Africa Football Discussion Thread || Current discussion: African teams at Qatar.

[snipie]

What's going on with this tournament? Of the first 12 matches, 9 ended with a score of 1-0 and two more with a score of 0-0.
I don't bet in the group stage and I'm very happy about it - probably now I would be disappointed, because I didn't expect such a low performance and weak play of the favorites 

Teams at this stage aren't doing their best imo, still not concentrated in the games, the weather might affected some nations more than the others, referees in some games are killing the fluidity of the matches with recurrent stops for silly stuff..
So far only Cameroon games ended with many goals, 3 in the first one and 5 in today's one against Ethiopia (4-1) so they will progress to the next stage.

[KTChampions]

What's going on with this tournament? Of the first 12 matches, 9 ended with a score of 1-0 and two more with a score of 0-0.
I don't bet in the group stage and I'm very happy about it - probably now I would be disappointed, because I didn't expect such a low performance and weak play of the favorites 

It looks like this is still going on while Cameroon one of the strong favorites is not able to beat Ethiopia so far and is showing not the best of performances during the first half of the game.I am strongly convinced though that Cameroon should win this during the second half,any other result would be considered the biggest surprise of the this tournament yet.

As a result, they played a good match and won with a score of 4-1. I hope the rest of the teams will also forget how they played in the first matches and start showing a productive game. The irony is that after watching several painful African Cup games I missed this one (today there are quite interesting games in Europe) 

[Rruchi man]

Cameroon so far has found it's way up people's favorite to win this year's African cup of nations, but let's not forget that even though they seem to be wining win high number of goals they haven't really been tested...

Regardless of how you see it, the indomitable lions are living up to expectations and are setting the pace here at the competition, being the first team to move into the next round of the competition and getting six points with six goals in  just two games deserves some applause. Ekambi and Aboubakar had a wonderful display. I know the tournament is still young, but this Cameroonian team versus the Nigerian team should offer an impressive 90minutes of football.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

What's going on with this tournament? Of the first 12 matches, 9 ended with a score of 1-0 and two more with a score of 0-0.
I don't bet in the group stage and I'm very happy about it - probably now I would be disappointed, because I didn't expect such a low performance and weak play of the favorites 

This is the AFCON, the most physical tournament out there. All defenders are currently doing their job perfectly including the keepers. If you watch the matches, you can see how both teams are struggling to score. It's not like both team are just playing boring football. They both put in their best but because the tournament is just beginning it's very uneasy to score. I always knew as the tournament progress more goals opportunity will be created and it just happened in the first game of week 2.

Unlike what's currently been portray in this thread of the tournament been boring, it's getting quite interesting, I mean are you guys actually watching the match? The Nigeria vs Egypt has been the most interesting until obviously the last game that just got payed with 5 goal. The Tunisia vs Mali game was also an entertaining one because of the controversy. That referee isn't new to scandal, I'm not surprised it just have to be him.

[Joca97]

The shocking thing about this tournament is that Cape Verde vs Burkino Faso Under 2.5 goals was 1.30 odd. And everyone who bets on goals knows this is really low. Even the sportsbooks now know that there will be a low number of goals. Cameroon match was the biggest number of goals yet

[onecall123]

Cameroon so far has found it's way up people's favorite to win this year's African cup of nations, but let's not forget that even though they seem to be wining win high number of goals they haven't really been tested, also I would have to be bias here I am going to put Nigeria ahead of any team on my favorite to lift the cup also winning Egypt in the first match wasn't easy, so let's see how it plays out.

Not necessarily, but for the moment I would like them to progress. After a convincing win over Ethiopia, Cameroon clinches their spot in the round of 16. But Ethiopia just played a relaxed game, with too much ball control and no intensity. Some pundits and other experts have said that Cameroon is not a favorite. They're one of the best teams in this AFCON, and I believe Cameroon can achieve more in this tournament. As far as winning the title is concerned, we'll see how they do in knockout stages. Nigeria, Algeria are sure to be top contenders.

