Can 2010: Arrival Of The Black Stars |
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Africa Cup of Nations - ANGOLA 2010 |
$20,000 for each Stars player * Source: Myjoyonlnre / 02.02.2010 |
President John Evans Atta Mills has given $20,000 to each of the 23-man Black Stars team for their sterling performance at Angola 2010.
The presentation was made Tuesday during a lunch hosted by the president in honour of the players and handlers.
The Stars lost 1:0 to overwhelming favourites Egypt in a final on Sunday.
With over six regular Black Stars players out of the team due to injury, many had doubted the chances of the Black Stars and it came as a huge surprise when they qualified for the finals.
Joy Sports’ Nathaniel Attoh reports of jollity and camaraderie from the Castle Gardens at the Osu Castle where the 23-man Black Stars squad and technical team converged for the ceremony.
Captain Richard Kingson donated his orthographed number 22 jersey, the one he wore during the final against Egypt, to the president. A smiling President Mills was happy for the gift and promised to don it in 2012, a strategic time, he said.
Soothing music was provided by the Dansoman Youth Choir who sang songs exclusively made for the Stars.
Seven members of the technical team also received $20,000 each.
The team had early on been presented with 30,000 each as qualification bonus for the Stars in making a quarter final berth, while their progression from the quarter-final and semi-final received good bonuses. |
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Angola 2010: Ayew's Header Sends Ghana Through To Quarter-Finals (65min) * Source: Yahoo Sports/Ghanasoccernet.com |
Andre Ayew's header ensured Ghana progressed to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Burkina Faso.
The Black Stars, who were without injured Chelsea star Michael Essien, had to win to stay in the tournament after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast in their opening fixture.
And Ayew's 30th minute goal handed Milovan Rajevac's side the three points they needed while Burkina Faso head home without scoring a goal.
Ghana, having lost their opening match to Ivory Coast, knew they had to win to reach the last-eight following Togo's withdrawal from the competition.
Their task was made all the more difficult with the news that Michael Essien has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament but Ayew's header on the half-hour mark settled a scrappy affair in Luanda and ensured Ghana will face hosts Angola in the last eight.
"We had to work hard but we managed to get the win. We did it as a team and we know we have a good team spirit here," Ayew said.
"We were under a lot of pressure but it was very important for us to get the victory. We know that Angola have a very good team and lots of support but anything can happen in the next round."
Burkina Faso midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa, on the books of German outfit Hamburg, had the first opportunity of the match after a forceful run into the box, but he could only scuff his shot wide.
Neither team could settle into any sustained periods of concise passing as tackles flew in on a difficult playing surface in the Angola capital.
So it was unsurprising that the opener goal was a header. The Burkina Faso defence failed to clear a cross and the ball was delivered back into the box by Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom, who found Ayew in plenty of space to nod the ball home.
Five minutes later the Stallions missed a glorious chance to equalise when Paul Koulibaly was left unmarked from a swirling free-kick but the defender could not connect cleanly enough with his acrobatic overhead kick.
After the restart it Ghana who dominated possession. The dangerous Haminu Dramani was a constant thorn in the side of Burkina Faso and had he showed more composure in front of goal he could have had a hatful.
His mazy run on 55 minutes almost produced a superb goal but he could not find the target while he screwed the ball wide with 15 minutes remaining with just the goalkeeper to beat.
In between those two chances however, Mahamoudou Kere missed an excellent chance to level things up but just failed to reach a swirling free-kick with just goal beckoning.
But when Mamadou Tall was harshly shown the red cards for an alleged elbow on Asamoah Gyan on 70 minutes, the Stallions task got far harder.
And with a one-man advantage, Ghana eased towards the final whistle, although they were nearly made to pay in injury time, only for Moumouni Dagano to waste a well-placed free-kick.
Ghana, a four-time tournament winner, will play Angola Sunday in Luanda. Group winner Ivory Coast will stay in Cabinda for its quarterfinal against fellow World Cup qualifier Algeria. |
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Ghana await news of Essien scan * Source: Ghanasoccernet.com / 18.01.2010 |
Ghana are awaiting news of a scan on the injured knee of stand-in captain Michael Essien on Monday after being taken to a Luanda hospital by ambulance from training at the African Nations Cup finals.
The Chelsea midfielder hurt his right knee in a tackle with teammates as Ghana were preparing in the Angolan capital for Wednesday's key Group B match against Burkina Faso.
He is now in doubt for a match that Ghana must win to stay in the competition, and could be sidelined even longer if the initial serious nature of the injury proves to be true.
"He was taken to a local hospital for a scan and we'll get the results back on Monday," Ghana's team press officer Randy Abbey said on Monday.
"We will then have a clearer idea of whether he can play."
