GRi Sports News 26 – 01 – 2000
Gargo to miss Ghana-Togo match
CAF to be lenient on Ghana, Cameroon and Togo
Kone hopes to 'hit' at CAN 2000
Tunisian goalkeeper apologises for errors
Nigeria's Oliseh says he is burdened by captaincy role
"We didn't deserve to win," says Morocco coach
Gargo to miss Ghana-Togo match
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th January 2000
It is likely the Black Stars central defender Mohammed Gargo would miss the much talked about group A match of CAN 2000 between Ghana and Togo on Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Stars' Team Manager Kojo Fianoo told the GNA in Accra on Tuesday that the player injured his ankle during the opening match with Cameroon on Saturday.
He said Gargo, who plays for Italian Serie A club Udinese, could not land properly after a mid-air tussle with Cameroonian striker Patrice Mboma.
Mr. Fianoo said two other Ghanaian players, striker Augustine Arhinful and utility player Sam Johnson, who had slight injuries, have started training and expressed the hope that they would get better before the "D" day.
He said there are no minors in Africa soccer and that the Black Stars are not giving any thing to chance.
Italian Coach Giuseppe Dossena expressed the hope that his players would improve upon their first game. He, however, admitted that it would be a very tough match.
On a possible replacement for Gargo, he said, he has 22 players and each one is capable of playing.
Dossena said, so far, none of the 16 teams has impressed him and can only make a better assessment each of them after the second round matches.
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CAF to be lenient on Ghana, Cameroon and Togo
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th January 2000
Mr. Abel Nbengue, Press Attaché of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) said although some of the 16 participating countries in the Cup of Nations tournament including Ghana, do not meet the regulations on their sponsors trademarks advertised on their jerseys, CAF can not continue to fine them.
CAF on Monday slapped fines of $2,000 each on Ghana, Cameroon and Togo on grounds that the sponsors trademark sizes exceed the 20cm2 on the shirt and 12 cm2 on their shorts and socks.
Mr. Nbengue told the GNA in an interview in Accra on Tuesday that it CAF has observed that some of the teams already have the trademark and logo of their sponsors printed on the jerseys hence it would be very difficult to continue to fine them.
However, CAF would allow the first eleven players but the reserves and officials would have to cover their outfit or shall have to wear something else.
Mr. Nbengue said it is a shame that at this stage countries like Ghana and Cameroon are still not conversant with the rules.
He said CAF could have increased the fines for the Black Stars for being late for 25 minutes during their Saturday's match.
According to rules, the authorised trademark of the manufacturer is permitted only once on each of the shirt and socks.
The trademark may be used alone as a logo or combined with the name of the manufacturer but shall not exceed 20cm2 on the shirt and 12cm2 on the short and sock.
The rules also state that neither the manufacturer's trademark nor the logo is permitted on the thermal shorts.
But during Saturday's match, players from Cameroon and Ghana wore T'shirts which boldly carried the trademark and logo of their sponsors.
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Kone hopes to 'hit' at CAN 2000
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th January 2000
Kone Ibrahima, 1999 Ivorian footballer of the year said on Tuesday that he is banging his hopes on CAN 2000 to "change his destiny" by playing in Europe.
He told the GNA in an interview in Accra that his only fear is his age.
Kone, 30, a former player of Obuasi Goldfields, who now plays for African Sports in Cote d'Ivoire, said unlike African clubs, European teams are very particular about the age of a player.
The player, who together with Togolese goalkeeper Nibombe Wake and striker Kossi Nutsoudjen helped Goldfields to their first Africa Champions League final, said he wouldn't be too worried if things don't turn in his favour.
On their opening match against Togo on Monday, he said their inability to utilise their chances in the first half allowed the Togolese to gain some confidence to equalise in the second half.
Kone said he considers Ghana a threat to their qualification because of her home support.
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Tunisian goalkeeper apologises for errors
Lagos (Nigeria) 26th January 2000
Tunisian captain and goalkeeper Chokri El-Ouaer has appealed to fans to forgive him for the errors he made in Sunday's 4-2 defeat by Nigeria in the African Nations Cup.
"Making mistakes is normal but I want to tell my mates and fans I'm so sorry for those errors on Sunday," El-Ouaer told Reuters on Tuesday.
"Two of the goals were my fault, I should have done better. And I didn't organise my defence properly."
Nigeria's second goal, a scorching low drive from 25 metres by Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha, slipped underneath El-Oauer's legs.
"I was confused with the flight of the ball because it swerved left and right before it passed me. I couldn't do anything," the goalkeeper said.
El-Ouaer is making his fourth consecutive Nations Cup appearance since his debut in the 1994 edition which Tunisia hosted, going out in the first round.
His miss in a penalty shoot-out cost his club Esperance the trophy in last month's African Champions League final against Morocco's Raja Casablanca.
Tunisia's next match in group D of this tournament is against North African rivals Morocco on Saturday.
"I hope to do better in that game." El-Ouaer said.
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Nigeria's Oliseh says he is burdened by captaincy role
Lagos (Nigeria), 26th January 2000
Sunday Oliseh, Nigeria's newly elected captain, said on Tuesday he was finding his new role a tough challenge.
Juventus midfielder Oliseh was named team captain after striker Daniel Amokachi failed to make the African Nations Cup squad because of injury.
Oliseh led Nigeria to a 4-2 victory over Tunisia in the opening group D match on Sunday.
"It's a great responsibility being the captain of a team where everyone is a star," he told Reuters.
All but one of Nigeria's 22-man squad play for overseas clubs.
"The captaincy band signifies responsibility and authority and the players respect you for that. But you must be cautious in talking to the players because each one thinks differently," Oliseh said.