[KTChampions]

What's going on with this tournament? Of the first 12 matches, 9 ended with a score of 1-0 and two more with a score of 0-0.
I don't bet in the group stage and I'm very happy about it - probably now I would be disappointed, because I didn't expect such a low performance and weak play of the favorites 

This is the AFCON, the most physical tournament out there. All defenders are currently doing their job perfectly including the keepers. If you watch the matches, you can see how both teams are struggling to score. It's not like both team are just playing boring football. They both put in their best but because the tournament is just beginning it's very uneasy to score. I always knew as the tournament progress more goals opportunity will be created and it just happened in the first game of week 2.

Unlike what's currently been portray in this thread of the tournament been boring, it's getting quite interesting, I mean are you guys actually watching the match? The Nigeria vs Egypt has been the most interesting until obviously the last game that just got payed with 5 goal. The Tunisia vs Mali game was also an entertaining one because of the controversy. That referee isn't new to scandal, I'm not surprised it just have to be him.

It's subjective. I'm used to the fact that modern most progressive football is always a lot of goals, no matter how good the defense is. When I see minimal performance, I mentally go back to the 90s when I was a teenager and went to the matches of the local team, and watched them suffer in an attempt to score a goal. Or Serie A of those times when the team played for a 0-0 result, and going forward (if) completely closed in defense and waited for the end of the match. These games were tense but boring.
As for the incident with the referee who does not know how to use the clock, when such things happen at a high level, it undermines the image of the entire tournament.

[DU18]

The controversial coach who officiated the match between Tunisia vs Mali is said to be currently in hospital suffering from severe dehydration due to sunburn, I think now I know why the referee blew the whistle the game ended in the 85th minute and he blew the long whistle again 17 seconds before normal time ended causing a commotion from the players, it looks like the referee was so thirsty that he had to blow the long whistle🤣

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1481279931690766342?t=Fxt1Q5ITynLawzZJYmxdmg&s=19

[Rruchi man]

The controversial coach who officiated the match between Tunisia vs Mali is said to be currently in hospital suffering from severe dehydration due to sunburn, I think now I know why the referee blew the whistle the game ended in the 85th minute and he blew the long whistle again 17 seconds before normal time ended causing a commotion from the players, it looks like the referee was so thirsty that he had to blow the long whistle🤣

I didn't watch this match, but i've been laughing every since i saw the highlight . All i can think of is if really there is a football rule that we don't all know that permits or allows a referee to end the match before the regular 90minutes of play or the referee did it to save his life, lol. If there's no rule like that, this may be the end of his career as a professional referee. If you were dehydrated or have health challenges, why not ask for water or signal the other officials that you can't continue?

[Coyster]

Who else watched the Zimbabwe vs Malawi game, it was a pretty entertaining encounter to say the least, the Malawians were pretty decent on the ball, Mhago was the star man for the Malawians today and he got himself two goals for his troubles, after Zimbabwe scored, they somewhat took their foot off the gas, and that allowed Malawi to not just get back into the game, but also complete the turn around by going on the win the game, personally I was impressed by what I saw, and I'd love to see Malawi go far in the tournament as I'd like to also see more of Mhango.

[snipie]

The controversial coach who officiated the match between Tunisia vs Mali is said to be currently in hospital suffering from severe dehydration due to sunburn, I think now I know why the referee blew the whistle the game ended in the 85th minute and he blew the long whistle again 17 seconds before normal time ended causing a commotion from the players, it looks like the referee was so thirsty that he had to blow the long whistle🤣

I didn't watch this match, but i've been laughing every since i saw the highlight . All i can think of is if really there is a football rule that we don't all know that permits or allows a referee to end the match before the regular 90minutes of play or the referee did it to save his life, lol. If there's no rule like that, this may be the end of his career as a professional referee. If you were dehydrated or have health challenges, why not ask for water or signal the other officials that you can't continue?

