PompeyFcMad latest update from the African nations.
There were two great games yesterday in the African Cup of Nations. Egypt played Nigeria & Mozambique played Benin.
The first game was a cracker with the holders Egypt coming from a goal behind to beat there biggest rivals in Group C Nigeria 3-1.The Nigeria team included Everton’s Yobo and striker Yakubu, Chelsea’s Mikel & Fulham’s Etuhu.
Egypt nearly took the lead after just 5 minutes, a powerful shot by Zidan was well saved by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Enyeama. 6 minutes later Nigeria scored when Obasi (who wasn’t originally in the 23 man squad) cut inside from the left and from just outside the box, powerfully shot. The keeper got fingertips to it but couldn’t keep it from flying into the bottom right hand corner. On 22 minutes Egypt nearly equalised when Zidan came inside from the left and with his right foot has a cracker of a shot, which just went pass the keepers right hand post. But 11 minutes later Egypt did find there equaliser when Pompey target Emad Moteab found himself one on one with the keeper, the keeper Enyeama ran out of his area only for Moteab to go round him and tap it into the open net. 9 minutes after the break Egypt then took the lead when, Zidan ran into the box and played it back to Hassan who had a powerful shot from outside the box, it then took a massive deflection off Nigeria defender Taiwo and flew passed a confused goalkeeper into the top right hand corner. On 61 minutes Egypt nearly went 3-1 up with a Zidan freekick, Zidan curled it perfectly over the wall and it was heading for the bottom right hand corner until Enyeama made a find save down by his right hand post. With 11 minutes to go Pompey striker Kanu replaced Chelsea midfielder Mikel, which was a surprise to everyone as Mikel was one of Nigeria’s best players on the field. With 2 minutes to go Egypt wrapped up the game when Geddo won the ball off Kanu and played a through ball to Moteab who from outside the box shot and scored into the bottom right hand corner.
Kanu and all the other Prem players played great, but Egypt were too good.
Zidan, who plays for German club Borussia Dortmund and Pompey target Moteab, are two players that I’m going to keep my eye on in this tournament. Two great player who I think Premiership clubs (I hope Pompey) will be looking at to sign in the near future.
Pompey Player Rating:
Kanu 5/10
The days late kick off saw another good game when Mozambique drew 2-2 with Benin. Now I didn’t watch this as I was watching the Pompey game, but I got info from other reports.
Benin (who never have got a single point in the ACON) got a penalty on 15 minutes when Omotoyossi was brought down by Mozambique keeper Rafael. Omotoyossi then stepped up to score the penalty to put Benin 1-0 up. Benin then when 2-0 up when Khan headed it into his own net after a defensive mix up by Mozambique. But Mozambique came back fighting with a headed goal by Lobo and Goncalves’ strike after a mistake from the Benin goalkeeper made the game all square.
There are two game today, both from Group D:
Cameroon v Gabon, 16:00 (Which could feature Spurs players Ekotto & Bassong, Arsenal’s Alex Song, Burnley defender Bikey, former Chelsea & Newcastle defender Geremi & former Barcelona and now Inter striker Eto’o all playing for Cameroon)
Zambia v Tunisia, 18:30
Both Games are LIVE on Eurosport UK.
Written by PompeyFcMad.
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