving. Ivory Coast made wholesale changes for the game, presumably to rest their preferred starting line-up ahead of the Quarter-Final.

Both games were relatively quiet and without major incident in the opening thirty minutes with no goals. Then like the proverbial bus, along came two! In Malabo, Ivory Coast took the lead on 33 minutes. Bony won the ball in midfield and carried it forward before crossing into the Angolan six-yard box. Covering defender Miguel made a hash of his attempted clearance and gave Emmanuel Eboue the opportunity to poke home from close range. Meanwhile in Bata, Sudan went 1-0 ahead. The Burkina Faso back line was caught flat which allowed Mudather Eltaib a clear run on goal before coolly finishing past keeper Daouda Diakite. As half-time approached in each game, Ivory Coast continued to press and create chances against Angola, while Sudan and Burkina Faso was a more even affair after the goal. At the break with the scores as they stood, Ivory Coast would top the group and Angola would also go through as runners-up on goal difference over Sudan. In the second half, to progress from the Group, Sudan would have to score themselves to increase their lead, or hope that the Ivory Coast could add to their tally against Angola.

The opening fifteen minutes in both games proved to be cagey, with little threat to a change in the score-lines. Then on 65 minutes, a goal was scored in Malabo. A punt into the Angola half caused confusion and as Angolan keeper Wilson came to the edge of his area to collect the ball, defender Massunguna headed over him, leaving Wilfried Bony to tap the ball into an empty net. Not only did this double Ivory Coast’s lead, but meant that if the scores stayed that way, then Angola were heading out. With ten minutes remaining, Sudan strengthened their grip on the runners-up spot with a goal to double their lead. Keeper Akram kicked downfield and his opposite number in the Burkina Faso goal hesitated allowing Mudather Eltaib to nip in, round Diakite and score his and Sudan’s second. Angola and Burkina Faso reacted positively with the game slipping away, but were unable to score. However, both games had a number of minutes of time added-on. Whilst Angola couldn’t create any late drama, over in Bata Burkina Faso scored through Issiaka Ouedraogo. A long ball in the box, had Sudanese keeper recklessly and needlessly rushing out of his area, so making it an easy finish for Ouedraogo. However, Sudan held on and progressed to the Quarter-Finals on goal difference. Credit to Ivory Coast, who despite a much changed team, didn’t just go through the motions against Angola and played their part in providing the opportunity for Sudan to progress. Angola so close to qualifying missed out on goal difference and depart the competition with Burkina Faso.

Final Positions:

(1) Ivory Coast: 9 pts, (2) Sudan: 4 pts (GD: 0),  (3) Angola: 4 pts (GD: -1), (4) Burkina Faso: 0 pts.

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Sunday 29 January 2012

Group A

Equatorial Guinea (0) – (1) Zambia [Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]

Libya (2) – (1) Senegal [Estadio de Bata]

So here we are at the final round of Group games. For these fixtures and in order to ensure that there is no advantage to any team, both games kick-off at the same time. It provides an occasion that players, coaches and fans are spending the game with half an eye on events happening elsewhere. The permutations of who could go through and how, made the Duckworth Lewis Method look simple! All that was certain going into the games today was that Equatorial Guinea were through and Senegal were out. Zambia were in control of their destiny in that they knew a victory would see them through and also top the Group. Libya were at the mercy of events in Malabo, all they could do was go out and win the game and hope Equatorial Guinea did them a favour.