There isn't any rule like that of course and the match has to be played in 90 minutes at least. He can stop it at 90 minutes + 01 second even if the additional time has to be +10 minutes but never before the original time.
Of course everything can happen in 5th world countries. The excuse of being dehydrated or sunburn or whatever excuse is simply a cover to hide his shameful management of one of the worst game of the decade but also to avoid being sanctioned or even barred for his repetitive infringement. And yes he has a history of corruption.
Anyway, CAF take their decision and they will not repeat the match and the final result will remain the same. I would be surprised if they repeated the game or asked both teams to repeat it.
BTW, Morocco is the second team to pass this stage.

[KTChampions]

There isn't any rule like that of course and the match has to be played in 90 minutes at least. He can stop it at 90 minutes + 01 second even if the additional time has to be +10 minutes but never before the original time.
Of course everything can happen in 5th world countries. The excuse of being dehydrated or sunburn or whatever excuse is simply a cover to hide his shameful management of one of the worst game of the decade but also to avoid being sanctioned or even barred for his repetitive infringement. And yes he has a history of corruption.
Anyway, CAF take their decision and they will not repeat the match and the final result will remain the same. I would be surprised if they repeated the game or asked both teams to repeat it.
BTW, Morocco is the second team to pass this stage.

It is clear that the result of the match will not be changed, it is an old rule that the mistake of the referee is part of the game. But still, I do not understand why his assistants did not tell him during the game that he was finishing it too early.
Senegal today could not beat Guinea, although it was a clear favorite. However, judging by the statistics, it was an equal game with a minimum number of shots on target.

[Oshosondy]

Cameroon so far has found it's way up people's favorite to win this year's African cup of nations, but let's not forget that even though they seem to be wining win high number of goals they haven't really been tested, also I would have to be bias here I am going to put Nigeria ahead of any team on my favorite to lift the cup also winning Egypt in the first match wasn't easy, so let's see how it plays out.

But only Nigeria and Algeria are having same highest votes on this forum. I understood you, it is like it is about what you have read on news or heard from people around you. But nice also you go for Nigeria, I believe you have also voted for Nigeria. I too voted for Nigeria but that does not mean Nigeria will be the winner but at least it is fun.

But still, I do not understand why his assistants did not tell him during the game that he was finishing it too early.

I post about it here

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5200931.msg58972932#msg58972932

The coach could have been notified of the gun shot that rock the city which the match was played. This could create panic. I think it is intentional.

[DU18]

The controversial coach who officiated the match between Tunisia vs Mali is said to be currently in hospital suffering from severe dehydration due to sunburn, I think now I know why the referee blew the whistle the game ended in the 85th minute and he blew the long whistle again 17 seconds before normal time ended causing a commotion from the players, it looks like the referee was so thirsty that he had to blow the long whistle🤣

I didn't watch this match, but i've been laughing every since i saw the highlight . All i can think of is if really there is a football rule that we don't all know that permits or allows a referee to end the match before the regular 90minutes of play or the referee did it to save his life, lol. If there's no rule like that, this may be the end of his career as a professional referee. If you were dehydrated or have health challenges, why not ask for water or signal the other officials that you can't continue?

The CAF actually needs to review every referee and linesman who will officiate the match, because frankly this is what makes football bad and full of controversy on the pitch and as you said, the referee ought to be able to signal to drink water or if indeed he can't take it anymore In the match, of course he could ask to be replaced by another referee at that time and as a senior referee of course he knew that.
But I don't know maybe it was the effect of dehydration and the hot weather made him lose concentration in the match.

[BIT-BENDER]

It was a boring day today at the African of nations, Senegal that has great players do well in Europe only played out a draw against Guinea, very disappointing Malawi against Zimbabwe was atleast okay with three goals score in the entire match, another suprise to me was between Ghana against Gabon which ended one goal for each team, well now I think it may just be between Cameroon and Nigeria for the title although it's still early.

