2023 AFCON Archives - Page 2 of 5

23 Jan

2023 AFCON: Why Play Richard Ofori Over Ati-Zigi? – Ex-Ghana Goalie Questions Chris Hughton

Wontumi1Uncategorized2023 AFCON, Lawrence Ati Zigi

Former Ghanaian goalkeeper, William Amamoo, has criticized Chris Hughton’s decision to field Richard Ofori, second-choice goalkeeper in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Orlando Pirates goalkeeper who has seen zero minutes started all of Ghana’s group games at the tournament. Ofori faced significant backlash and scrutiny for alleged lapses in concentration, leading to Ghana’s unexpected 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and a 2-2 draw in the final match against Mozambique. In a crucial moment just before full-time, Ofori conceded an avoidable corner kick that was converted by Atletico Madrid defender, Reinildo, allowing Os Mambas to secure a 2-2 draw…

23 Jan

2023 AFCON: Mohammed Kudus Left Distraught After Late Collapse Against Mozambique

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Mohammed Kudus

Black Stars midfielder, Mohammed Kudus was left distraught at the team performance following a late collapse against the Mambas of Mozambique in the final group B game at the Alassane Outtara Stadium in Abidjan on Monday night. Kudus who shone on the day, emerged as the Man of the Match for the second time in a row but struggled to put words together after the game. Ghana failed to hold on to a two-goal lead for the second time running at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, this time against the Mambas of Mozambique after conceding two goals in six…

23 Jan

We Haven’t Been As Good As We hoped for At 2023 AFCON- Black Stars Head Coach

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Chris Arthur

Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton has admitted that his team wasn’t as good as expected at the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire. He said this in his post game presser after Ghana blew a 2-0 lead to end a Group B game against Mozambique tied at 2-2. Ghana led through two converted penalty kicks from Jordan Ayew in the 15th and 70th minute respectively but conceded twice in four minutes after the 90th minute to drop two crucial points. The dropped points mean Ghana can’t qualify automatically to the round of 16 stage and need favourable results in other games to progress…

23 Jan

AFCON 2023: Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue Leads The Scoring Charts With 5 Goals

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Equatorial Guinea

At 34, the twilight years of international football beckoned for Emilio Nsue Lopez in many African nations. Yet, here he stands in Cote d'Ivoire, not fading into the sunset, but blazing across the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (2023 AFCON) sky, his name etched atop the scoring charts in an unexpected resurgence. Usually a stalwart defender or elusive winger for the European clubs he's graced, Nsue has found a rejuvenated spirit in his preferred no. 9 role for Equatorial Guinea. The Cote d'Ivoire air seems to invigorate him, for after a hat-trick heroics against Guinea-Bissau, his boots continued their symphony…

23 Jan

AFCON 2023: Mozambique Hold Ghana After Black Stars Let 2-Goal Lead Slip

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Ghana VS Mozambique

Two goals from two penalties, and seemingly destined for the round of 16, Ghana's Black Stars imploded in the dying embers of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (2023 AFCON) clash against Mozambique, surrendering a 2-0 lead for a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday night. This late collapse extends Ghana's winless streak at the tournament to a record seven games, leaving a nation in mourning and raising questions about the future of the once-dominant side. The result means the four-time AFCON winners ended the group stage with two points which has historically not been enough…

22 Jan

We Haven’t Scored Too Many Goals From Corners- Chris Hughton Ahead Of Mozambique Tie

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Chris Hughton, Ghana VS Mozambique

Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton, admits his side hasn’t scored too many goals from corners in the lead up to Ghana’s crucial tie against Mozambique in Group B at the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire. He said this in a pre game press conference as Ghana aims to secure its first win of the tournament after losing 1-2 to Cape Verde and drawing 2-2 with Egypt. In the loss to Cape Verde, Ghana defender Alexander Djiku got a headed goal off a Jordan Ayew corner kick but the Black Stars haven’t any since the commencing its AFCON campaign on…

22 Jan

2023 AFCON: Injured Egypt Star Mohamed Salah To Have ‘Rehab’ At Liverpool

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Mo Salah

Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool for treatment on the leg injury he suffered at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Egypt are hopeful he can come back for a potential semi-final. Salah was injured in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday in Group B. “It makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Sunday, before Egypt confirmed the forward’s return. Egypt face Cape Verde on Monday and will reach the knockouts with a win. The Egyptian Football Association had initially said on Friday that Liverpool forward Salah would only feature in the tournament…

22 Jan

2023 AFCON: Calls For Calm In Guinea After Six Fans Die Amid AFCON Celebrations

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON

The Guinean football federation (Feguifoot) and former star Pascal Feindouno have called for calm after supporters died back home celebrating the country’s first win at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea beat The Gambia 1-0 in their second group game in Ivory Coast on Friday night, sparking widespread celebrations across the West African nation. Six people died after the team ignited their Nations Cup campaign, Feguifoot has told the BBC after fans took to the roads of the Guinean capital Conakry to celebrate in cars and on motorcycles. “What is important is that our fans and the public celebrate in…

19 Jan

2023 AFCON: Why Osman Bukari Was Substituted After 16 Minutes – Chris Hughton

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Bukari

Coach Chris Hughton has explained the decision behind substituting Osman Bukari just 16 minutes after coming on. The Red Star Belgrade winger replaced Inaki Williams in the 73rd minute but Bukari’s brief appearance was marred by a crucial mistake that led to Mostafa Mohamed’s scoring and was substituted in the 89th minute. Hughton revealed in a post-match statement that, the decision to substitute Bukari was prompted by concerns about the player’s mindset following the pivotal error. According to him, the coaching staff collectively agreed that withdrawing Bukari was necessary, as they believed the weight of his mistake might negatively impacted…

19 Jan

2023 AFCON: We Must Beat Mozambique For The Three Points – Mohammed Kudus

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus has emphasized the team’s determination to secure three points in their upcoming match against Mozambique. This declaration comes in the wake of the Black Stars’ 2-2 draw against Egypt on Thursday night at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The draw against Egypt left Ghana in a precarious position, having previously lost to Cape Verde in Group B. Kudus, who scored a brace and was awarded Man of the Match, expressed his frustration at not clinching a victory against the record champions, with Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed securing the draw…