Videos: African qualifiers

Ghana’s comfortable win yesterday was aided by Mali and Benin, who combined with a 1-1 draw and ensured the Black Stars went seven points clear at the head of Group D.

Mali conceded a goal three minutes from the end of their match in Cotonou.

Mamadou Samassa netted on debut. Samassa recently switched his footballing nationality from France.

MALI - BENIN
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Another former French junior international Nabil Taider scored for Tunisia as they drew 2-2 away in Nigeria to keep up a two-point lead in Group B.

Morocco’s Adil Taarabt came on as a substitute and dribbled through the Togo defence in stoppage time in Lome on Sunday to give his country a 1-1 draw in their Group A match. Here's the video:

Only the five group winners qualify for the World Cup from the final phase of African qualifiers. Africa will have six representatives in 2010 because hosts South Africa are automatically in the field.

Ivory Coast had routed Burkina Faso 5-0 on Saturday.

Algeria also won 1-0 against Zambia as you can see in the video below:

And meanwhile South Africa continued their preps as well with a game with Germany that they were unable to win:

Ghana is there...but there's no fever. Wassup?

Yesterday, the Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac became the second man from that country -in succession- to take Ghana to the World Cup.

And he did it with his team of Black Stars at the Ohene Djan Stadium. the atmosphere was nothing short of electric and the boys cruised to victory with a minimum of fuss.

Work done. 2010 is at the corner. Yawn.

Yet I had the distinct feeling that the mood in the country was one of simple joy not wild ecstasy like it was the first time Ghana qualified for Germany. Well, maybe the people here are getting used to being World Cuppers. Sheesh.

See the highlights of the game then:

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Well done to the Black Stars and with that they become the 8th country (overall) to get tickets to SA and the first in Africa.

We can't wait!

Used: Richard Kingson; John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo, John Mensah; Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah/Laryea Kingston, Sulley Muntari/Haminu Draman; Matthew Amoah/Asamoah Gyan

Substitutes not used: William Amamoo, Opoku Agyemang, Isaac Vorsah, and Derek Boateng.

What the Ghanaman could not, the Serbians have done. Twice.

When history comes to be written, the football bards would sing a song.
The first stanza of the song will say that four years ago, Ratomir Dujkovic did a great job of taking Ghana to its first World Cup.

Never mind that he was the fifth in a series to coaches to steer the Black Stars into the World Cup after Sam Arday, Mariano Barreto, held the fort in the qualifying series.

Now, in 2009, the second stanza will likely say that another Serbian is doing same.
Milovan Rajevac Some great coaches in the nation’s history have failed to do that: Robert Mensah, Ibrahim Sunday, CK Gyamfi, Malik Jabir, Ben Kusi and Osei Kofi among others.

And then there are others like Jones Attuquayefio, EK Afranie – all these mentioned coaches had great players like Anthony Yeboah, Abedi Pele, Isaac Paha, Abdul Razak, Mohammed Polo, Peter Lamptey, Dan Owusu, Awuley Quaye and Kwasi Owusu and countless others.

But hey, we shouldn’t forget that the money, too, has counted.
Dujkovic did it four years ago on a modest salary of $15000 a month and Milo is doing it with a paycheck that is five times over. How much are we willing to pay Ghanaians to take us to the world cup?

That, I believe, is another bone to pick on another day.

ps: Never mind that Ghana is not fully at the World cup....they are already there as far as I am concerned!

Milo's matchmakers for Zambia: Appiah returns

Ghana's coach Milo Rajevac has named his squad for next week's Zambia game in England. The main item of interest here is that Stephen Appiah, though clubless, has been called back into the team despite the fact that he was heavily criticised for what many thought was a disastrous performance due to his clubless state.

Remember he also opted out of the Sudan/Mali games because he said he was having some personal issues - which I felt was misplaced. Apart from that and the fact that Muntari and Laryea are also on the return, there's nothing really special about the list.

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic, England), George Owu (Al Masry, Egypt)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Basel FC, Switzerland), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Unattached), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Laryea Kingston, (Hearts, Scotland) Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Haminu Draman (Russia)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Mathew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Prince Tagoe (Hoffeinham, Germany) and Eric Bekoe (Egypt)

Next up for Ghana: Zambia

It is now confirmed: Ghana's Black Stars play Zambia on August 12.

Zambia is, of course, now managed by former Ghana physical trainer, Renard Herve.

It'll be at the Matchroom Stadium aka the Brisbane Road which is the grounds of English League One side, Leyton Orient. Ghana are pretty at the top of Group D, five points clear in the qualifiers play against Sudan at home.

Coach Milovan Rajevac will use the game as part of the team's prepsAfrican qualifying for the 2010 World Cup which restarts in September.

Zambia will also use the game to prepare for their impending World Cup qualifier - they are still challenging for a place in South Africa as they remain third in their group after having missed out of all previous attempts to the World Cup.

