CAF CC : Solomon Asante Eyes Medeama Scalp

DR Congo based Ghanaian midfielder Solomon Asante is targeting an opening victory over Medeama SC in the CAF confederation cup matches.

The slippery TP Mazembe’s attacking midfielder hailed the quality opposition posed by his compatriots but ruled out any surprise win for the Ghanaians.

The Ghanaians booked their maiden ticket to the money zone of the continental showdown in a stunning manner but will need to outplay their usual self to return home with a point in the opening group stage matches at the noisy Lubumbashi stadium.

Solomon Asante, who joined TP Mazembe from Ghanaian side Berekum Chelsea, has been one one of the key pillars of the Congolese giants since arrival from the Ghana Premier league.

The potable attacking midfielder pledged hell for his Ghanaian brothers ahead of their clash on Sunday.

“Medeama SC is a very good side but victory will be ours. They have faired extremely well in the competition do far but victory will be ours at the end of the game” Solomon Asante briefed sports crusader.

Mazemba crushed out of the champions league in the final hurdle in their quest to defend the trophy whiles Medeama SC booked a place in the money zone for only the first time.

The two sides go head to head on Sunday June 19,2016 at the dreaded Lubumbashi stadium in DR Congo.

CAF CC : Solomon Asante Eyes Medeama Scalp

Benin Preparing For AFCON Qualifier Despite FIFA Ban

Benin have been preparing to host Equatorial Guinea in an 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday despite being banned from global football.

The West African Nation were suspended from global football after a court ruling in the country blocked upcoming elections of the Benin Football Federation (FBF).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to make a decision on whether to cancel the Group C fixture or not as FIFA Council has been given the power to readmit Benin.

The suspension can be lifted when a new FBF Executive Committee has been installed.

But speaking in an interview, Benin’s minister of sport, Oswald Homeky said his outfit is in dialogue with all stakeholders to solve the crisis.

“We are still in discussions with the protagonists of the crisis in the football federation. We remain hopeful”, he said.

The Squirrels squad is currently in Cotonou training for the match while the already eliminated Equatorial Guinea cancelled a friendly against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Thursday, because of the qualifier.

If there is no word from FIFA then Benin will be disqualified from the Nations Cup campaign.

 

Benin Preparing For AFCON Qualifier Despite FIFA Ban

CAF Appoints Ethiopian Referee For Ghana-Mauritius Clash

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ethiopian referees for Ghana’s final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier against Mauritius on Sunday, June 5. 

Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, 35, will be the man with the whistle and will be assisted by his compatriots, Kindie Mussie and Temesgin Samuel Atango.

The Black Stars only need to avoid defeat against Mauritius to seal qualification to the 2017 AFCON finals to be hosted by Gabon.

 

The match will be played at the Belle Vue Stadium in Belle Vue.

CAF Appoints Ethiopian Referee For Ghana-Mauritius Clash

CAF Champions and Confederation Cup Group Phase Draw To Be Held Today

The draw for the group phase of the 2016 CAF Champions league will be held today at the confederation of African (CAF) Secretariat in Cairo at 14H30 local time (12H30 GMT).

The seeded teams of each group will be determined by the Organising committee on the basis of the results achieved by the clubs of the country to which the qualified clubs belong in the previous CAF inter-clubs competitions.

If two clubs belonging to the same National Association inform CAF officially before the date of the drawing of lots, that they will not be able to organise both matches in the same week-end, the following measures shall be applicable.

Up to the 1/8 final round, the drawing of lots will be carried out taking into account- as much as possible- the geographic, economic and sports conditions.

As of the group matches, the drawing of lots will be an integral one. Each team shall play against its opponent one match home and one match away. The team which scores a higher aggregate number of goals in the two matches shall be qualified for the next round.

 
For the Orange CAF Champions League, the eight surviving teams are Al Ahly, Zamalek (both Egypt), AS Vita (DR Congo), ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), ES Setif (Algeria), Enyimba (Nigeria), Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco) and Zesco (Zambia).

Holders Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Ahly Tripoli (Libya), MO Bejaia (Algeria), Medeama (Ghana), FUS Rabat, Kawkab (both Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Young Africans (Tanzania) make up the octet for the Orange CAF Confederation Cup.

