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Ghana vs Mali: Black Stars pressured to win bronze and cool down ungrateful fans
The road to reach the Last 4 for the teams involved has been long. Mali will be content with a third-place finish considering the caliber of their opponents in each knock-out fixture. Ousting Aubameyang’s Gabon on penalties against the odds was a remarkable achievement to do in the quarter-finals. Falling to Cote d’Ivoire on a 1-0 score line in the semi-finals was heartbreaking but not humiliating. The Elephants are arguably Africa’s team to beat currently so it would have required fire from heaven to destroy them and put Mali into the final.
In a rematch of Group D’s Ghana vs Mali encounter, the Eagles will strive for revenge. They have a genuine chance of punishing the Black Stars. Confusion and pressure has put pre-tournament favorites Ghana in an awkward position ahead of Saturday’s third-place final battle.
2012 AFCON semis kick off with Ghana vs Cote d’Ivoire final in prospect
A quick recap of what happened in the 2012 AFCON's Last 8
The lineup for the semi-final stage at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is mouthwatering. Mali earned a spot in the semis after a dramatic penalty shootout saw them oust co-hosts Gabon in the quarter-finals.
Cote d’Ivoire also kicked out co-hosts Equatorial Guinea. The Elephants’ victory was straightforward, though: two powerful goals from Didier Drogba and an outrageous free-kick by Yaya Toure did the trick.
Like Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia recorded a 3-0 win in the quarter-finals. Christopher Katongo was the star man as the Chipolopolo dismantled the brave Sudanese.
Ghana joined Zambia in the semis thanks to a hard-fought triumph over Tunisia. Dede Ayew scored the winning goal in extra-time to force the Tunisians to a 2-1 defeat.
Re-live the quarter-finals matches through video highlights from our 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures and Results page.
Ghana, Gabon & Cote d’Ivoire’s presence electrifies 2012 AFCON quarter-finals
Zambia vs Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire vs Equatorial Guinea, Gabon vs Mali and Ghana vs Tunisia complete the quarter-final phase’s fixtures list. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations doesn’t need the weight of continental giants Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon to be fantastic!
So-called minnows like co-hosts Equatorial Guinea have performed against the odds to give the tournament a special electrifying touch. Sudan have also provided a shock by reaching the quarter-final stage at the expense of Angola. Meanwhile, Seydou Keita’s Mali had to wait until the very last minute to know their fate.
Ghana haven’t hit top form yet and this is why curiosity comes in. How will the Black Stars fare in the knock-out stage against the struggling Tunisians? Do the Ghanaians possess enough fire in their belly to reach the final at the expectations of the public?
2012 Africa Cup of Nations: Watch out for more live action on Matchday 2
Followers of the competition got served with 8 great matches on Matchday 1. Equatorial Guinea opened the show in great fashion. They recorded a vital 1-0 victory against Libya thanks to a late goal from Balboa.
Zambia sealed the wonderful night with a 2-1 triumph over Senegal. The Chipolopolo will have the chance to step closer to qualification at the Estadio de Bata.
Libya vs Zambia will open Matchday 2 of the 2012 AFCON. Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal will provide thrills as the co-hosts would want to test their power against the Teranga Lions. If the Senegalese don’t improve from their poor form against the Zambians, Equatorial Guinea may clinch their second victory on the trot.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations: Focus on Group D
Key match-ups
Ghana vs Botswana
With their attainments in the last few years, Ghana’s young side have proved that they are not a side to underestimate. It will be interesting to see them battling Botswana, who are just making their first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. But that surely does not mean that they are simply minnows. An impressive qualification run that saw them top Group K is just enough to send the Black Stars a strong warning.
Ghana vs Guinea
The two countries met in the opening match of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, when Ghana were then hosting the tournament. A 2-1 victory for the Black Stars threw the Guineans on the back foot after Day 1, but the story is likely to be different this time around. “Revenge” is not necessarily the keyword in this game; but in any case, the National Elephants have a realistic idea of how dangerous the Ghanaians can be. Thus, we could be in for a game of strategy and techniques.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Senegal’s AFCON history
The Lions of Teranga (Les Lions de la Teranga in French) are potentially dangerous. They are among the world’s top 50 nations and 6th in Africa. They are coached by Amara Traore and captained by veteran striker Mamadou Niang. The book of the Senegalese national team’s AFCON adventures is eventful and full of historic moments. You just can’t disregard Senegal’s importance in the history of African football.