[Juggy777]

The controversial coach who officiated the match between Tunisia vs Mali is said to be currently in hospital suffering from severe dehydration due to sunburn, I think now I know why the referee blew the whistle the game ended in the 85th minute and he blew the long whistle again 17 seconds before normal time ended causing a commotion from the players, it looks like the referee was so thirsty that he had to blow the long whistle🤣

I didn't watch this match, but i've been laughing every since i saw the highlight . All i can think of is if really there is a football rule that we don't all know that permits or allows a referee to end the match before the regular 90minutes of play or the referee did it to save his life, lol. If there's no rule like that, this may be the end of his career as a professional referee. If you were dehydrated or have health challenges, why not ask for water or signal the other officials that you can't continue?

The CAF actually needs to review every referee and linesman who will officiate the match, because frankly this is what makes football bad and full of controversy on the pitch and as you said, the referee ought to be able to signal to drink water or if indeed he can't take it anymore In the match, of course he could ask to be replaced by another referee at that time and as a senior referee of course he knew that.
But I don't know maybe it was the effect of dehydration and the hot weather made him lose concentration in the match.

I agree the concerned authorities should definitely investigate this, and he should be banned from referring in any matches in this tournament with immediate effect. Lastly just when one thought there wouldn’t be more chaos it seems Ghana player had another idea as he started a fight on the pitch, and this makes me wonder will we see more such controversy’s as this tournament progresses ahead.

[Lordhermes]

It was a boring day today at the African of nations, Senegal that has great players do well in Europe only played out a draw against Guinea, very disappointing Malawi against Zimbabwe was atleast okay with three goals score in the entire match, another suprise to me was between Ghana against Gabon which ended one goal for each team, well now I think it may just be between Cameroon and Nigeria for the title although it's still early.

The African cup of nations has been full of draws.Most of the games played,goals are not too common in those games,and I simply don't know why goals are not really in the tournament.The only team I have seen scoring so much goals is Cameron.They've been very good at goals,they score so much goals,and they are the only team that can guarantee you a 2.5.

[DU18]

]
The CAF actually needs to review every referee and linesman who will officiate the match, because frankly this is what makes football bad and full of controversy on the pitch and as you said, the referee ought to be able to signal to drink water or if indeed he can't take it anymore In the match, of course he could ask to be replaced by another referee at that time and as a senior referee of course he knew that.
But I don't know maybe it was the effect of dehydration and the hot weather made him lose concentration in the match.

I agree the concerned authorities should definitely investigate this, and he should be banned from referring in any matches in this tournament with immediate effect. Lastly just when one thought there wouldn’t be more chaos it seems Ghana player had another idea as he started a fight on the pitch, and this makes me wonder will we see more such controversy’s as this tournament progresses ahead.

Referee decisions often cause a lot of controversy that occurs on the field and it actually tarnishes the ongoing competition, the selection of the right and neutral referee should be done properly and through strict supervision to avoid taking sides against one team.
It seems that this year we will see a lot of controversy in the african cup, I don't know what caused the fight between ghana and gabon players in the match, didn't the referee actually blow the whistle after the  match ended with score 1-1?

[KTChampions]

But still, I do not understand why his assistants did not tell him during the game that he was finishing it too early.

I post about it here

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5200931.msg58972932#msg58972932

The coach could have been notified of the gun shot that rock the city which the match was played. This could create panic. I think it is intentional.

Thanks for the info, I missed it. In any case, it is sad when the tournament is accompanied by such incidents.
Ghana failed to beat Gabon yesterday and put itself in a difficult position - now the possibility of reaching the playoffs depends not only on the result of the game with the Comoros, but also on a parallel game, where Morocco's big win would be ideal.

[Rruchi man]

The Nigerian vs Sudan game just started and Nigeria is already ahead by a goal from Chukwueze! wow. I predict a game full of goals and enough action for the super eagles, still my favourites to win this AFCON. I don't Sudan can bounce back from this early goal against them, the Nigerian team is on fire. I don't just hope we win the game, but also keep a clean sheet.