Libya got the perfect start when on 5 minutes they opened the scoring. Senegal were sloppy in defence and gifted Ahmed Sa’ad the ball, whose jinking run and clever through ball to Ihab Albusaifi was slotted home. Zambia at this stage were drawing 0-0, so still had the edge in terms of progressing. Senegal then further dented Libyan hopes, when on 11 minutes Deme N’Diaye headed home a corner. His task was made easier by Libyan keeper Samir Aboud, who having started to come for the corner, then stopped and was in no position to claim the corner or stop the header. Back in Malabo there was still no score in the opening ten minutes. Libya and Senegal continued to provide a more end to end game than that between Equatorial Guinea and Zambia and so at the half-time whistle it was 1-1 in Bata and 0-0 in Malabo. The second-half continued to lack bite and edge, not so surprising since both teams had qualified. However, on 68 minutes Zambia took the lead. From a throw-in Chris Katongo received the ball, took on one defender, cut across the penalty area, before sending a skimming shot than bounced a couple of times in front of the keeper before finding the net. This goal meant that Zambia were now top of the Group and the chances of Libya advancing receded significantly. The game in Bata became scrappy, but Libya didn’t give up hope and were rewarded on 84 minutes when Senegal didn’t deal with a long ball into the box, allowing Zuway to  cross for Ihab Albusaifi, who volleyed home to give the Libyans a 2-1 advantage. However, to go through they needed Equatorial Guinea to score twice in the remaining minutes, which looked a forlorn hope as the game in Malabo drifted to a finish. At the whistle, Zambia (1-0) and Libya (2-1) had won the final fixtures, with Zambia through as Group winners and Equatorial Guinea as runners-up. Libya had not disgraced themselves given the difficult period they had leading to the tournament. For Senegal it was an embarrassing exit; as one of the pre-competition favourites, they left without a single point.

Final Positions:

(1) Zambia: 7 pts, (2) Equatorial Guinea: 6 pts, (3) Libya: 4pts, (4) Senegal: 0 pts.

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2011/12: FA Cup 4th Round – Sheffield United v Birmingham City

Friday 27 January 2012 (07.00 am)

Watford v Tottenham Hotspur  (7.45 pm)

Everton v Fulham (8.00 pm)

When the 2011/12 FA Cup Fourth Round begins on Friday night there will be two fixtures taking place. The first of these will see Watford take on Spurs at Vicarage Road. These two sides have met on four previous occasions in the FA Cup and Spurs have triumphed in all of them. Interestingly, the first two ever games between these clubs took place in the FA Cup. In January 1922 in the Second Round, Tottenham triumphed 1-0 at White Hart Lane and in 1939 an emphatic 7-1 win for Spurs in the Third Round. The most famous of the FA Cup meetings came in the 1986/87 season when the teams met in a Semi-Final tie at Villa Park. Tottenham finished comfortable 4-1 winners with Steve Hodge bagging a brace to add to goals from Clive Allen and Paul Allen. Malcolm Allen scored The Hornets goal. The last meeting between these team came in the Third Round in 1999 at Spurs, with the home side convincing 5-2 winners.

The other game will see Fulham travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton. For Fulham fans of a certain age this fixture will bring back memories of the Fifth Round tie that took place back in February 1975. A game which pitched then Second Division Fulham against the First Division leaders. It was to be an epic game that was part of an incredible 11 game journey by the men from Craven Cottage that took them to the 1975 FA Cup Final against West Ham United. Coincidentally, as was the case with Watford v Tottenham, the first two occasions Everton and Fulham met was also in the FA Cup. Everton first hosted Fulham in January 1926 in the Third Round. After a draw at Goodison, Fulham won the replay 1-0. It was over twenty years before these two clashed again, and on this occasion it was a Fifth Round tie in London in 1948. The game went to a replay and Fulham emerged 1-0 winners. In February 1975 and again at the Fifth Round stage, Fulham travelled to the North West and came away with a 2-1 victory courtesy of two Viv Busby goals. The last meeting was in the Fourth Round in 2004. The game at Goodison looked to be slipping away from Everton as they were behind 1-0 to a Sean Davis goal. However, in the dying minutes Francis Jeffers scored to ensure a replay. As in the first game Everton went behind and again Jeffers equalised in the dying minutes. However, Steed Malbranque was the Fulham hero as he scored to sent The Cottagers through 2-1.

Tonight then, two games where FA Cup history says that the winners will be Tottenham and Fulham. If only it were that simple.

