African Cup of Nations 2013

Rosicky wrote:Hardly a good thing for the ACN. Imagine if Luxemberg got to the 1/4's of the Euros it would be a joke (they have an identical pop to Cape Verde). Just shows how weak the ACN is.

Actually it shows how ignorant you are yet again. 19 of the 23 in that squad play in Portugal. It is one of the most Europe-based teams in the competition. Typical you did not know that. Like I said what you know about the ACN and Africa and African football could be written on a postage stamp in 96 point font size. The gap has been closing for years. There are no more minnows here. This competition is demonstrating that. Typically ignorant European prefers to see Africa's cup as half empty rather than half full. These teams have developed, not the others getting worse. That team beat Cameroon to get here. They drew with South Africa and Morocco and beat Angola. Your opinions on African football are not worth wasting time reading. You know less than nothing on the subject and that is being kind.

EMP wrote:I notice that nobody has bothered to comment on let alone congratulate the Cape Verde Islands on reaching the knock-out stage in their first appearance in the African Cup of Nations finals, or even the Bafana Bafana on a spirited performance or two.

I've seen Cape Verde, they look like one of the better teams. There's no getting away from the fact that some of these teams are awful though.

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:I notice that nobody has bothered to comment on let alone congratulate the Cape Verde Islands on reaching the knock-out stage in their first appearance in the African Cup of Nations finals, or even the Bafana Bafana on a spirited performance or two.

I've seen Cape Verde, they look like one of the better teams. There's no getting away from the fact that some of these teams are awful though.

Which teams do you consider awful? Angola were certainly far more ordinary than they should have been, South Africa have improved, Morocco were not great, but not awful. Burkina is improving. Ethiopia had an awful off-day, but let's see against Nigeria. Nigeria have had some poor luck with refereeing. Zambia still has talent, but is slow starting. Ivory Coast is Ivory Coast and Ghana is Ghana. DR Congo is improving after serious downturn in fortunes. Niger is getting better as well. Mali is about to enter transition period as old guard retire. Algeria has had bad refereeing decisions that affected them (three penalties denied would hurt anyone in two matches. Not seen enough of Tunisia and Togo have been profligate, but are still in with chance. It is not bad competition, but the refereeing has been very ordinary in some cases to put it mildly. the standard is improving and the gap is closing.

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:I notice that nobody has bothered to comment on let alone congratulate the Cape Verde Islands on reaching the knock-out stage in their first appearance in the African Cup of Nations finals, or even the Bafana Bafana on a spirited performance or two.

I've seen Cape Verde, they look like one of the better teams. There's no getting away from the fact that some of these teams are awful though.

Which teams do you consider awful? Angola were certainly far more ordinary than they should have been, South Africa have improved, Morocco were not great, but not awful. Burkina is improving. Ethiopia had an awful off-day, but let's see against Nigeria. Nigeria have had some poor luck with refereeing. Zambia still has talent, but is slow starting. Ivory Coast is Ivory Coast and Ghana is Ghana. DR Congo is improving after serious downturn in fortunes. Niger is getting better as well. Mali is about to enter transition period as old guard retire. Algeria has had bad refereeing decisions that affected them (three penalties denied would hurt anyone in two matches. Not seen enough of Tunisia and Togo have been profligate, but are still in with chance. It is not bad competition, but the refereeing has been very ordinary in some cases to put it mildly. the standard is improving and the gap is closing.

I saw Morocco draw to Cape Verde, they were abysmal. I saw Mali vs Niger and they looked like 2 really poor teams. South Africa have looked average, Nigeria vs Burkina Faso was a poor game. Maybe teams are improving, I wouldn't know, but you don't need to be an expert on African football to see teams like Morocco struggling to string 2 passes together.

Togo looked alright, i'm not saying they've all been shit.

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:I notice that nobody has bothered to comment on let alone congratulate the Cape Verde Islands on reaching the knock-out stage in their first appearance in the African Cup of Nations finals, or even the Bafana Bafana on a spirited performance or two.

I've seen Cape Verde, they look like one of the better teams. There's no getting away from the fact that some of these teams are awful though.

Which teams do you consider awful? Angola were certainly far more ordinary than they should have been, South Africa have improved, Morocco were not great, but not awful. Burkina is improving. Ethiopia had an awful off-day, but let's see against Nigeria. Nigeria have had some poor luck with refereeing. Zambia still has talent, but is slow starting. Ivory Coast is Ivory Coast and Ghana is Ghana. DR Congo is improving after serious downturn in fortunes. Niger is getting better as well. Mali is about to enter transition period as old guard retire. Algeria has had bad refereeing decisions that affected them (three penalties denied would hurt anyone in two matches. Not seen enough of Tunisia and Togo have been profligate, but are still in with chance. It is not bad competition, but the refereeing has been very ordinary in some cases to put it mildly. the standard is improving and the gap is closing.

I saw Morocco draw to Cape Verde, they were abysmal. I saw Mali vs Niger and they looked like 2 really poor teams. South Africa have looked average, Nigeria vs Burkina Faso was a poor game. Maybe teams are improving, I wouldn't know, but you don't need to be an expert on African football to see teams like Morocco struggling to string 2 passes together.

