AFCON 2017 Qualifier Live Update: Ghana as Rwanda

Follow Sportscrusader.com live text commentary on the AFCON 2017 Qualifier match between the Black Stars on Ghana and the Amavubi’s of Rwanda.

AFCON 2017 Qualifier Live Update: Ghana as Rwanda

Renard Hails Morocco After AFCON Qualification

New Morocco coach Herve Renard hailed his team on Wednesday after they became the first qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The 47-year-old who guided Zambia and the Ivory Coast to the most prized African football trophy was speaking after a 2-0 home win over Cape Verde sealed first place in Group F.

“I was amazed by the determination they displayed,” he said after a second-half brace from Youssef El Arabi secured victory in Marrakech.

“It is important that we maintain in future games the same mindset that was shown when we beat the No. 1-ranked African team twice within four days.

“What we achieved was considerable, but we must remain calm and begin preparing for the finals,” he told reporters.

Renard replaced Badou Zaki as coach of under-performing Morocco a month ago and made a winning debut last Saturday with a 1-0 success in Cape Verde.

The coach, who believes wearing a white shirt on match days brings luck, sprang to prominence in 2012 when he steered Zambia to Africa Cup glory.

Pre-tournament no-hopers, the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) beat Didier Drogba-captained Ivory Coast on penalties in a Libreville final after 120 goalless minutes.

Perennial underachievers Ivory Coast were next to benefit from Renard, winning the 2015 final against Ghana in Equatorial Guinea on penalties after another goalless decider.

Morocco have set the Frenchman, once a garbage collector and night-time cleaning contractor in Paris, the stiff targets of reaching the 2017 Cup of Nations semi-finals and qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The Atlas Lions went into back-ot-back qualifiers against Cape Verde trailing on goal difference, but now have an unassailable six-point advantage.

Renard Hails Morocco After AFCON Qualification

Assifuah And Duncan Start For Ghana Against Mozambique

Coach Avram Grant has named FC Sion striker, Ebenezer Assifuah and Sassuolo versatile player, Alfred Duncan in the Black Stars game against OS Mambas of Mozambique.

The duo missed the first leg clash at the Accra Sports Stadium and will look forward to an impressive and convincing performance to at least retain a place in the final squad for the tournament in Gabon next year.

These are the men to do battle

Razak Braimah keeps his place goal and it’s an unchanged back four – Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye and Baba Rahman.

In midfield, Afriyie Acquah, Agyemang Badu and Alfred Duncan whilst the attack has Jeffery Schlupp, Jordan Ayew and Ebenezer Assifuah.

Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Baba Rahman, Agyemang Badu, Alfred Duncan, Afriyie Acquah, Jordan Ayew, Jefferey Schlupp and Ebenezer Assifuah.

Assifuah And Duncan Start For Ghana Against Mozambique

Arsenal Forward Chooses Nigeria Over England

Arsenal young centre forward, Alex Iwobi has switched allegiance to play for country of his parents birth,  Nigeria. 

The young forward has represented England at junior levels and was deemed to make the mark with the Three Lions (senior national team) thanks to recent impressive performance with his club side.

Alex Iwobi celebrates scoring for Arsenal

Iwobi, 19, is reported in the United Kingdom to have agreed to play for the ‘Super Eagles’ where he believes his chance of getting regular playing time is brighter than with England.

Arsenal Forward Chooses Nigeria Over England

Joseph Lamptey Named Fourth Official

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has named Ghana’s referee Joseph O. Lamptey as the fourth referee in the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) match between Cameroon and Ethiopia on Thursday, January 21, at the Butare Huye Stadium.

This is the second appointment taken up by the Ghanaian referee in the competition, having officiated in the game between Gabon and Morocco last Saturday.

According to CAF, the match will be handled by Ivorian referee Denis Dembele, with Ghanaian David Laryea and Mama Tere from Guinea on lines one and two respectively.

Also in the list of officials are, Angolan Pedro De Moraise Neto will be the Match Commissioner with Dramen Dante of Mali as the Referees Assessor.

 

Source: GNA

Joseph Lamptey Named Fourth Official

Bayisenge Emery Send Elephants To Kigali Bush

Africa Cup of nations Championship host Rwanda opened their tournament with a 1-0 victory over the Elephants of  Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.

Bayisenge Emery solitary goal was enough for Johnny McKinstry’s men to put smiles on the faces of Rwandans. In a heart-pumpig encounter the Ivorians were outclassed as the atmosphere made it difficult for the Les Elephants to find their feet.

The ‘baby Elephants’ devised the rugged strategy and it led to heavy which the beautu of the game as it was dominated by fouls in the middle of the park.

Rwandans alacrity and hard work paid dividends 22 minutes as man of the day Bayisenge Emery free-kick flew into the net.

Ivory coast responded to the wake up call and pushed bodies up the pitch. A promising cross from the right flank almost gave them equaliser, but Ali Sangare gathered with aplomb.

At the other end of the pitch, a cushion was almost achieved when Innocent Habyarimana unleashed a pile driver, but it went wide and flew into the stands.

Michel Dussuyer’s side regrouped and hoped to make use of their strength to bamboozle their way through. Probing questions were asked but Rwanda had answers.

Amavubi marshalled the middle of park and looked to be from a different planet from the others. His superiority showed in every aspect of his game.

Cote d’Ivoire looked to have settled in the game and took control of proceedings as the pendulum swang onto their side. Boua delivered a pin-point cross but it failed to meet the intended target and it sailed across the face of goal.

With recess fast approaching, Cote d’Ivoire looked the much better side but their final balls were nothing to write home about. When they finally to seem t curve an edge, Boua couldn’t connect to finish after interplay left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Cote d’Ivoire were rejuvenated in the second half, dictating play and doing everything right but only a goal was lacking.  However, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Isenge was brought down in the box. Emery took responsibility but his attempt was saved by Sangare in the 60th minute.

The host lost their tempo after the penalty miss and Cote d’Ivoire the advantage but Dussuyer’s men could only keep under pressure without any end product. Hard luck smiled at Guiza as ferocious shot caught goalkeeper Ndayishimiye on the hook, but the woodwork saved Rwanda as they failed to wake up from their siesta.

Ivory Coast would feel they deserve at least a point, but in the end, McKinstry’s side held onto their slender lead from the first half amd chased the Elephants into the bush.

Bayisenge Emery Send Elephants To Kigali Bush