Essien has played just 45 minutes at the tournament in Angola, arriving almost a week after the rest of the squad.
He had been given time to recover from a hamstring injury at his London club and was further delayed when his flight from Britain was cancelled because of the heavy snow and poor weather in Europe.
Essien was brought on for the second half of Ghana's 3-1 loss to neighbours Ivory Coast in Cabinda on Saturday, but obviously still struggling with the injury and his fitness as he made little impact on the game. |
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Ghana rocked by new Essien injury * Source: BBC |
Ghana's Michael Essien is a doubt for Tuesday's must-win clash with Burkina Faso, after picking up a fresh injury.
The Chelsea midfielder hobbled off the Black Stars' team bus after training with an injury to his right knee.
Officials confirmed it is a different injury to the hamstring problem that prevented him from starting Friday's 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast.
"I don't know the extent of the injury but we will find out later," Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac told BBC Sport.
Shortly before 1500 local time on Sunday, the 27-year-old was taken to hospital in an ambulance as he went for tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Essien, who played 45 minutes as a second-half substitute in the Group B clash in Cabinda, trained on Sunday morning but had to come off early.
He had only returned to training with Chelsea on 6 January after nearly a month out, having not played since suffering a hamstring injury on 8 December.
If Ghana fail to beat the Burkinabe on Tuesday, the World Cup finalists will exit the Nations Cup.
Ivory Coast have already qualified from Group B, with four points from two games, while Burkina Faso have one point and Ghana none.
After Togo's withdrawal from the competition following the gun attack on their bus, Group B was reduced to three teams and just three matches. |
Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana * Source: Ghanafa.org |
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Milo admits Ivory Coast superiority * Source: GNA / Friday, 15 January 2010 |
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has admitted his side lack the experience to turn their possession into penetration which resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Friday night at the Nations Cup.
The Serbian's starting line-up included six players who were making their Cup debuts and had to start Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan from the bench due to injuries.
A first half goal from Gervinho and a perfect free-kick from Siaka Tiene midway through the second half before Didier Drogba sealed it with a last minute header.
Asamoah Gyan who was fouled in the Ivorian box, elected himself for the spot-kick and got a consolation for the Black Stars.
After the match, Rajevac insisted his side was better on the night and that the socreline did not reflect proceedings.
''We all saw the match and it would not be unfair if the result was 3-0 for us and the Ivory Coast team is much experienced than our team," Rajevac said at a press conference.
"I think most part of the match we played much better we had better chances but unfortunately it was hard luck Ivory Coast scored.
"Today quality and experience was key to the victory for Ivory Coast. Our next match is for us to be or not to be like it was for Ivory Coast. So we will do our best to prepare the team and win this match."
Rajevac explained his midfield dynamo Michael Essien who excluded from the starting line-up after impressing in the team final training session a day before.
"You know that Essien came two days ago and we was injured same as with Asamoah Gyan. They were not ready to play 90 minutes even to play 45 minutes it was a big risk and that is why they didn't start the match," he said.
"I think we have enough time-three more days-so I hope they will be ready to start the match against Burkina." |
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| ..and the winner is: |
| Ten-man Ivory Coast became the first side to reach the last eight of the Cup of Nations after defeating Ghana 3-1. The Elephants broke the deadlock through Gervinho on 23 minutes with a classic counter-attacking move. The Ivorians extended their lead in the 66th minute when Siaka Tiene curled a left-foot free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Didier Drogba headed in from a delightful cross before Asamoah Gyan converted a late penalty for Ghana. PEN: Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana: Gyan (90+3 pen)
GOAL: Ivory Coast 3-0 Ghana: Drogba (90)
GOAL: Ivory Coast 2-0 Ghana: Tiene (66) SENT OFF: Ivory Coast, Eboue, Serious Foul Play (55)
ACNB: HT Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana
GOAL: Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Gervinho (23)
Starting team : Richard Kingson, Samuel Inkoom, Ibrahim Ayew, Eric Addo, Isaac Vorsah, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Andre Ayew, Moussa Narry, Mathew Amoah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Opoku Agyemang
Subs : Philemon McCarthy, Hans Adu Sarpei, Asamoah Gyan, Ransford Osei, Jonathan Mensah, Anthony Annan, Micheal Essien, Lee Addy, Daniel Adjei, Dominic Adiyiah, Harrison Afful, Haminu Draman. |
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President Mills consoles Togo * Source: GNA |
Accra, Jan.15, GNA- President Evan Atta Mills last Tuesday consoled the people of the Republic of Togo and condemned "the tragic and unwarranted attack on the national football team of Togo on Friday 8th January, 2010 as it journeyed to Cabinda, Angola to participate in the CAN 2010 football tournament."