NB: Teams from the same federation will be separated in the group stage draw

CAF Champions and Confederation Cup Group Phase Draw To Be Held Today

We Came To Kill - Adotey

Stand-in coach of Medeama SC, Evans Adotey has stated that he set up his team to kill Mamelodi Sundowns at the Essipong Sports Stadium on Wednesday in their CAF Confederation Cup encounter.

However, the Mauve and Yellows laboured to secure qualification to the group stages of the competition after scoring in each half courtesy Malik Akowuah and Bernard Ofori respectively to advance on the away goals rule after their aggregate tie ended 3-3.

Despite achieving the target of the team, Evans Adotey was unhappy with the erratic performance of his boys.

“It is all about keeping our ambition to this level, keeping a clean sheet and ensuring we overturn the two goal deficit.

“I was worried, but the final score determines. We came with one aim by ensuring we kill the game in the first 45 minutes and that was exactly what happened.

“You could see our boys were in desperate mood, they were rushing and desperation set in and it caused us earlier,” the technical director of Medeama said in a post-match presser.

Medeama’s attention will turn to the local league as they await their possible group opponents when the draw is done next Tuesday.

Coach Adotey said he will work on correcting the lapses of his team before they face Dreams FC in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.

“It is all about going back to the drawing board and ensuring that corrections are made for the upcoming competition,” he added.

We Came To Kill - Adotey

Solomon Asante Switches Attention To CAF Confederation Cup

DR Congo based Ghanaian forward Solomon Asante has switched his attention to the CAF Confederation Cup after falling short at the last hurdle in their title defense.

Solomon Asante and his Ghanaian contingents won the 2015 CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe but crushed out of this year’s edition to WAC of Morocco in the final qualification to the group phase.

The former Berekum Chelsea slippery forward however switched attention to the Confederation Cup as a consolation trophy for their failed attempt at defending their crown.

Asante played an integral role for TP Mazembe en route to their continental crown but has so far failed to replicate the kind of performances that earned him royal treatment across the continent.

The disappointed attacking prodigy pledged to lead a crusade in the Confederation Cup to atone for their dreadful title defense.

“We couldn’t defend the CAF Champions League we won last year but we are bent on winning the Confederation Cup to atone for our failed title defense. Collectively we know what it means to win trophies and the Confederation Cup is our next target for now”, Solomon Asante told www.sportscrusader.com.

Asante watched from the bench as TP Mazembe booked their place in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 2-2 aggregate win over Stade Gabesiene of Tunisia.

Compatriots Daniel Nii Agyei and Yaw Frimpong featured for the struggling Congolese in the return leg as they confirmed their place in the money zone of the Confederation Cup on Tuesday.

Solomon Asante Switches Attention To CAF Confederation Cup

We Have To Capitalise On Away Goal

Medeama SC stand-in coach, Augustine Evans Adotey is confident they have the chance to book a ticket to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) side had an away goal in the first leg about two weeks ago in South Africa, and a 2-0 win on Wednesday will secure them a ticket to the group stages.

“It is good we had an away goal there, we just have to capitalize on it and try to score two, three goals,” he told Atinka FM.

“We have to get three goals because that will be more secured, but I am happy we have an away goal going into the second leg and am confident we will deliver.”he said.

We Have To Capitalise On Away Goal

CAF Fines Nigeria, Others For Overcrowding

The Nigeria Football Federation has been fined US$5,000 for overcrowding at its Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna against Egypt on 25 March.

It is one of several sanctions handed out by the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee.

An estimated 40,000 fans took over the stadium in Kaduna designed to hold just 16,000 spectators as the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Egypt.

Nigeria were also warned of further sanctions if similar incidents occur.

Egypt were fined the same amount for the “excessive use of lasers” at the return match against Nigeria in Cairo four days later.

DR Congo, Sudan, Comoros, The Gambia and Kenya were also sanctioned.

Kenya were give a fine of US$10,000 for “players severely contesting referee decisions, supporters throwing stones and police had to use tear gas to disperse crowd.”

The incidents happened as they lost 1-0 in Nairobi in a Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau on 23 March.

The committee also issued a warning about the “security measures in Caf matches” and that in the case of similar incidents, the team may have to play on neutral territory.

A few days earlier when Guinea Bissau beat the visiting Kenyans 1-0 ball boys had invaded the pitch the Guinea Bissau federation were given a warning letter to respect the rules and reinforce security.

There was also a warning letter for Comoros after a spectator got onto the pitch during their 1-0 win over Botswana in a Nations Cup tie.