 

Friday 27 January 2012 (11.00 pm)

Watford (0) – (1) Tottenham Hotspur

Everton (2) – (1) Fulham

Abba famously sang in their hit “Waterloo”, “…The history book on the shelf, Is always repeating itself…” Now, fine exponents of the pop song they may have been, but as for football pundits, well, the jury has to be out tonight. History said Tottenham hadn’t lost to Watford in the Cup and so it continued as Spurs came away from Vicarage Road with a 1-0 win. Rafael van der Vaart’s long range effort just before half-time gave Spurs the lead, but The Hornets provided their Premier League opponents with a real test in the second period. After the game Spurs manager Harry Redknapp acknowledged that his team had indeed ridden their luck to make it through to the Fifth Round. Unfortunately for Watford it was a case of “So Long” to this years competition.

Meanwhile on Merseyside, Fulham were at Goodison with their unbeaten FA Cup record over Everton at stake. It all looked good for The Cottagers when they went ahead through a Danny Murphy penalty. However, The Toffees worked their way back into the game and were level before the half-hour mark. Everton emerged the better side in the second-half and a header from Marouane Fellaini ensured their progress and Fulham’s exit.

“Hasta Manana”

 

Saturday 28 January 2012 (10:00 am)

Sheffield United v Birmingham City

It’s a case of back to Bramall Lane for the ‘trail’ game later today. January has been a mixed month in the League for The Blades, with two convincing wins, against Yeovil and Bury, offset by two losses to Carlisle United and last weekend at League leaders Charlton. Birmingham have gone unbeaten this month, drawing with Peterborough (1-1), followed by wins against Ipswich (2-1), Millwall (6-0) and Watford (3-0). Both clubs have to date had good seasons and they both occupy a play-off place in their respective divisions.

In terms of the FA Cup, this will be The Blades fourth tie this season and in the last round Sheffield United put an end to non-league Salisbury City’s adventure 3-1, whilst Birmingham put out Midlands rivals 1-0 in a replay at Molineux. These clubs have met previously in the FA Cup on three occasions and on each occasion Birmingham City have emerged as winners. The Blues won 2-1 in 1933/34, 3-1 after a replay in 1952/53, with the most recent tie in the 1983/84 season. In a Third Round tie at Bramall Lane, then Third Division Sheffield United held First Division Birmingham City to a 1-1 draw, before The Blues emerged 2-0 winners in the replay.

This is The Blades toughest test in the Cup this season and will be a good chance to compare themselves against Championship opposition.

 

Saturday 28 January 2012 (07:00 pm)

 Sheffield United (0) – (4) Birmingham City

The Blades FA Cup run came to an emphatic end at the hands of Birmingham City today. To an extent the score-line doesn’t reflect the part United played in this game, although they did at times contribute to their own downfall today. The Blades opened the game very positively and dominated the opening fifteen minutes. Ched Evans, Lee Williamson and Stephen Quinn were causing problems for Birmingham and with over 18,000 in the ground their was a terrific atmosphere inside Bramall Lane. However, with their first corner of the game, Nathan Redmond was picked out and his shot flashed into the net to give The Blues a lead against the run of play. Birmingham suddenly looked a different side, who seemed first to every loose ball and eager for more goals. The Blades were now playing far deeper and allowed The Blues space in midfield. On a couple of occasions Redmond drove at the United defence, but shot wastefully wide. Chris Burke too was coming more into the game and getting dangerously down the flanks. On 38 minutes Burke was involved in getting wide again and his cross was efficiently swept past Simonsen by Adam Rooney to put City 2-0 up, as they cruised towards half-time.

The Blades were first out the blocks in the second-half and dominated the opening ten minutes. Lee Williamson was again a threat to Birmingham as was the experienced Richard Cresswell with a couple of attempts on goal. However, Birmingham weathered the storm, and scored a third on 58 minutes. As they had done in the opening period The Blades backed off and backed off and Wade Elliot took advantage by firing home to put City 3-0 up and send the 4,000 travelling fans delirious. United continued to press, but could find no way past the City custodian Colin Doyle who was to keep a clean-sheet, despite some nervous looking handling all afternoon. With less than fifteen minutes remaining, a period of sustained Birmingham possession saw the ball switched into the six-yard box, where Adam Rooney tucked home his second and a fourth goal for The Blues. As some Blades fans drifted away at the last goal, so the match lost its earlier intensity and after 3 minutes of time added-on the referee blew for time.