Oliseh, in an "enforcer role" for Nigeria against Tunisa, said: "I felt like fish out of water in that match.
"I had to concentrate on playing and at the same time ensure every player carries out our game plan. It's a tough job."
In naming Oliseh captain, the Nigerian Football Association said the player was "polished, disciplined and intelligent" and had leadership qualities.
Oliseh, 25, made his international debut in 1993. He was in the Nigerian teams which won the 1994 Nations Cup and 1996 Olympic title.
He also played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, scoring an outstanding volleyed winner in Nigeria's 3-2 defeat of Spain in the 1998 tournament in France.
He stopped playing for his country in August 1998 but was later persuaded to change his mind.
Oliseh is expected to lead the team out in their next game against Congo on Friday.
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Tunisia unperturbed by Loss
Lagos (Nigeria), 26th January 2000
Nigerians were still in celebration mood Monday lapping the Super Eagles' 4-2 victory over Tunisia in their group D opening match of the on-going 22nd African cup of Nations championship, but Tunisian player Zeid Jaziri believes his country could still advance in the tournament.
"We have resolved to put this defeat behind us and work hard for a better result in our next match," declared Jaziri, who said his team was not so worried about the heavy loss.
The Tunisians take on fellow north Africans, Morocco, Saturday and Congo in their last group match 3 February.
Two-time runners-up, the Tunisians are gunning for their first nations cup victory, but must get good results in their remaining matches to realise the dream.
Italian coach Francisco Scoglio is, however, hopeful that the Tunisians have a good chance of qualifying from the Lagos group.
Dismissing suggestions that his team had played under the weather, he said the setting was good, but that the better team won.
Scoglio believes the result of the next group D match Tuesday between Morocco and Congo would be very crucial in determining the fate of the four teams in that group.
Also, from group C in Kano, Sunday's 2-0 defeat by defending champions Egypt, has not demoralised coach Ben Bamfuchile of Zambia, who is upbeat that his team could still qualify from the group, which also includes Burkina Faso and Senegal.
He said although the Zambians had played according to instructions, they had allowed many slips against the rampaging north Africans, seeking their fifth nations cup trophy.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continued to savour Saturday's victory over Tunisia. Dutch coach Johanese Bonfrere, who had been criticised for not allowing Nigerians see the Eagles in action before the tournament, has suddenly become a hero, being eulogised by football fans for his tactical superiority.
Nigeria's critical press was awash Monday with banner headlines celebrating the victory.
'Eagles In Flying Start', roared the Lagos private Post Express newspaper, with a rider, 'Spank Tunisia 4-2'. The National Concord, was graphic: 'Eagles 4-2 Super', it said, while the Vanguard newspaper had a front page photograph of African footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu, and his team captain Sunday Oliseh, congratulating master dribbler Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha, after his first goal against Tunisia.
But despite the victory, some angry fans had harsh words for defender Taribo West, accused of being a weak link in the Eagles line-up.
'Fans Call For Taribo's Head', yelled the National Concord, which alleged that the player's match rustiness could cost Nigeria trophy.
Leading group D with three maximum points, Nigeria's next match is Saturday against Congo, considered the group's under-dog.
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Morocco wins 1-0 over Congo
Lagos (Nigeria) Wednesday 26th January 2000
Morocco, among the favourites to win the African Nations Cup, snatched a late and lucky 1-0 win over less fancied Congo on Tuesday as the Nigerian co-hosts suffered the familiar embarrassment of a floodlight failure at the Surulere Sports Stadium.
It was a tightly fought game especially in the first half with both sides messing up with the few chances that came their way.
The Congolese were unfortunate not to have taken the lead before recess when a long lob by Rolf-Christel bounced in front of goal and went wayward.
Morocco however clinched the victory in the 85th minute when substitute Salaheddine Bassir took advantage of slack defending to score from close range after displacing goalkeeper Brice Samba.
In a Group C match earlier Senegal routed Burkina Faso 3-1 to pick the three points at stake.
Henri Camara, Pape Sarr and Salif Keita scored for Senegal while Dutch-based teenager Ousmane Sanou scored the only goal of the Burkinabes in the second half.
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Okyenhene wishes Stars well
Koforidua (Ghana) Wednesday 26th January 2000
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has sent a goodwill message to the senior national team, the Black Stars, wishing them the best of luck throughout the on-going CAN 2000.
The message issued at Kibi and sent through the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday, said "on my own behalf and on behalf of the Chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa I wish you the best of luck throughout the tournament.
Okyeman is optimistic that the Black Stars will emerge the champions", the statement added.
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"We didn't deserve to win," says Morocco coach
Lagos (Nigeria), 26th January 2000
Morocco's French coach Henri Michel admitted on Wednesday that his side were fortunate to beat Congo 1-0 in their African Nations' Cup match.
"Congo put up a better performance than us because we underrated them and failed to get into our usual stride," said Michel.
"Hadji, for instance, didn't play well because of the humid weather and not the power failure."
The group D game on Tuesday -- won by substitute Salaheddine Bassir's 85th minute goal -- was held up for 15 minutes because of a floodlights failure.
"The power failure wasn't a problem at all for us. You can say it affected both sides," said Michel.
Mustapha Hadji, the 1998 African Player of the Year, agreed he was largely anonymous in the game.
"The weather was too hot for me and the others because we play regularly in Europe where it's cold," he said.
"But I promise it'll be different against Tunisia and we'll win that match well."
Morocco, one of the tournament favourites, play Tunisia, beaten 4-2 by Nigeria in the group's opening game, on Saturday.
"I think Tunisia will play like wounded lions having lost to Nigeria," said Michel. "But we'll be prepared for them. We hope to play superbly..."
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