A spectator also got onto the pitch as DR Congo has they beat Angola 2-1 on 26 March, objects were also thrown on the pitch too for which the Congolese authorities were fined US$5,000.

That amount will double though if the team is found guilty of similar offences in upcoming matches.

The Gambia and Sudan will have to pay US$5,000 for the throwing of missiles, including stones, during their 2017 matches against Mauritania and Ivory Coast respectively.

CAF Fines Nigeria, Others For Overcrowding

Live Update CAF CC: Sundowns vs Medeama

Welcome to Sportscrusader.com live text commentary of the CAF Confederation Cup first leg tie between South African side,  Mamelodi Sundowns and Ghana Premier League side, Medeama SC.

Live Update CAF CC: Sundowns vs Medeama

Mamelodi Sundowns Ready for Medeama Test - Kekana

Hlompho Kekana feels Mamelodi Sundowns can gain much-needed continental experience from the CAF Confederation Cup regardless of its second-tier status.

After being crowned Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions, Sundowns will host Ghanaian club Medeama SC in the first leg of their play-off round at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday (18h00/6pm CAT), with the return leg scheduled for May 17-18 in Sekondi.

The aggregate winners proceed to the group stages draw, taking place on May 24.

For all the belittlement that this competition gets with some labeling it as a trivial consolation of the real deal – the Champions League – Kekana believes it is a worthy cause that keeps their dream of seeking silverware in Africa alive.

“As players we want to play in competitions where there are big teams, where there is competition. You need to test yourself with the big guns,” reckons Kekana.

And true to Kekana’s word there are plenty of big guns in this competition – Esperance de Tunis, Etoile du Sahel, TP Mazembe and Al-Merrikh are all teams that are still considered powerhouses on the continent despite being in the ‘shadow competition’ this year.

“This is what we do as Mamelodi Sundowns. We want to apply ourselves in every match and try to win matches. It is a good feeling to win matches and for us to go to Africa every now and then is a lesson that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. I personally love to go to

those places and try to see how far I am in terms of the character that I have.”

“I am going to be a father one day so I need to be a tough man. These are games that we still need to play to gauge how far we can compete on the continent so there is absolutely no way we will be looking down on this competition,” said Kekana.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ready for Medeama Test - Kekana

Medeama Name Squad For Sundowns

Medeama SC have named a 20-man squad for their CAF Confederations Cup game against South African side, Memalodi Sundowns.

The Mauves and Yellows are expected to depart for South Africa today (Thursday) after after their initial departure date was rescheduled due visa acquisition challenges.

Medeama’s 20-man squad for the trip to South Africa.

Goalkeepers: Muntari Tagoe, Michael Sai, Yaw Ansah

Defenders: Daniel Amoah, Paul Aidoo, Moses Sarpong, Victor Ayire, Francis Addo, Samuel Adade

Midfielder: Malik Akowuah, Kwame Boahene, James Akaminko, Bismark Oppong, Emmanuel Yeboah, Eric Kwakwa

Striker: Samuel Bio, Abbas Mohammed, Enoch Attah Agyei, Benjamin Bature, Bernard Ofori

Technical Staff

Tom Strand (Head Coach)

Evans Adotey (Technical Director)

Ben Owu (Goalkeepers Coach)

Henry Asante (Physiotherapist)

Abass (Team Manager)

Samuel Akyeh (Equipment Officer)

Medeama Name Squad For Sundowns

CAF CL: Asante Devastated By TP Mazembe"s Elimination

DR Congo based Ghanaian international Solomon Asante has revealed been left devastated by the surprised elimination of TP Mazembe from the money zone of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

The quick footed TP Mazembe talented forward failed to inspire the reigning CAF champions league holders into the group stages and has openly expressed his devastation at the setback.

The former Berekum Chelsea star forward missed out at the final hurdle for a place in the last eight after a dramatic 1-1 home draw with Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco to go out on a 3-1 aggregate.

The reigning Champions failed to overturn a 2-0 deficit in Morocco at the scary Lubumbashi Stadium in DR congo.

Solomon Asante, who remains one of the finest in the Mazembe set up, sumptuously set up Salif Coulibaly to set the stadium alive before leaving the pitch after 77 minutes.

The disappointed forward however revealed after the game, “It was one of the saddest days in my entire football career so far. We had all the chances but luck wasn’t on our side as defending champions and we missed out on the last eight place’s, Solomon Asante said after the game.”

