Recent posts by Mike Eckel:
Africa Cup of Nations: The Passion of the Fans
There is nothing quite like football fans. Think the fervor of a religious revival, the uninhibited emotion of a rock concert, the intensity of a political rally. This year’s Africa Cup of Nations is no exception to that rule. Check out some of the beautiful faces attending the matches of the beautiful game in Equatorial […]
Congo Defeats Gabon; Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso Draw
Hosts Equatorial Guinea held Burkina Faso to a goal-less draw Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 tournament, putting the 2013 runners-up in trouble going into their final game of the group qualifying round. Les Étalons saw a surprise first-round loss to Group A rivals Gabon earlier, which means they must eke out a […]
Reporting From Malabo
The Africa Cup of Nations is underway after a controversial build-up to the 30th edition, which included a hasty late switch of hosts to Equatorial Guinea, in the wake of concerns over the Ebola virus. Sixteen nations again line up for the biennial continental championship, seeking Africa’s top football prize at the tournament which finishes […]
Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea Draw 1-1; Mali, Cameroon Also Tie at 1
A 10-man Cote D’Ivoire squad eked out a tie against Guinea Tuesday, hamstrung by a red card for Gervinho whose booking will leave him out of the next match. Les Elephants are consistently ranked one of Africa’s top squads, and many fans were hoping theAfrica Cup redemption after last summer’s disastrous World Cup outing. Guinea […]
Algeria Battles From Behind To Down South Africa; Senegal Beats Ghana
Algeria pulled off a scrappy win-from-behind Monday, recovering from one goal down to beat Group C rival South Africa 3-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Desert Foxes were stunned initially, in the 51st minute when Thuso Phala netted home a goal. But an own goal from Thulani Hlatshwayo tied the game in the 67th […]
Who Are The Players to Watch?
That African teams are a consistent source for some of the football world’s best talent is no surprise to anyone who’s paying attention. Think Didier Drogba, George Weah and Samuel Eto’o. Unfortunately for fans of African football, neither Drogba nor Eto’o will be appearing in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations for their respective sides, […]
Group B Sees Draws For Cape Verde, Tunisia, Zambia and DR Congo
A Congolese supporter grimaces before his side’s matchup against Zambia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 in Ebebiyin, Equatorial Guinea (AP) Africa Cup of Nations Group B rivals Tunisia and Cape Verde battled to a 1-1 draw Sunday as Heldon netted a penalty late in the 2nd half. At the 70th minute, Mohamed Ali Moncer netted home […]
Gabon Tops Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Congo Draw
Gabon overpowered Burkina Faso 2-0 to jump to the top of Group A standings, as the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament got underway on Saturday. Host Equatorial Guinea and Congo battled to a 1-1 draw, meanwhile, in the other opening match of the tournament. Led by goals from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, a striker for […]
The Sonny Side of AFCON
VOA’s Sonny Young previews the tournament, which kicks off today with matches between host Equatorial Guinea and Congo and Burkina Faso v. Gabon: