FOOTY FAIR

Liberia's Keeper Injured in Freak Glass Panel Accident

2015-09-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

Often times when trudging off the train in the morning in a grim, coffee deprived state I see people bumping into each other because they're too busy playing with their phones to see where they are actually going.

Liberian goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman, did a little worse than slam into the back of a sleepy commuter while playing with his phone this past weekend as he crashed through a glass panel at his team hotel.

Sherman was forced to sit out his country’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia on Saturday and his squad's team doctor says that he has a 50/50 chance of losing the sight in his right eye.

While Sherman was rushed into surgery, his teammates emerged with a 1-0 win courtesy of a 79 minute goal by former DC United forward Francis Doe.

In the meantime, while our thoughts are with Sherman and we hope that he makes a full recovery, this is a lesson to watch where the hell you're going rather than updating your status while walking down the hallway. You may go from "Feeling Blessed" to "Feeling Fucked" in an instant.

Messi Meets the President of Gabon and Dresses Like a Bum

2015-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Widely considered, outside of Madrid at least, to be the finest footballer on the planet Lionel Messi is as useless at picking out what to wear as he is brilliant at picking apart opposition defenses.

As if his comically bad shiny maroon suit he wore to a recent FIFA Awards night, one of those annual events where they give him a prize simply for being Messi, wasn't bad enough he's now outraged a nation with his dress sense.

While in Gabon, the Barcelona star went on a VIP tour of the capital city, Libreville, organised by former teammate Samuel Eto’o, who is a close friend and advisor of Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba.

The president also asked Messi to place the first stone for a new national stadium being built for the 2017 African Nations Cup.

For such a momentous occasion you figured that Messi would perhaps put on a suit, or even a nice pair of dress pants and a button up, but instead he opted for a pair of scummy looking shorts and a t-shirt. As if he was going to the beach or the zoo.

The Union du Peuple Gabonais (UPG) political party responded with the following statement:

“The messiah of football arrived in Gabon like he were going to a zoo: dirty, unshaven and his hands in his pockets, looking for peanuts to throw to them!

“When you’re called Lionel Messi and you’re a multi-billionaire, you don’t have the right to present yourself to officials of a republic, even a banana one, with your hands in the pockets of a ripped, tattered pair of shorts.

“Gabon isn’t a zoo. We don’t know what the Argentine came to Gabon for, but we at least have the right to denounce his negligence and his lack of respect for standards and principles.

“We are uneasy with Messi’s attitude and his attire. Only for these reasons, linked to respect for the host country, do we condemn the footballer’s indelicateness, to say the least!”

That Messi dirtbag was also accused by France Football magazine of being paid €3.5million for the visit, but the Argentine play maker strongly denies that.

5 Memorable AFCON Moments of Past Tournaments

2015-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

With 2015 AFCON tournament behind us perhaps it is a good time to reflect on some of the most memorable moments of this competition.

It is incredible history there have been some incredible games, results and performances, and if you are not an AFCON fan, perhaps you have missed some classic football moments that deserved your attention.

Here is what I consider the 5 most memorable AFCON moments of past tournaments.

Angola 4-4 Mali

In 2010, the opening match of the Africa Cup of nations set hosts Angola against Mali. The “Palancas Negras” were coached by Manuel Jose, and the Portuguese coach was able to take the host country to halftime with a 4-0 lead.

The victory seemed like a sure thing for the hosts but in the second half of the game Mali mounted an historic comeback. The turnaround in the scoreline was done in the final twelve minutes of the game, and Mali was able to rescue a tie in what is one of the most incredible comebacks in AFCON history.

Cameroon Wins Back to Back

All Cameroon fans will remember the 2000 and 2002 tournaments in which their country won the tournament. Samuel Eto’o was in his prime and with the help of Rigobert Song, Cameroon wasn’t able to be stopped and found no equal in what was two tournaments complete dominated by the Indomitable Lions.

Egypt Makes History

Not many sides have won the AFCON and only one country has won the tournament three times in a row, Egypt.

We will perhaps never see another country dominate this tournament the way Egypt did. Players like Mohamed Aboutrika, Wael Gomaa, Essam El Hadary and Ahmed Hassan will forever be a part of Egyptian folklore for what they did in representation of their country at AFCON.

Their final tournament victory was in 2010, but there has always been some disappointment with Egyptian fans, that such an incredible generation of players failed to qualify for the World Cup during that stretch.

Zambian Heroes

20 years after a plane accident that killed the entire Zambian team off the coast of Libreville, Herve Renard led Zambia to their first tournament victory in that same city.

As the tournament went on and Zambia continue to advance, the fairytale seemed to write itself, and it all came to a conclusion during the penalty shoot-outs, when Stoppila Sunzu chanted an elegiac tune as he scored the winning penalty.

Ethiopia Returns to AFCON

It took almost 30 years for Ethiopia to once again play at AFCON, the year was 2013.

For a footballing nation like Ethiopia, being 30 years without participating in Africa’s biggest football tournament was a punishment of epic proportions. Winners of AFCON in 1961, they had never regained the glory of the past, and in 2013 their luck didn’t change. They had to settle with being able to attend the party since it wasn’t theirs to have.

5 African Players That Have Won the UEFA Champions League

2015-01-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

As the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off this past weekend in Equatorial Guinea, many club sides around the world gritted their teeth and hoped that their players taking part in tournament would come back healthy.

Although it is certainly an inconvenience to some clubs, particularly in Europe, that the biannual tournament falls in the middle of club season, it's a wonderful competition that pits the best African players against each other. It also provides a showcase for lessor known players that are hoping to capture the eye of one of Europe's big clubs.

Several players that have taken part in this tournament have also good on to great success in Europe and have helped their clubs to win what is still arguably the greatest prize in club, the UEFA Champions League. The following are five of the best African players who played for sides who won European Football's greatest prize.

Didier Drogba

One of the greatest African footballers ever, the Ivory Coast superstar Didier Drogba was the hero in the 2012 Champions League final as he scored a late equalizer to cancel Thomas Müller’s opener and send the game into extra time and eventually penalties. During the penalty shootout, Drogba scored the final spot kick to secure 4-3 win for the Blues. His countryman Salomon Kalou was also in the starting lineup in that 2012 final, alongside Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel.

Samuel Kuffour

Despite playing a terrific match for Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final and keeping Manchester United's potent attack of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke off the scoresheet, the former Ghanaian star is largely remembered from that final for letting Ole Gunnar Solskjær score the winner deep into stoppage time. The pain of that last minute defeat would be washed away two seasons later for Kuffour and Bayern though, as they surged to victory in the 2001 final with a win over Valencia.

Yaya Toure

On his day, Manchester City's Yaya Toure can be the most dominant player in the Premier League, but it with injuries affecting his former club Barcelona's backline heading into the 2009 Champions League Final against Manchester United, Toure was asked to fill the role of a centre back. The Ivorian filled the role superbly, as his side went on to a comfortable 2-0 victory in Rome.

Abedi Pele

Considered to be one of Ghana's finest ever players, Abedi Pele starred for the controversial Marseilles side of the late 1980's and early 1990's that upset AC Milan in the 1993 Champions League Final. Pele, the three time African Footballer of the Year, provided the cross to Basil Boli for the lone goal against the favoured Italian side.

Samuel Eto'o

The record four time African Footballer of the Year, and one of the finest strikers that has taken part in the Champions League over the past decade. Samuel Eto'o levelled the scores in the 2006 final against Arsenal for his former club Barcelona, in a match that the Catalan giants would go on to win 2-1. The Cameroonian legend, again opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 2009 final, which they would go on to win 2-0 against Manchester United. He was later a key player for Jose Mourinho's Inter side that downed Bayern Munich 2-0 in the 2010 final.

Top 5 Young Players to Watch at AFCON 2015

2015-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Africa Cup of Nations days away, I decided to take a look at what I consider the top 5 young players that everyone should be keeping their eyes on as we enter the tournament.

Some of these players are already established some are young guns looking at making an impact and putting their names in the minds of football fans around the world. Regardless of how well known they are, all of these players are sure to have a very solid tournament as they enter in 2015.

Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)

Only 19 years old and already a veteran with his country, being one of the most experienced players on the roster, Bertrand been playing international football since the age of 16. Currently on loan with Vitesse, the Chelsea player is looking at this tournament as a way to cement his status as one of the upcoming young African talents.

He understands that if he is to gain a spot with Chelsea, a good performance at the AFCON 2015 will go a long way. Mourinho will be watching and so will I.

Andre Biyogo Poko (Gabon)

He may be small in stature but he makes up for that with boundless energy. He is your typical rabid dog midfielder that doesn’t give opponents time to think when they are around him.

For a player of thin build and small stature he compensates on the field with an incredible willingness to win and to compete. His speed, endurance and cardio are hard to match, making him a fantastic midfield player that provides his team with an incredible capacity to recuperate the ball when his team is defending. He is the lungs of his national side.

Roger Assale (Ivory Coast)

Ivory Coast is looking at the 21 year old striker Roger Assale to be their main goal scorer during this tournament.

He currently plays for Sewe Sport and had a great performance for his club during the CAF Confederations Cup. His speed and ability to find creative ways to finish give Herve Renard a valid alternative to Wilfried Bony and Lacine Traore.

He is not expected to start, but coming off the bench if he proves to be the solution, it wouldn’t surprise me if he manages to gain his way to the starting eleven as the tournament progresses.

Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria)

It has only been a year since Nabil Bentaleb made his debut for Tottenham Hotspur. Since then he has made his debut for Algeria and played three matches in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

His quality of passing in the midfield makes him a regular with club and soon with country. That creativity, added to his natural ability to get the ball to the right man, make him a very dangerous player. He will be a critical part of how Algeria will do, and Spurs fans are not looking forward to having to miss him during his time at the tournament.

Clinton N’Jie (Cameroon)

He is the latest African talent to come out of the now famous Lyon academy. N’Jie has formed an incredible partnership with Vincent Aboubakar, leaving Eto’o departure a thing of the past.

N’Jie creates space and opportunities with his speed and short dribbles, which provides Aboubakar with plenty of chances to finish in front of the net. He is not your typical striker, since he doesn’t score plenty of goals, but what he creates for others more than makes up for it.

Throwback Thursday - Togo National Team Bus Shooting

2015-01-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

On this very day in 2010 the Togolese National team bus came under machine-gun fire while driving through Angola where they were to play in the African Cup of Nations.

An ordeal that lasted approximately half an hour, the shooting took place as the two buses (one with players and staff and the other with the team's luggage) have just crossed a border between the Republic of Congo and Angolan province of Cabinda (which is an exclave Angolan territory surrounded entirely by Rep. of Congo land).

Between the two buses which carried among others Aston Villa defender Moustapha Salifou and then Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor 3 deaths and 9 injuries were recorded. The three dead were Angolan bus driver Mário Adjoua, sports commentator Stanislas Ocloo and Togo national team assistant coach Améleté Abalo.

As a result of the attack, the Togolese national team understandably withdrew itself from the African tournament and in a controversial move were suspended by the CAF from football operations. After an appeal however, the team was reinstated later that year.

The attack was said to have been planned out by Cabinda province separatists and the targeted casualties were supposed to be the Angolan security service personnel escorting the Togolese buses.

5 years on and with the African Cup of Nations coming up in less than 10 days, we remember those who were affected by this horrible event.

5 Must Watch Tournaments in 2015

2015-01-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Happy 2015 everyone. As football fans, the new year is an exciting one when it comes to major tournaments around the world. Here are the 5 competitions that should make us look forward to the year ahead even more than we would usually.

2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Host(s): USA & Canada
Dates: 7-26 July
Defending Champions: USA

A tournament to crown the champions of the Caribbean, North and Central America, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is a competition that runs every two years. With the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica doing well in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this tournament promises to be one of, if not the most entertaining edition thus far. The tournament will be hosted in 12 US cities, with Canada's Toronto accommodating 2 group matches. The host cities of the knockout stage will be announced in early 2015.

2015 African Cup of Nations

Host(s): Equatorial Guinea (Originally Morocco)
Dates: 17 January - 8 February
Defending Champions: Nigeria

The African Cup of Nations is a colorful exciting tournament that crowns the champions of the African continent. After speculations of whether the tournament will be played at all amid fears of the Ebola virus spread. Originally awarded to host nation Morocco, the tournament hosts were changed to Equatorial Guinea as the initial host nation did not want to take the risk of the virus' spread within its borders. The matches will be hosted in 4 cities, with the final to be played at the Estadio de Bata. With all time title leader Egypt unable to qualify for this year's tournament, this year will be a great opportunity for the likes of Ghana and Cameroon to catch up, sitting 3 titles behind the North African nation.

2015 AFC Asian Cup

Host(s): Australia
Dates: 9-31 January
Defending Champions: Japan

The most successful nation in this tournament's history and defending champions Japan will look to "rain" on host nation Australia's parade as they look to win their 5th AFC Asian Cup. For the Socceroos this will be a very special occasions as this will be their first time hosting the tournament since leaving the Oceania conference to join the AFC. This edition of the tournament will be spread across 5 cities in the south-east of the country, with the final match to be played at the 80,000+ capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney.

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Host(s): Canada
Dates: 6 June - 5 July
Defending Champions: Japan

The Women's World Cup has come a long way since its first edition in 1991. Women's football as a whole has advanced to very high standards and the World Cup is a great tournament to introduce new fans to the female edition of the sport. Hosted in 6 cities all across Canada, the tournament's final match will be played at BC Place in Vancouver. Germany and USA who had won this tournament on two previous occasions will be looking to become the first nation to capture the Women's World Cup for a third time, while defending champions Japan will look to repeat their efforts of 2011 when they won their first title.

2015 Copa América

Host(s): Chile
Dates: 11 June - 4 July
Defending Champions: Uruguay

The oldest international continental competition in the world of football is set to take place in Chile this summer as the footballing nations of South America and two invited countries (Mexico & Jamaica) are set to take on one another to be crowned the champions of South America. Defending champions and all-time title leaders Uruguay are always a threat when it comes to the Copa América, but in recent years many nations on the continent showed that they are capable to compete at the high level. Brazil and Argentina are of course the "big draw", but host nation Chile who performed very respectably during last summer's World Cup in Brazil, along with Colombia who also did well will both look to surprise the big teams. Unlike all of the aforementioned countries however, the hosts Chile had never captured the South American title in previous years and will surely look to do so for the first time while having a great roster and playing on home soil. The tournament will be hosted in 9 stadiums over 8 cities across Chile. The final match will be played at the National Staium of Chile in Santiago.