World Cup qualifying: reviews and videos

I had a rotten day yesterday after a torrent of rain poured down the capital (we're in the rainy season)

Anyway because of that and to save time I will accumulate the rest of the weekend's qualifying videos into this post.

Burkina Faso 2 - Cote d'Ivoire 3

Barcelona’s Yaya Toure opened the scoring in the 11th minute but Jonathan Pitroipa levelled in the 27th-minute. A Mamadou Tall own goal and a third from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba gave the visitors some breathing space before Aristide Bance pulled one back with 12 minutes remaining. See the highlights here.

Zambia 0-2 Algeria

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra opened the scoring and Rafik Saifi doubled the lead just after the hour mark.



Tunisia 0-0 Nigeria

The point for the visitors ended the hosts’ perfect record, but the Carthage Eagles remain two points clear of the Super Eagles at the top of the table.



All the above games were played on Saturday, June 20. However, on Sunday Mali played Benin. Mali started badly going down to a goal from Benin’s Seidath Tchomogo in the 12th minute from a corner. But the scores were level 10 minutes later when Modibo Maiga fired home. Mamadou Diallo put Mali into the lead sliding the ball in from close range in the second half, and then with seven minutes remaining Fredi Kanoute scored a diving header to confirm the Eagles’ win.

See the highlights here.
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Sudan 0-2 Ghana - video

I was in the studios of TV3 at the time this game was played.

Spain - South Africa was on and we were talking about that so immediately we went off air, we had two games to watch, obviously because Ghana - Sudan was important as well.

In the 5th minute Prince Tagoe laid the ball to Matthew Amoah who put the ball where it belonged. The NAC Breda man followed in the second half with one similar to the one he scored against Mali.


Sudan 0 - Ghana 2



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The win hands Ghana 9 points in Group D and have a hundred percent record in the qualifiers so far.

Ghana line up:

Richard Kingson, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, John Mensah, Eric Addo, Michael Essien, Anthony Annan, Opoku Agyemang/Isaac Vorsah, Mathew Amoah/Junior Agogo, Prince Tagoe/Haminu Draman, Kwadwo Asamoah.

Unused Subs: George Owu, Samuel Kyere, Moussa Narry,and Jonathan Quartey.
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Sudan - Ghana preview

Sudan - Ghana

Venue: Al Merreikh Stadium, Omdurman

World Cup/ Nations Cup qualifier

Saturday 20 June 2009

Kickoff: 1730 GMT

So, the Black Stars have left Kenya for Sudan. Today, they play in this important World/Nations Cup qualifier. A win for Ghana would surely mean they are through to Angola - at the very least. A fortnight ago, the Ghanaians were powered to a fine 2-0 win over Mali in Bamako.

Not too far from there - in the African sense - is Omdurman. There, Sudan would love to cause an upset and beat Ghana.

Ghana are at the top of Group 4 with six points and a victory will boost their chances of making their second World Cup finals appearance.

Sudan, on the other hand, lost 1-0 to Benin and complicated their chances of qualifying for South Africa. Yet, the door to Angola 2010 is not closed to them as yet.They are with only one point from two games.

After training in Kenya and beating locals Oserian FC 3-0, the Black Stars will have to do without important players such as skipper Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, Laryea Kingston.

Defender John Paintsil (suspended) will miss the game and feels a bit down - but not out:

"Yes, It's two things now. First of all I feel disappointed I am not with the team that am not playing because I have two yellow cards but am confident of a win," Paintsil told ghanasoccernet.
"What I can say now is that each and every one of us is prepared to die for the nation and there's competition.

"So am not panicking now. I have full confidence in the team that travelled to Sudan and I believe that they are going to deliver."
Samuel Yeboah was included in the squad to strengthen the attacking line.

Meanwhile Sudan's coach Stephen Constantine is also as optimistic as Paintsil yet he is keeping his cards close to his bosom, as he told BBC Sport:

"It'll be a very tough game but we're looking forward to it."

"We believe we can cause an upset. "Obviously it's a big game for us here in Sudan, playing against a team like Ghana with all their European stars."

Sudan full squad:

Bahaeldin Abdallah, Mahjoub El Moez, Mohamed Ali Khider, Ahmed Al Basha, Musa Al Tayeb, Amir Damar, Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril, Khalid Hassan, Yousef Alaeldin, Omer Bakheit, Badreldin El Doud, Saifeldin Ali Idris, Hassan Isaac Korongo, Rashard Justin Lado, Mugahid Mohamed, Haitham Mostafa, Mohamed Tahir, Abdelhamid Amari, Faisal Agab, Alaeldin Babiker, Haitham Tambal.