Compatriot Yaw Frimpong and Daniel Nii Adjei both featured 90 minutes in the eventual 1-1 thriller.

Mazembe drops to CAF Confederation Cup where they could again ink their names into the annals of CAF with another triumphant performance in the second tier continental showdown

CAF CL: Asante Devastated By TP Mazembe"s Elimination

Defending Champions Out Of CAF Champions League

Holders TP Mazembe have been knocked out of the 2016 African Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate loss to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

The Moroccans drew the return encounter 1-1 in Lubumbashi on Wednesday after winning the first leg 2-0 in front of their home fans.

Mazembe will now drop down to the Confederation Cup play-offs for a place in the group phase of the competition in an attempt to win continental silverware this year.

Eight-times record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt also progressed at the expense of Tanzania’s Young Africans.

The Egyptians’ powerhouse won their return encounter 2-1 in Cairo to advance on a 3-2 aggregate after drawing 1-1 in Dar es Salaam in the first leg.

Elsewhere in the competition, ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast also made it through on a 3-2 aggregate despite losing their second leg to Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli 2-1 on Wednesday.

AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo went through on the away goals rule after losing the second leg against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in Pretoria.

The draw for the group stage will be held on 24 May in Cairo, Egypt.

Defending Champions Out Of CAF Champions League

Former Champions Through To Group Phase of CAF Champions League

Former Africa champions Zamalek of Egypt and Entente Setif of Algeria have joined Zambia’s Zesco United in the group stages of the African Champions League.

Zamalek grabbed a late equaliser against Mouloudia Bejaia of Algeria to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Setif, African champions in 2014, were held to a goalless draw at home by Sudan’s Al Merreikh but go through on the away goal rule having earlier drawn 2-2 in the first leg.

Zambia’s Zesco beat Mali’s Stade Malien 2-1 on Tuesday to complete a 5-2 victory on aggregate to reach the Champions’ League group stage for the first time.

The losers get a second chance as they enter the draw for the play-offs in the second-tier Confederation Cup competition.

In that competition, former African champions Esperance of Tunisia booked their place in the play-off round of the competition on a 4-2 aggregate win over Tanzania’s Azam.

They have been joined in the next stage by fellow Tunisians, Stade Gabesian who beat Zambia’s Zanaco 3-0 on aggregate while Sagrada Esperanca of Angola went through at the expense of  V Club Mokanda of Congo.

Former Champions Through To Group Phase of CAF Champions League

Draw For Confed Cup Second Round Set For April 24

The draw for the 2nd 1/8th round of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup 2016 will take place on Thursday, 21 April 2016 at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt at 14H00 local time (12H00 GMT).

The winners of the 1/8th round of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup will be pitted against the losing clubs of the 1/8th round of the Orange CAF Champions League, to determine the eight clubs for the group phase.

The first leg matches will be held on the weekend of 6-8 May 2016 and the second leg from 17-18 May 2016.

The draw for the group phase of both the Orange CAF Champions League and Orange CAF Confederation Cup will be held on 24 May 2016 in Cairo, Egypt.

Draw For Confed Cup Second Round Set For April 24

Mazembe On Brick of Champions League Exit

Holders TP Mazembe of DR Congo must overcome a 2-0 deficit against visiting Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the African Champions League.

The two clubs meet on Wednesday in the second leg of their tie with the winners progressing to the group stages of the tournament.

The losers get a second chance as they enter the draw for the play-offs in the second-tier Confederation Cup.

For the first time continental club matches are being played in midweek.

Mazembe’s French coach Hubert Velud described the club’s players as “incredible professionals” when he was hired this year.

The clubs also met in a last 16 tie five years ago with Wydad winning 1-0 at home and losing 2-0 away only to be reinstated when Mazembe were disqualified for using an ineligible player.

Wydad went on to finish runners-up, the second best showing by the club from the Moroccan commercial capital after winning the 1992 competition.

Mazembe have been much more successful, winning the premier African club competition in 1967, 1968, 2009, 2010 and last year.

But their African campaign this year has been less convincing.

Mazembe On Brick of Champions League Exit

Satellites To Play Cameroon In An International Freindly

The newly assembled Black Satellites, is set to host Cameroon in an international friendly ahead of next month’s African Youth Championship qualifiers.