A colorful history
Senegal’s first taste of the Nations Cup was in 1965 when they finished fourth behind Ivory Coast. Their next best shot at the competition was in 1992 and in 1994 when they reached the quarterfinals.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Morocco’s AFCON history
The Moroccans are referred to as the Lions of the Atlas. They are ranked 61st in the world according to FIFA. The national team is currently managed by Eric Gerets—once PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Galatasaray and Olympique Marseille coach. 29-year-old Serie A midfielder, Houssine Kharja, acts as the team’s captain.
In this profile, you will understand why the Moroccans should not only consider themselves as one of Northern Africa’s best footballing country but also as one of the entire continent’s most dangerous side. Let’s look back at Morocco’s AFCON history!
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Mali’s 2012 AFCON history
They are called the Eagles (les Aigles in French). They are led by the experience of ex-Olympic Lyonnais and Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra and their coach is former Toulouse, PSG and Gabon manager Alain Giresse. The Eagles are 67th in the world and 15th in Africa. What should the Malians expect of their...
2012 Africa Cup of Nations teams profiles: Focus on Ivory Coast’s AFCON history
Cote d’Ivoire enter Africa’s festive football period, the Cup of Nations, as the continent’s highest-ranked country in the FIFA Rankings. The West African giants, nicknamed “Les Elephants”, are 16th above Switzerland and behind France.
The Ivoirians comfortably seat (with 151 points) above rivals and second-placed Ghana in the CAF section of the world’s chart. Will they, under the guidance of coach Francois Zahoui and captain Didier Drogba, make their authority count at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations?
The Elephants – Big size, big worries
Ivory Coast don’t have much to boast about in terms of Nations Cup history. Their only triumph dates from 1992. They qualified from their group above Congo and Algeria to reach the quarterfinals. At that stage, they met the Zambians whom they narrowly edged after extra time.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Guinea’s AFCON history
They are 18th in Africa and 80th overall according to the FIFA Rankings, they are not considered as one of the continent’s main forces and they don’t even have World Cup memories to boast about. However, the National Elephants have a bigger Nations Cup history than many may recall. In this recap, we bring to mind the various highlights and lowlights of the Guinean national team—controlled by the Fédération Guinéenne de Football and currently managed by Michel Dussuyer.
Guinea’s eventful past
Let’s go way back to the year 1970. That’s when the National Elephants finally experienced African up of Nations football. Seven years before, they got disqualified from Ghana 1963 for failing to provide neutral officials in the second leg of their 3-2 aggregate tie against Nigeria in the qualifiers.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Ghana’s AFCON history
Ghana, who are currently 29th in the world according to FIFA, will play at the 2012 AFCON under the management of Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic. John Mensah is the team’s appointed captain. The Black Stars operate under the control of the Ghana Football Association.
Bring back the glorious days
It’s scintillating like gold and old, but it is now experiencing revival. This is what Ghana’s AFCON history looks like. At their very first attempt in the Nations Cup, which dates from 1963, the Black Stars clinched glory. The acclaimed leadership of coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi helped the team defend their title in 1965.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Burkina Faso’s AFCON history
They are called “The Stallions” (Les Etalons in French) and they are best known for their turbulent past in the history of African football. The players of Burkina Faso’s national team presently work with manager Paulo Duarte under the control of the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. The Stallions are among the world’s 100 best nations. They are precisely 62nd in the FIFA rankings.
The Stallions’ history – a blend of disappointments and successes
The first time they played in the Nations Cup was back in 1978. Then called the Upper Volta national team, the Stallions endured a miserable campaign in Ghana. They fell in Group A with the hosts. West African powerhouses Nigeria were also part of this section – leaving absolutely no chance for the Stallions to enjoy their first Cup of Nations competition.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations in UK on British EuroSport
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations will run from January 21 to February 12 this year. A total of 32 matches will take place in co-host countries Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
British Eurosport will provide live coverage of all the games. Viewers will have the chance to watch the 32 matches in high definition on Eurosport HD. More info concerning the tournament will be provided through Eurosport’s daily broadcast of the “Africa Cup of Nations Special”.