Ok but Morocco is a bit in transition too. I think they are next hosts, so they wanted to give some players some experience. Morocco were concentrating more on 2015 even when here and relied on Belhanda. The coach's style and injury to Belhanda didn't help either. There wasn't an efficient Plan B until forced into it by his suspension and the need to win. It wan't bad yesterday. Mali is at end of cycle of decent generation. A year ago they came third. Their captain Cedric Kante isn't here and the team is over-reliant of Seydou Keita - a very good player and person too. South Africa has got better and may improve further. They were decent yesterday. Niger is gaining experience. They were walloped a year ago. They scored a goal and that was it. This year they have got their first point and have power to add. I thought they played well against DR Congo, who didn't do badly against Ghana. Did you see yesterday's match?

Kimbo wrote:Togo looked alright, i'm not saying they've all been shit.

I know you're not.

I'm in Nelspruit now. Make or break for Zambia. The Chipolopolo must win to remain in the competition. Same goes for Nigeria. Burkina Faso will make it if they avoid defeat. Ethiopia need help from the Burkinabe. Saw Mali qualify to play the Bafana Bafana yesterday. Claude le Roy was pensive on his future. Would not comment on whether he is stying to build DR Congo.

The Ethiopian goalkeeper has somehow managed to get sent off in 2 of the 3 group games played in this tournament (and was obviously suspended for the other one). What a fine contribution he has made!

edit: Actually, it's a different one. The commentator said he's been sent off twice, but I think today was one of their reserve keepers. Either way, they've managed to have two keepers sent off in three games.

Moses has scored two late penalties.

Burkina Faso held Zambia 0-0. Chipolopolo are out and Burkina Faso top the group.

I'm going to Togo v Tunisia as at least there's something at stake in that one. By the way I knew about Drogba signing before it was announced. Galatasaray supporting journalist knew!

Togo take early lead through Serge Gapke. Execellent disguised pass by Adebayor to set him up.

Referee in the Togo game must have been bought. Togo are getting screwed over here, although the penalty has been missed!

Tunisia bought this ref at half time I reckon.

Sheffield gunner wrote:Referee in the Togo game must have been bought. Togo are getting screwed over here, although the penalty has been missed!

It's an absolute disgrace. Missed three penalties that should have been given and gives one that was socking dive. He should be sent home. Luckily for Daniel Bennett, he's South African so won't have far to go. This is robbery!

Sheffield gunner wrote:Referee in the Togo game must have been bought. Togo are getting screwed over here, although the penalty has been missed!

We said that at almost exactly the same time!!!

Togo go through and the crowd goes wild

zzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz

Chelsea 2 up and have blown it.

Reading score equaliser in injury time

Disco Benny wrote:Chelsea 2 up and have blown it.

Reading score equaliser in injury time

so Rafa can add the African Cup of Nations to the list of nailed on trophies he's blown for Chelsea?

Africans care about Chelsea. It's been scientifically proven under laboratory conditions

Disco Benny wrote:Africans care about Chelsea. It's been scientifically proven under laboratory conditions

This is you being a hipster gain, rebelling against the mainstream by posting premier league updates in the African cup of nations thread. I bet you think Paloma Faith is cool.

Disco Benny wrote:Africans care about Chelsea. It's been scientifically proven under laboratory conditions

But was it peer-reviewed with internationally accredited methodology and conducted by accredited scientists? Have the results been published in prestigious scientific journals? Without such verification I'm afraid the findings are totally unacceptable junk science.

Aww Cape Verde lost

Kimbo wrote:Aww Cape Verde lost

South Africa too. Let's see how that affects attendances.

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Aww Cape Verde lost

South Africa too. Let's see how that affects attendances.

Maybe the Vuvuzela wankers will fuck off?

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Aww Cape Verde lost

South Africa too. Let's see how that affects attendances.

Maybe the Vuvuzela wankers will fuck off?

Live and let live Kimbo. It is part of their football culture. Doesn't seem to affect the players.

Nobody there. You'd get a bigger crowd if this was held in the UK.

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Aww Cape Verde lost

South Africa too. Let's see how that affects attendances.

Maybe the Vuvuzela wankers will fuck off?

Live and let live Kimbo. It is part of their football culture. Doesn't seem to affect the players.

Live and let them ruin the competition like they did the world cup.

And chinston is right, there's alot of empty seats out there, people are clearly put off by these Vuvuselas. Imagine a world cup in Scotchland where everyone brings a fucking bagpipe.

Rosicky wrote:Nobody there. You'd get a bigger crowd if this was held in the UK.

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:

EMP wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Aww Cape Verde lost

South Africa too. Let's see how that affects attendances.

Maybe the Vuvuzela wankers will fuck off?

Live and let live Kimbo. It is part of their football culture. Doesn't seem to affect the players.

Live and let them ruin the competition like they did the world cup.

And chinston is right, there's alot of empty seats out there, people are clearly put off by these Vuvuselas. Imagine a world cup in Scotchland where everyone brings a fucking bagpipe.

You're wrong Kimbo. It is the local people that bring them and its accepted and appreciated here. There are reasons for empty seats. Nelspruit and Rustenburg stadius are in the middle of nowhere and the traffic control is simply ludicrous to put it mildly!