On reflection, United will know they had their periods of pressure, but Birmingham were clinical and scored at crucial times. The Blades were somewhat unfortunate to play Birmingham at this point, as the side from St Andrews are running into a bit of form latterly. Danny Wilson will not have the Cup as a distraction now and instead must look to focus his side and ensure they are ready to battle for promotion. City will look forward to the next round and keep their own chances of promotion on the boil.

I’d like to put on record my thanks to Sheffield United as a club for their pricing policy throughout the FA Cup this year. The total cost for the four games I have seen at Bramall Lane has only been £45 and it has been a privilege to have witnessed the four game adventure. Good luck to The Blades in their promotion push.

 

Sunday 29 January 2012 (7.00 pm)

Sunderland (1) – (1) Middlesbrough

In the first of the two final games of the Fourth Round, the Wear-Tees derby took place at The Stadium of Light in front of a crowd of over 33,000. It proved to be a no-nonsense game that you would expect from such close Northeast neighbours. The visitors struck first when on 16 minutes, Barry Robson brilliantly gave Boro’ the lead. However, hero turned villain, when Robson gave away possession which lead to a goal for substitute Fraizer Campbell who made a goal-scoring return after 18 months out injured.

 

Arsenal (3) – (2) Aston Villa

At half-time this game seemed only to be going one way and that was a Cup exit for Arsenal. Villa had gone ahead through Richard Dunne on 33 minutes and were seemingly cruising at 2-0 when Darren Bent scored on the stroke of half-time. However, the game all turned in a frantic seven minute spell. On 54 minutes Aaron Ramsey was brought down by goal-scorer Dunne and from the resulting penalty Robin van Persie gave The Gunners a way back into the game. Three minutes later and the game was all square when Theo Walcott was credited with a scrappy looking goal, not that the Emirates faithful cared. The comeback was complete on 61 minutes, this time the other Villa scorer, Bent conceded the penalty, and Captain Fantastic did the rest from the spot. They always say you need a bit of luck to win the Cup. Arsenal will certainly hope so.

In the remaining “trail” game not covered so far, Bolton Wanderers made it through to the Fifth Round after a 2-1 home win over Swansea City. Luke Moore put the visitors ahead on 43 minutes, but The Swans couldn’t hang on to their lead until the half-time whistle. In time added-on, Darren Pratley headed in from a Martin Petrov free-kick. The game was won on 56 minutes when Gerhard Tremmel, the Swansea reserve keeper couldn’t hold a Petrov shot and Chris Eagles gleefully slotted home the loose ball.  

After the draw the Fifth Round “trail” fixtures are as follows:

 

Everton v Blackpool/Sheffield Wednesday

Chelsea v Birmingham City

Sunderland/Middlesbrough v Arsenal/Aston Villa

Millwall/Southampton v Bolton Wanderers

 

So Wembley is a step closer and as those football pundits from Abba once said, “…the winner takes it all, the loser has to fall…”

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Saturday 28 January 2012

Group D:

Botswana (1) – (6) Guinea

Botswana (nicknamed, Ezimbizi – The Zebras) had battled hard in their opening fixture against Ghana (nicknamed The Black Stars) before losing 1-0. Guinea (nicknamed, Syli national – National Elephants) also lost their first group game by a similar margin. To date in the tournament no side had been on the end of a heavy defeat, but that changed today. Guinea ran out 6-1 winners, a game in which the main activity took place in the opening half. Sadio Diallo opened the scoring on 15 minutes, although Botswana were back level on 23 minutes after converting a twice taken penalty. However, before the half-hour mark Guinea were back in front when Sadio Diallo restored their lead. Botswana were looking open at the back and the score was soon 3-1 when Abdoul Camara netted. Worse was to follow when Patrick Motsepe was sent-off for a very bad challenge in time added-on in the first-half. Guinea totally put the game out of reach with a fourth from Ibrahima Traoré just before the end of the first period. The second-half didn’t have quite the drama of the first forty-five, and Guinea scored two late goals through Mamadou Bah (84 minutes) and Naby Soumah (86 minutes).