The national U20 side, would welcome their junior indomitable lions to the Accra Sports Stadium on April 22, 2016, as they look to sharpen up their preparations for next month’s qualifiers.

Masud Did Dramani’s newly assembled team has been gearing up for the 2016 AYC, with home based freindly ties, but the Lions clash would give the true value of the playing staff before the scheduled game on May 20.

The 2009 FIFA World U20 champions will welcome their West African neighbours for the first leg before heading to Yaounde for the return trip on May 8, 2016.

The two legged freindly clash is part of preparations geared at prunning the squad ahead of the qualification matches proper.

The Satellites will battle the winner of the Ethiopia versus Somalia clash after drawing bye in the opening round of fuxtures.

Satellites To Play Cameroon In An International Freindly

Jordan Ayew Leads A Team Of Star Players Likely To Join The Drop

Aston Villa Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has been included in a team of star players likely to go on relegation with their clubs, at the end of the current campaign.

The trickery Black Stars wideman, has been one of the few shining spots in an otherwise disastrous season for his beleaguered club as they stare at relegation with no hopes of survival.

The Ghanaian, is joined upfront by a Newcastle United duo of Musah Sissoko and Ayoze Perez in a deadly attacking partnership.

Whoscored.com, one of the largest online database website globally assembled, the best eleven players from the basement clubs of the 2015/15 Premiership with just six matches to the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez Toon army dominated the starting XI with five players in the team, whiles Jordan Ayew is joined by two other club mates in Mika Richards and Ibrahima Gueye.

Rob Eliot has been spotted as the best of the three possibly relegated custodians whiles Yunus Kaboul , Yan Mvila sealed their place in the side a representatives from Sunderland.

Best XI Players likely to be relegated Rob Eliot, Darryl Janmaat, Micha Richard, Yunus Kaboul, Rudy Brady, Iddrisa Gana, Yan Mvila, Musah Sissoko, Ayoze Perez and Jordan Ayew.

Jordan Ayew arrived at the Villa Park at the start of the campaign but his 5 odd strikes could not power Aston Villa out of a dreadful start to the season that has three wins to their name all season.

Jordan Ayew Leads A Team Of Star Players Likely To Join The Drop

Medeama’s Emanuel Yeboah Anticipates Difficult Match against Shendi

Highly-rated Medeama SC midfielder, Emmanuel Yeboah is anticipating a tough clash against Al-Ahly Shendi in the CAF Confederation Cup round of 16 first leg tie on Sunday.

The 18-year-old playmaker will start for the Ghanaian side, as they look to continue their fine form in Africa’s second tier club competition.

Speaking in an interview in the build up to the game, the former Madina Miracles man, who has been key for the Tarkwa-based side since joining them at the beginning of the season, admitted that the game won’t be an easy one.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy but we are also ready,” he said

“Naturally they are playing at home so they should be favourites. But football is a universal game and we’ll do our best to make our fans back home happy.

“We have a responsibility to our people and we’re going to do our best to make them smile. But it will require hard work and patience to break through here in Sudan.” he added.

Yeboah, nicknamed ‘ Tarkwa-Messi’, has been a revelation since joining the two-time Ghanaian FA Cup holders.

He has integrated smoothly into the senior team as he continues to churn out impressive displays for the Mauve and Yellows.

Medeama’s Emanuel Yeboah Anticipates Difficult Match against Shendi

Ghana Move Up In Latest FIFA Ranking

Ghana has moved to third place on the latest FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking.

The Black Stars who were previously ranked 41st in the World are now 38 and has regained third position on the African chart.

Coach Avram Grant’s side moved up on the ranking after a win over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Ghana defeated Mozambique 3-1 in Accra before drawing goalless with their counterparts away. The result seems to have pushed the team up on the ranking for the month of March.

The team reclaimed their third position on the African continent behind Algeria who ejected Cape-Verde from the first position as well as Cote d’ Ivoire who occupies the second spot.

Cape Verde are now ranked 6th in Africa and 47 in the World.

Here are the top 10 ranked teams in Africa:
1. Algeria (33)
2. Cote d’Ivoire (34)
3. Ghana (38)
4. Senegal (43)
5. Egypt (44)
6. Cape Verde Islands (47)
7. Tunisia (47)
8. Congo DR (51)
9. Guinea (58)
10. Congo (59)

*In bracket – Current FIFA ranking positions

Ghana Move Up In Latest FIFA Ranking