This program will include match previews and reviews packed in 15 minutes. Leroy Rosenior, Jon Roder, Tim Caple, Wayne Boyce and Dan O’Hagan will team up to give the best commentary to British Eurosport viewers during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Brazil vs Ghana Preview
Brazil are poised to top Ghana at the end of the day as history recalls an interesting fact: the Seleçao haven’t lost a match in the United Kingdom since 1991. The Brazilians have also won each of their last 5 encounters in Britain.But why would Ghana restrain themselves from trying to impose their game over Brazil? Mano Menezes’ boys are going through a bad run as the world could witness during the 2011 Copa America.
The 5-time World Cup champions are yet to considerably improve; last month’s 3-2 defeat to Germany can prove this point. Could the return of the “Great Ronaldinho” down the Black Stars and become Brazil’s solution?
England vs Ghana Report
Liverpool striker Andrew Carroll had given England a first half lead, before Sunderland’s Gyan leveled matters with a fine solo strike in added time.The game was an entertaining affair and the tone was set early as both teams had early scoring chances. First Dominic Adiyiah was released before being denied by Joe Hart in the England goal, before Ashley Young forced a good save from Richard Kingson.
England then created another chance when Stewart Downing crossed to his Aston Villa teammate Young, but the winger fired against the crossbar when it seemed easier to score. Ghana soon threatened at the other end, and a Sulley Muntari free kick was met by Adiyiah, only for Hart to keep the scores level with an athletic save.
Why England’s 1-1 Draw vs Ghana Means Shame For England But Victory For Ghana
For Fabio Capello, England vs Ghana appeared as a perfect opportunity for the Three Lions’ fringe players to acquire some experience points at the international level. So considering the crucial agenda of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United, there was no need for the Italian manager to risk the likes of Wayne Rooney, John Terry or Michael Dawson. Those star players already have so much ahead of them to think about with the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stages taking place in April. In short, England vs Ghana was a great fixture to test how far England’s reserves have developed.
I Am Ready To Make An Impact With England - Andy Carroll
The Liverpool forward was given the nod to start against the Black Stars and while he looked sub-standard at times in the first half, Carroll produced a brilliant finish to score the opening goal for England after a fantastic team move by the home side.Carroll's party was spoiled by Asamoah Gyan as he came up with a genius solo effort of his own to give Ghana a well-deserved equalizer in stoppage time. Nonetheless, Carroll was delighted to have scored his first goal and promised that there is still more to come from him.
England vs Ghana Preview
England manager Fabio Capello will field a much changed lineup from the weekend’s Euro 2012 Qualifying victory over Wales. Captain John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney have all been sent back to their clubs and will play no part on Tuesday. Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson have also been released from the England camp and have returned to Tottenham Hotspur.Capello told BBC Sport this weekend he will make “about seven changes” for the clash with World Cup Quarter-Finalists Ghana. Joe Hart will play in goal and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is set to lead the Three Lions attack. Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines are all expected play in defense for England.
Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry will captain England, while West Ham United’s Scott Parker will also play if he is passed fit.
England vs Ghana: Why Only Ghanaian Fans Can Be Angry At Capello’s Idea
So English fans are expressing their concerns at having paid so much money to see reserve players filling the positions of the Three Lions’ top stars, and do they have a point? Certainly, they do. But in a sense, should it matter that much? The home crowd at Wembley is used to witnessing unimpressive performances from England and responding to poor displays with boos has even become a routine. The average fan may agree with me that the best way to ignore the huge price of a match ticket is to be treated with a great performance by the players on the pitch.
Can Ghana Teach A Lesson To England Debut Boy Danny Welbeck?
Following the withdrawal of Spurs’ Aaron Lennon from England’s squad due to a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck has been called up to fill the hole created. The young forward is fresh from scoring against Denmark last Thursday for England’s U-21 team.Danny Welbeck has already angered Ghanaian fans through a few comments which he made concerning the prospect of representing the Black Stars. Welbeck, who has played for England at different youth levels, was quoted as saying by Ghanasoccernet recently:
“My mum and dad are from Ghana, so I’m eligible to play for both countries. I spoke briefly to a guy from the Ghana FA when he came to a Sunderland game to watch John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.