Debate Continues Over Disputed Penalty That Paved Way for Equatorial Guinea Win
Where Equatorial Guinea fans are ecstatic, Tunisian fans, players, coaches and others are furious. The result that sent Equatorial Guinea to the semifinals and Tunisia homeward continued to roil the tournament. During the Saturday match, a late penalty awarded by Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn resulted in Equatorial Guinea tying the score. Javier Balboa then sealed […]
Cote D’Ivoire Trounces Top-rated Algeria; Ghana Pounds Guinea
Before the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament started earlier this month, Wilfried Bony had been newly minted as the best paid African footballer in history, with his signing by Manchester City. His performance leading Les Elephants to a 3-1 victory over Algeria shows why. Bony scored twice Sunday to silence The Desert Foxes– Africa’s […]
Atsu! God Bless You!
For a tournament that has delivered some stunning long range efforts in the past, AFCON 2015 had been very dry so far. Low scoring draws had defined the group stages of this tournament, but fortunately for viewers the playoffs are telling a completely different story. Enter Christian Atsu, the 23-year-old Chelsea player who plies his […]
Equatorial Guinea Advances With 2-1 Win over Tunisia
BATA, Equatorial Guinea _ A controversial penalty at the 90th minute gave Equatorial Guinea the tying goal in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals, and then an opening for an eventual 2-1 victory over Tunisia Saturday. In front of delirious hometown fans, the match was without question the roughest of the 2015 tournament to date, […]
DR Congo Gets Semifinal Berth with Comes-From-Behind Win Over Congo
BATA, Equatorial Guinea _ Congo scored two goals in six minutes at the beginning of the 2nd half, but archrivals Democratic Republic of Congo stormed back with four goals, leading the Red Devils to a 4-2 victory and a berth in the Africa Cup semifinals. Dieumerci Mbokani, who plays for FC Dynamo Kyiv, netted the first […]
Life in Equatorial Guinea Grinds To Halt As Country Roots for Home Team
BATA, Equatorial Guinea _ Life in Equatorial Guinea ground to a halt Saturday, as much of the country prepared to watch the home team take on Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals. Equatorial Guinea last appeared in the quarterfinals in 2012, but for many, this year’s showing has even greater significance. The team […]
Controversial AFCON Lottery Advances Guinea, Sends Mali Home Grumbling
BATA, Equatorial Guinea _ Guinea beat out Mali for the right to advance to the knockout round in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament Thursday, after organizers held a controversial tie-breaker lottery. After three qualifying matches for Group D, only Cote D’Ivoire emerged as a clear winner, with 5 points to advance to the quarterfinals […]
With 1-1 Tie, Mali and Guinea’s Fate Hangs With Lottery
Mali and Guinea battled to a draw in the Africa Cup of Nations Wednesday, leaving the fate of the two Group D rivals in the hands of a highly unusual lottery. Guinea took the lead in the 14th minute with Kevin Constant coolly converting a penalty resulting from a handball by Mali’s Salif Coulibaly. Mali […]
Quarterfinal Matches Get Moved Due to Bad Pitch
MONGOMO, Equatorial Guinea _ Good news for teams scheduled to play on the fraying pitch in the stadiums of Mongomo and Ebebyin. Bad news for the vendors who have been cashing in on fans attending Africa Cup of Nations matches. The Confederation of African Football, organizers of the premier football tournament for the continent, announced […]
They Do Have an Award For That…Trophies
The best African teams go through a rigorous campaign to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, only to face an even tougher assembly of teams in the official tournament. The winning team must endure potential upsets and beat defending champions to obtain continental bragging rights. And what better way to display one’s glory than […]