 

Ghana (2) – Mali (0)

In contrast to the first game of the day, the significant action came in the second-half. Two excellent strikes saw Ghana virtually book their place in the knock-out phase of the competition. A beautiful curling free-kick from Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana the lead on 63 minutes and the lead was doubled on 76 minutes by André Ayew. From a lovely back-healed pass from Gyan, Ayew went right, then left to shake off two defenders before delivering a shot inside the post. A much improved performance from Ghana, but all still four sides in Group D could yet qualify.

 

Final Group D fixtures: Wednesday 01 February – Botswana v Mali and Ghana v Guinea

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Friday 27 January 2012

Group C:

Niger (1) – (2) Tunisia

Tunisia (nicknamed, Les Aigles de Carthage, The Eagles of Carthage) had three points in the bag coming into the fixture whilst their opponents Niger (nicknamed, Mena) were yet to get off the mark. It was possible that if Tunisia and Gabon won today, then both Morocco and Niger would be eliminated. It was an all-action start to this game. Within the opening minutes Niger striker Moussa Maazou was through on goal, but his first touch was so leaden that the ball simply ran through to Mathlouthi in the Tunisian goal. Almost straight away with only 3 minutes gone, following a patient build-up from the back, Youssef Msakni picked up the ball in the Niger half and drove in on goal. As the defence backed off, Msakni continued his run into the box and he got lucky as the less than convincing challenge from Olivier Bonnes allowed the Tunisian forward to put in a shot on goal, which just had enough pace to find the Niger net. The lead was short-lived though and the equaliser was perhaps controversial. On 8 minutes a challenge out on the wing between attacker and defender lead to the ball ballooning and spinning into the Tunisian box. Mathlouthi in goal didn’t catch the ball as it came down and let the ball bounce, as it spun back Niger’s Moussa Maazou jumped with the keeper. However, Maazou leapt leading with his right arm and as he did, his hand seemed to flip the ball away from the keeper. A grateful William Tonji Ngounou headed the ball into the unguarded Tunisian net. Despite protests the goal stood and will once again it will raise the debate in certain quarters about using technology to assist referees with incidents. During the remainder of the half, Moussa Maazou came more and more into the game with his strong direct running worrying the Tunisian defence. However as the whistle went for half-time, it was all square at 1-1. Niger came out strongly in the second period and looked a different team to that which lost to Gabon. As the second-half ebbed and flowed Moussa Maazou for Niger and Youssef Msakni for Tunisia continued to provide the main threats for their respective teams. However, with five minutes remaining Tunisia upped the pressure on their opponents. Niger were closing in on their first ever point in the Finals, but on 90 minutes, a through ball caught the Niger defence square which allowed Issam Jemaa to run on into the box, where he cut across the defence before firing home past Chicoto in the Niger goal. In time added-on Tunisia could have scored again but were denied by the crossbar. Tunisia emerged winners 2-1 and go through to the knock-out phase, whilst Niger are still looking for their first ever point in the Finals.

 

Gabon (3) – (2) Morocco

With fellow co-hosts Equatorial Guinea already through to the next phase, there was real pressure on Gabon (nicknamed, Les Panthères – The Panthers) to also progress. Their task though was not an easy one as they took on Morocco (nicknamed, the Lions of the Atlas), who although they lost in their opening game to Tunisia, had created numerous chances, but were profligate in front of goal. As a result Morocco made four changes to the side from the opening game. Despite a fever pitch inside the game the opening 20 minutes were pretty cagey, attritional and at times physical. Nevertheless on 24 minutes, an incisive ball from Younes Belhanda who had cut in from the wing, found Houssine Kharjah in the box. The Moroccan controlled and shifted the ball to his left foot before crisply shooting into the right hand corner of the net. With Morocco 1-0 ahead the rest of the half petered out to a scrappy conclusion which saw both sets of players and managers involved in some heated exchanges. In the second half, Morocco continued to take the sting out of the Gabon attacking threat and as the last fifteen minutes approached seemed in control. Then in a situation much seen at the Britannia Stadium, Gabon’s Charly Moussonou launched a long throw into the penalty area. Moroccan substitute Jamal Alioui’s misplaced header flicked the ball on and from around the penalty spot area, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a sweet volley to level the scores. With the home crowd still feverishly celebrating, Gabon won possession in the Moroccan half and moved the ball wide. The ensuing cross was controlled by substitute Daniel Cousin who turned and shot, it was a scuffed attempt that hit the inside of the post and nestled into the net; suddenly Gabon had scored two goals in two minutes. Still there was more drama to come, as Morocco broke into the Gabon box in the final minute and had a shot handled by Charly Moussonou. Up stepped Houssine Kharjah who calmly slotted home his second and Morocco’s equaliser for 2-2. The Gabon crowd was now silent and sat nervously through time added on. Then in the 97th minute Gabon were awarded a free-kick. One more twist in this game came to pass as substitute Bruno Zita Mbanangoye curled in a winner for the co-hosts. Good though the free-kick was, there will be questions asked about the lack of protection offered by the Moroccan wall and keeper Nadir Lamyaghri’s positioning. Gabon celebrated and another of the tournament favourites Morocco were out. Just another day in a competition that is supplying twists, turns and surprise aplenty.