Ghana full squad:

Richard Kingson, George Owu, John Mensah, Eric Addo, Isaac Vorsah, Micheal Essien, Mousa Narry, Samuel Kyere, Samuel Inkoom, Bernard Kumordji, Ernest Papa Arko, Prince Tagoe, Kodjo Asamoah, Mathew Amoah, Opoku Agyeman, Junior Manuel Agogo, Haminu Dramani, Joe-tex Frimpong, Anthony Annan.

Officials:

Centre: Jamel Ambaya (Libya)

Assistants: Abdulfatah Etriki/Ibrahim Farkash (Libya).

Fourth official: Mohamed Imhamed (Libya)

Prediction

Sudan 1-3 Ghana

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Paintsil won't be around for the Sudan drill

One of Ghana's most consistent performers, John Paintsil would sit out of the Black Stars' 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Sudan on June 20.

The Fulham full-back has picked up two bookings so far and is thus suspended for the third group D match in the final round of qualifying.

"I'm gutted," he said, "but you can bet that I would be behind the team all the way."

Paintsil would not be part of the travelling party that departs Accra on Saturday for travelling to Naivasha, Kenya for a training spell ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Sudan.

He has played every single game in the qualifying campaign for Ghana, eight games in all since the series started in June 2008.

Ghana lead the 2010 World Cup qualifying group D with six points, three ahead of second placed Benin.

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Beating Mali, the story and other games

This is the final summary of all the weekend's qualifiers.

Group A
Gabon made it two wins out of two as they easily beat 10-man Togo 3-0 in Libreville.

Togo were a goal down after just 11 minutes with Bruno Ecuele scoring and the Hawks were a man down after 40 minutes following the dismissal of Thomas Dossevi.

Roguy Meye and Moise Brou Apanga scored in the second half to complete a comfortable win for Gabon.

In the group's other game, Cameroon could only draw 0-0 against Morocco in Yaounde on Sunday.

The Indomitable Lions have failed to score so far in the second phase of qualifying.

Cameroon wasted several good scoring chances against the Atlas Lions.

Gabon take control of Group A, they top the group with six points.

Togo are on three, thanks to their win over Cameroon last time out.

Morocco are also struggling in Group A.

They are in third with one point, ahead of the Indomitable Lions who are bottom also with one point.

The next matches take place in two weeks time when Morocco host Togo and Cameroon travel to Gabon.

Group B
Tunisia beat Mozambique 2-0 in Rades in their Group B encounter.

Lens defender Alaeddine Yahia scored from the penalty spot after 21 minutes.

Oussama Darragi, from Tunisian champions Esperance, was then on target for the Carthage Eagles with their second goal in injury time at the end of the match.

Victor Obinna Nsofor scored a brace as Nigeria beat Kenya 3-0 in Abuja.

Ikechukwu Uche took advantage of a defensive slip to open the scoring for the Supereagles in only the second minute of the game.

Kenya had several chances to get into the game, but failed to convert any of them.

Obinna Nsofor scored twice in the second half to ensure the Supereagles wrapped up a comfortable home victory.

Tunisia remain top of the group with six points, Nigeria are second with four.

Mozambique stay in third with a point, Kenya are last and are yet to earn any points.

Tunisia go head-to-head with Nigeria in two weeks time, while Mozambique travel to Kenya.

Group C
Zambia edged past visitors Rwanda with a 1-0 win in Group C.

Rainford Kalaba headed home the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.

The margin of victory should have been larger for the Chipolopolo but Collins Mbesuma shot wide from the penalty spot late in the first half after Emmanuel Mbola was fouled.

The victory takes Zambia to four points, after they drew 1-1 with Egypt in the opening game of the final round of qualifiers.

Rwanda remain on just a single point from their two games.

Algeria shocked their North African rivals Egypt with a 3-1 triumph in Blida on Sunday.

Karim Matmour opened the scoring for the hosts in the 60th minute.

Goals from Abdelkader Ghezzal and Rafik Djebbour soon followed as the Desert Foxes opened a 3-0 lead over the six-times African champions.

Mohammed Aboutraika clawed one back from the visitors with three minutes to go, but it was nowhere near enough.

Algeria go top of the table with four points ahead of Zambia.

Egypt lie bottom, below Rwanda, with a solitary point.

The Pharoahs will hope to restore a semblance of hope to their 2010 World Cup campaign when they host Rwanda in a fortnight.

Algeria meanwhile travel to Zambia.

Group D
Benin were narrow 1-0 victors over Sudan in Cotonou.

Razak Omotoyossi's strike after 19 minutes proved to be the difference between the sides.

In the group's other tie, Ghana secured a 2-0 away victory over Mali.

Kwadwo Asamoah and Matthew Amoah were scorers of the two second half goals.

The Black Stars go back on top of Group D with six points, while Benin lie in second place with three points.

Sudan and Mali have one point each.

