Football Dispatch

Tuesday Football
22 January 2008
by Jerrad Peters

African Nations Cup
Day Two of the African Nations Cup had a bit of everything. In essence, it was Africa in a nutshell. Morocco trounced Namibia in an eerily empty Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra; Nigeria’s colorful supporting contingent included a troupe of trumpeters; and Mali’s opening fixture against Benin was delayed a quarter-hour after a power failure engulfed Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium in darkness.

The powering of the floodlights did little to brighten the product on the pitch, however. Mali took the three points by virtue of a Frederic Kanoute penalty. But if Les Aigles are to advance out of the tournament’s group of death, they will have to come up with a much better performance against Nigeria on Saturday.

Kanoute’s Sevilla teammate Seydou Keita produced the contest’s initial scoring opportunity in the 12th-minute, unleashing a rather speculative effort from 20-yards. The opening period was mostly uneventful thereafter; and Mali manager Jean-Francois Jadar must have been altogether frustrated with his squad’s complete lack of creativity.

Nevertheless, it was Benin which appeared the more endeavoring of the sides after the interval. Mahamadou Sidebe was called into action when a Benin corner produced a potentially dangerous header from Anichet Adjamossi. Oumar Tchomogo was next to miss for The Squirrels – heading wide of the goal.

With the match now experiencing a bit of flow, Mali finally went in front. Mahamadou Diarra orchestrated a downfield move which left Dramane Traore with a clear opportunity. However, the Lokomotiv Moscow forward was fouled inside the box by Benin defender Alain Gaspoz; and Kanoute converted the subsequent penalty.

Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire also produced a 1-0 result in Sekondi. It could not have been more different than the ninety minutes of tedium which Mali and Benin produced, however. With two of the competition’s most talented, attacking squads going head-to-head, chances were plenty.

Newcastle forward Obafemi Martins was on the receiving end of superb provision throughout. Portsmouth combo John Utaka and Kanu were particularly useful. Kanu, from just behind Martins and Yakubu, successfully linked play and created opportunities throughout.

Still, The Super Eagles could not find the back of the net. The Cote d’Ivoire midfield was all but impenetrable. Manager Gerard Gili, taking a page from Arsene Wenger’s play-book, utilized Emmanuel Eboue on the right side of an effective quartet. Barcelona’s Yaya Toure and Tottenham’s Didier Zokora menaced the Nigerian attackers while goalkeeper Boubacar Barry was outstanding.

Shortly after the hour-mark, the calm, pace-controlling disposition of Les Elephants paid off. Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, playing just behind Didier Drogba and Aruna Dindande, took possession of the ball to the left of the box, swerved between three defenders, and deposited the game’s only goal behind Austin Ejide.

Cote d’Ivoire, joint-leaders with Mali atop the group, will face Benin on Friday. The Super Eagles of Nigeria, meanwhile, will battle the Eagles of Mali.

Namibia’s Brave Warriors looked anything but, Monday, in losing 5-1 to Morocco. Soufiane Alloudi established himself as an early frontrunner for the Golden Boot with a hat-trick inside the opening half-hour; and Youssef Safri imposed himself as the marshal of the midfield throughout the proceedings.

Alloudi’s first goal came after just two minute of play. Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh, after hitting the post, played the rebound straight to his accomplice. The finish was elementary.

The Al Ain striker’s second goal, coming just three minutes later, was something more of an eye-opener. The 24-year-old lifted the ball over Namibia’s Michael Pienaar with a delightful chip before putting Lions de l’atlas two goals ahead.

Brian Brendell brought Namibia back into things in the 23rd-minute. Hamburg midfielder Collin Benjamin dissected the Morocco defense with a superb pass – playing Brendell into clear for a 20-yard effort. The 21-year-old FC Civics midfielder was spot-on with the shot and cut the gap to a single goal.

Nevertheless, the Moroccans continued to come in waves. Tarik Sektioui, the Porto winger, displayed his superb crossing abilities in the 28th-minute when his arching pass met Alloudi’s head for the hat-trick. Sektioui, himself, got on the score-sheet just 12-minutes later when Namibia defender Jamunavandu Ngatjizeko fouled Michael Chretien in the area. The 30-year-old approached the spot and calmly slotted past Abisai Shiningayamwe.

Ahead by three at the break, Morocco manager Henri Michel made a trio of changes before the 70th-minute. One of the introductions, Monsef Zerka, headed a fifth goal past Shiningayamwe in the 74th-minute.

Morocco will next meet Guinea on Thursday. Namibia, on the other hand, will face hosts Ghana in a must-win affair.