 

Final Group C fixtures: Tuesday 31 January – Gabon v Tunisia and Niger v Morocco

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Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Thursday 26 January 2012

Group B:

Sudan (2) – (2) Angola

For Angola (nicknamed, Palancas Negras – The Sable Antelopes), a win would guarantee progression to the Quarter-Finals. For Sudan (nicknamed, Falcons of Jediane) avoiding defeat would at least mean they had something to play for in their last game. However, Sudan got off to the worst possible start and conceded a goal on 4 minutes. Nagm Eldin was caught in possession by Manucho who carried the ball into the Sudanese box before firing home confidently. Despite such a terrible start, Sudan didn’t capitulate and showed as they did against the Ivory Coast, good organisational ability to get back into the game. They were rewarded for their efforts just after the half-hour mark to level the game at 1-1. Sudan worked the ball wide to Mudather El Taib, who crossed and Mohamed Ahmed Bashir got between two defenders to sent a flicked header into the net. Buoyed by the goal, Sudan finished the half strongly. As in the first-half, Sudan started badly again in the second period, giving away a penalty within five minutes of the restart. Hamid Nazar clumsily and unnecessarily brought down Djalma and Manucho coolly slotted home the penalty. Credit to Sudan though as they stuck to their task once more to keep Angola at bay. Then on 74 minutes Sudan struck. A long ball into the box found Angolan defender Vunguidica unsure of how to deal with it. His attempted chesting down of the ball merely put the ball into the path of Mohamed Ahmed Bashir, who as four Angolan players looked on, swept in sweetly for his and Sudan’s second goal. The final passage of the game saw both sides look for a winner. In truth, a draw was a fair result and means both these sides are still in with a chance of further progress in the competition.

 

Ivory Coast (2) – (0) Burkina Faso

As with the match earlier, one side knew that victory would assure a place in the Quarter-Finals; that side being the Ivory Coast (nicknamed, Les Éléphants – The Elephants). What stood between them and that place was the team from Burkina Faso (nicknamed, Les Etalons  – The Stallions). Despite their status as tournament favourites, Ivory Coast were less than convincing in their win over Sudan and knew that Burkina Faso could be tricky fixture. Both sides continued to display the traits from their opening fixtures. Ivory Coast again flattered to deceive, whilst despite good organisation in midfield and up-front coupled with plenty of possession, Burkina Faso again demonstrated poor defensive abilities. After 16 minutes from a throw-in, a cross into the box was flicked at and missed by Yaya Touré allowing Salomon Kalou to fire a sweet half-volley home from six yards out. The second and killer goal came on 82 minutes. A free-kick just inside The Stallions half was pumped into their box and there was no communication between the two Burkina Faso defenders as they both went for the ball. Bakary Koné got the telling touch and with it the dubious pleasure of scoring an own goal and condemning his team to an early exit from the tournament. The Elephants triumphed 2-0 and are through to the Quarter-Finals, but will somebody take that George Graham coaching manual away from their dressing room.

Final Group B fixtures: Monday 30 January – Sudan v Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast v Angola

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