Next up for group leaders Ghana is a trip to Sudan, while Mali host Benin.

Group E
Burkina Faso kept up their 100% start to the final round of qualifiers with a 1-0 win over hosts Malawi.

Moumouni Dagano, who plays in Qatar, grabbed the only goal of the game in the 70th minute with a well-taken close-range volley past stranded goalkeeper, Swadik Sanudi.

It was Dagano's 10th goal in the World Cup campaign so far making him the top scorer on the continent for the 2010 qualifiers.

Malawi failed to create any clear chances while the Stallions played a better, more organised game and in the end were worthy winners.

Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri blamed the loss on lack of thorough preparation.

"I always say we need strength-testing matches by real teams but we only played against Rwanda last week," he said.

"If we have to advance we need to prepare thoroughly."

The result gives the Stallions a maximum six points while Malawi are still to get their first point or even score their first goal.

Ivory Coast also made it two wins out of two when they beat Guinea 2-1 in Conakry.

Bakary Kone opened the scoring for the Elephants on the stroke of half time.

Sambegou Bangoura struck an equaliser for the home side halfway through the second half.

But Romaric scored what proved to be the winner seven minutes later and Ivory Coast top Group E with six points on goal difference.

Burkina Faso lie in second and the group's top two teams will face each other in Ouagadougou in a fortnight.

Guinea and Malawi prop up the group.

Both are yet to win a point.

That could change when Malawi travels to Conakry for the next round of matches.

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Qualifier reviews: Algeria 3-1 Egypt

Algeria pulled off a massive result beating the Pharaohs. Karim Matmour opened the scoring for the hosts in the 60th minute, before a Abdelkader Ghezzal header and super solo goal from Rafik Djebbour earned the Desert Foxes a 3-nil lead over the six-times African champions. Mohammed Aboutraika clawed one back for the visitors with three minutes to go, but it was nowhere near enough.



Is the Pharaoh form slipping?

Qualifier reviews: Nigeria 3-0 Kenya

Hello.

Since this past weekend has been one laced with a lof of qualifiers flavour, today's posts may be slanted in that direction.

First is Nigeria at home to Kenya. (June 7, 2009) The Super Eagles started the game with a goal inside the opening two minutes as Ike Uche took advantage of a defensive slip to run through the defence and expertly finish. Inter Milan forward Obinna Nsofor then wrapped up the points in the latter stages, converting a 72nd minute penalty before hitting home a thundering shot five minutes later.



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WCQ qualifying games around Africa

Group 1
Gabon 3 - 0 Togo
B. Ecuele
R. Meye
M. Brou

Group 2
Tunisia 2 - 0 Mozambique
A Yahia
O. Darragi

Group 3
Zambia 1-0 Rwanda
R. Kalanga

Group 5
Malawi 0 - 1 B. Faso
M. Dagano

Friendly
South Africa 1 - 0 Poland
Fanteni
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WCQ qualifying games today

These African/World Cup qualifying matches are yet to be played.

Cameroon - Morocco

Benin - Sudan

Nigeria - Kenya

Guinea - Ivory Coast

Mali - Ghana

Algeria – Egypt
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They're there!

As others battle to get to South Africa 2010, some are already there.

Japan
Takeshi Okada's Japan became the first team to book their place after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. They qualified yesterday.

Shunji Okazaki grabbed the only goal of the game after nine minutes to book a fourth successive finals berth.

Takeshi Okada: "We played very well. I think we should continue playing this style in the remaining matches."

Australia
The Socceroos eased into the World Cup without so much as even conceding a goal in the six matches it took them to qualify. They also qualified yesterday.

A 0-0 draw against Qatar in Doha wrapped things up for Pim Verbeek's team after they picked up 14 points in Group A of the final Asian qualifying phase.

South Korea
The South Koreans secured a seventh successive World Cup finals place thanks to a 2-0 victory over United Arab Emirates in Dubai. They qualified yesterday.

Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yueng grabbed the goals as Huh Jung-Moo's outfit strolled to a place in Africa's first World Cup.

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Sudan beaten, good news for Stars?

Bright Sunday morning.

In news that would do the average Ghanaian supporter a lot of good, Sudan have been beaten 4-0 by Tunisia.

Tunisia got off to a quick start with Oussemma Darragi and Sami Allagui combining to give Tunisia the opener as early as the 10th minute. Sami Allagui doubled the hosts lead, before Radhi Jaidi added the third off a trademark header in the 22nd minute. Radhaouane Felhi completed the rout when he met Khalil Chemmam’s corner after the break.



Seeing that Ghana plays the Sudanese soon in the World Cup, Nations Cup qualifiers, does it mean the Stars have a good chance?

No. The Sudanese, for me just had a bad patch and will recover in time for the September 5 game in Ghana.

PS: I'm having internet problems here, that explains the lull in posts yesterday. Working on them, though

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