According to a Ministry of Information statement copied to the GNA, President Mills expressed the hope that those who committed "the senseless attack that led to the loss of innocent lives and injuries to members of the Togolese team" will be brought to book "Football as a popular sport is one of the unifying forces of all peoples and thus it is unfortunate that the incident has impaired the joy and excitement with which the international community had anticipated the CAN 2010 competition."
The President said:" It is our hope that providence will grant the people of Togo the fortitude and resilience to overcome this moment of grief. May the Good Lord grant eternal peace to the souls of the departed and early recovery to the injured"
On this sad occasion, I wish to convey, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana and in my own name deepest condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to the government and people of Togo. |
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14.01.2010 $30,000 jackpot for each Black Stars player? The Black Stars have been promised a $30,000 prize each if they qualify for the next stage of the ongoing Nations Cup, reports say. |
CAF refuses Ghana request to stay in Cabinda Ghana have been refused permission to switch the venue of their last African Nations Cup Group B game from Luanda to Cabinda, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Ghana, who take on Ivory Coast in Cabinda on Friday, wanted to remain in the northern enclave for Tuesday's game against Burkina Faso.
"We asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to stay in Cabinda for this last game but our request has not been granted," a Ghana FA spokesman said.
The CAF decision means that if Ghana finish top of the group they will have to fly back to Cabinda for their quarter-final. However, they will remain in Luanda if they end up in second place.
Source: Reuters |
14.01.2010 Cameroon slumped to a surprising 1-0 defeat by neighbours Gabon in their opening African Nations Cup Group D game on Wednesday.
Striker Daniel Cousin netted the Panthers’ winner in the 17th minute when he coolly slotted home after being perfectly set up by Roguy Meye.
No team qualified for this year’s World Cup finals have won a game at the Nations Cup so far with Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria losing their opening matches and Ivory Coast being held to a draw. Cameroon will play Zambia and Gabon take on Tunisia in their next games on Sunday. Source: Reuters |
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| Togo's request to return to Africa Cup of Nations turned down • Confederation confirms Togo will not be allowed back
• Request from sports minister to return to Angola denied ..Flags flew at half-mast in the west African nation today as the country began three days of national mourning. The squad flew home yesterday in the wake of Friday's gun attack, which killed three people; the side's assistant coach, its press officer and the Angolan bus driver... Read more at The Guardian UK + Video (11.01.2010) |
| Togo goalkeeper to recover with bullet fragments left in his stomach • Kodjovi Obilale's condition has 'stabilised'
• Goalkeeper still sedated and needing a ventilator to breathe Read more at The Guardian UK (11.01.2010) |
| Togo footballers were attacked by mistake, Angolan rebels say Separatist leader says gunmen meant to shoot Angolan troops escorting team to Africa Cup of Nations A senior official of the dissident group that launched a fatal ambush on the Togo football team has expressed his "condolences", saying rebels attacked their bus by mistake. Read more at The Guardian UK (11.01.2010) |
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An assistant coach, press officer and driver were killed and two players were shot and injured in Friday's attack. Togo were reported to have pulled out of the tournament, although the issue has become clouded with conflicting reports emerging from Angola. Source: BBC-World News |
Togo's PM orders national soccer team to pull out of Africa Cup of Nations - Source:DW- Deutsche Welle Togo's prime minister said on Sunday the national soccer team must pull out of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola after their convoy was attacked by gunmen on Friday. Two squad members and a driver died in the ambush. |
| 10 Jan 2010: The Togo captain said his team will not take part in the Africa Cup of Nations after his government demanded the side return home |
Togo agrees to stay in Africa Cup According to the news Agent. Reuters; Togo's national soccer team has agreed to stay in the African Nations Cup competition, despite an attack on the team bus which killed three people, an Angolan government source said on Saturday.
Source: Reuters (09.01.2010)
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| Group Matches |
| 10-Jan-10 | Luanda |  | Angola | | vrs | | Mali |  | Group A | | 11-Jan-10 | Luanda |  | Malawi | | vrs | | Algeria |  | Group A | | 11-Jan-10 | Cabinda |  | Cote d' Ivoire | | vrs | | Burkina Faso |  | Group B | | 11-Jan-10 | Cabinda |  | Ghana | | vrs | | Togo |  | Group B | | 12-Jan-10 | Benguela |  | Egypt | | vrs | | Nigeria |  | Group C | | 12-Jan-10 | Benguela |  | Mozambique | | vrs | | Benin |  | Group C | | 13-Jan-10 | Lubango |  | Cameroon | | vrs | | Gabon |  | Group D | | 13-Jan-10 | Lubango |  | Zambia | | vrs | | Tunisia |  | Group D |
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Group Standings & Video Links |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Schedule: |
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| Official CAN 2010 website |
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