Grant’s side are in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations but that has not stopped some Ghanaians expressing dissatisfaction with the performances.

“Every player had has criticism at one time or another. I would like that to change,” said the Israeli.

“I don’t know why they target players. I would like them to respect the payers, who are giving everything.”

Ghana are seeking an elusive fifth Nations Cup title in Gabon – their last came in 1982.

And they are showing the kind of resilience and quality necessary to end that 35-year wait, having beaten DR Congo 2-1 in Sunday’s quarter-final to reach the last four.

But some people have questioned whether the team is sufficiently equipped to go all the way, and Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew appears to be the focus of the doubters’ negativity.

“Jordan is having a great tournament,” Grant countered. “He gave a great assist to Asamoah Gyan against Mali and scored a great goal against DR Congo in the quarter-final.

“Also his performance statistics are great and they show he is running a lot. He is answering his critics on the pitch.”

The Black Stars will meet Cameroon on Thursday for a place in the final.

“It will be very tough, we saw Cameroon’s quarter-final win over Senegaland they played very well,” Grant said.

“Cameroon will have one more day rest than us but we’ve shown we can deal with difficulties.

“My team is improving, every game we get fitter and sharper. And this team has a big heart.”
–
By: BBC

The post Afcon 2017: Ghana coach Avram Grant calls for criticism to stop appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mane, Africa’s most expensive player, was denied by Fabrice Ondoa, Vincent Aboubakar hitting the winning penalty.

Much fancied Senegal had a great chance to win it in normal time but Moussa Sow volleyed wide from close range to leave the game scoreless after 120 minutes.

Cameroon are four-time winners of the tournament.

The result means Mane is likely to make a swift return to his club Liverpool, who suffered a surprising 2-1 home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderersin the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

There were striking similarities to this game and 15 years ago, when Cameroon and Senegal met in the 2002 final in Mali.

On that occasion, Cameroon beat Senegal 3-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

Senegal were made to pay for missing a number of chances in both normal time and extra time.

West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate headed an early chance over the bar while Stoke City’s Mame Biram Diouf was close with a lob from inside the area.

Cameroon, who will now face the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana on Thursday for a place in the final, failed to register a noteworthy shot in the opening hour.

Their first serious attempt on target came in the 65th minute when Robert Ndip Tambe volleyed straight at Abdoulaye Diallo before the Senegal keeper produced a low one-handed save to keep out Benjamin Moukandjo.

Diallo was responsible for ensuring the tie went to penalties after a fine stop to keep out Jacques Zoua in extra time.

In the shootout, there was nothing to choose between the two teams as the first eight penalties went to plan.

At 4-4, Mane stepped forward but Ondoa saved his kick. That presented Aboubakar with a chance to seal victory and the Besiktas forward made no mistake.

–

Source: BBC

The post Mane misses decisive penalty as Cameroon reach semis appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

‘Small minded’ resilience

One observation the opening round has yielded is this: Just like the Euro 2016 tournament the so called small teams will not just roll over for the big boys even if they have no realistic chances of winning the title. Cote D’ivoire’s wan display against Togo served to highlight the triumph of collective resilience over names.

The defending Champions lined up with in-form Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and their other star names from the top European leagues. They however found the Togolese a hard nut to crack.

The game evoked shades of Christiano Ronaldo infamously dismissing Iceland’s approach to their drawn game at the Euros as “small minded”. If staying compact and tactically disciplined against superior opposition is “small minded” then expect to see a lot more at Gabon 2017.

Guinea Bissau, in their Portugal-like strips and with their legion of foreign based journeymen sounded this trend loudly enough on the opening day when the spoilt the party for the hosts, Gabon.

Zimbabwe are in bullish mood after holding hot favourites Algeria, or perhaps more appropriately after being held by Algeria! The warriors outclassed and out-thought Le Fennecs for 82 minutes until Riyadh Mahrez’s special rescue mission salvaged a point for the North Africans.

Can Senegal finally make their star power count?

In an interview with the BBC, former Senegal International Khalilou Fadiga, emphasized how members of the 2002 team that reached the quarter finals of the World cup were inspiring the current generation to win the Afcon 2017.

Aliou Cisse who captained that side, which also reached the final of AFCON 2002, is the current coach.

The former Birmingham City man has appointed Tony Silva as the goal keeper trainer while others make up the backroom staff.

Perhaps this has helped the perennially talent-laden team find their mojo. Against Tunisia, the Teranga Lions were slick and efficient as they purred to a 2-0 victory. It was undoubtedly the result of the opening round.

What remains to be seen is whether Senegal can build on that result and not choke like they have done in recent tournaments.

North Africans glum show continues

In the absence of Egypt from the last three African cups, the other North African countries have struggled to make an impact in the tournament. In 2012, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia made it to the finals with only Tunisia advancing to the last eight. They were eliminated by Ghana.

A year later, none of Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria could advance out of their groups at the tournament in South Africa.

In the last AFCON both representatives from the North advanced to the quarters. Algeria crushed out after a 3-1 loss to eventual Champions CIV. Tunisia on the other hand were seconds away from a semi-final berth when a controversial penalty awarded by the Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn to the hosts changed the outcome of the match and enabled Equatorial Guinea reach the last four at their expense.

With four representatives this time round, including the returning Pharaohs, more is expected of the North African contingent. An inauspicious start however means none of them won their opening matches. Will the poor run continue?

Star players and upstarts

Some star players have wasted no time getting off the mark for their teams. Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang predictably got Gabon going in the opening match, Riyadh Mahrez’s brace secured a point for Algeria and Sadio Mane and Andre Ayew’s efforts from the spot set Senegal and Ghana on their way to victories over Tunisia and Uganda respectively.

While other big names prepare to announce their presence at this year’s competition, a number of unheralded folks have caught the eye already.

Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat shone against Algeria and was unfortunate not to crown his effort with a goal. Cameroon have been deprived of many big names but were impressive against Burkina Faso, denied of victory by their own profligacy.

Winger Christian Bassogog was a major driving force and will cause problem for defences with his pace and strength. Guinea Bissau spent more time defending than attacking against Gabon.

But when they were in possession, Toni Silva showed immense guile and creativity. These are still early days yet.

Group D is the de facto group of death

Egypt may be back to the AFCON with their fearsome reputation, but winning the tournament will not be a given.

The Egyptians, unbeaten in 19 straight matches at the AFCON and are tipped by many as strong candidates for the title.

This is however not going to be plain sailing. For long portions of Egypt’s clash with Mali in Port Gentil, it was the Eagles who harried and dictated the pace of the match.

But for goal keeper El-Shenawy’s heroics that eventually led to his substitution, the outcome could have been different. On evidence of Uganda’s brave showing against Ghana, Egypt are by no means assured of three points when they line up against the cranes on Saturday.

With Ghana and Mali clashing in what should be a terrific encounter; Group D promises to serve up quite a treat.

–
By: Samuel Bartels
@sammybartels

The post AFCON 2017 Round 1: The story so far appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The time is now right after a historic democratic demonstration by Ghanaians that should you fail to deliver on their desires they will change you.

It is a patriotic spirit that wins a tournament not necessarily a great team.  Zambia demonstrated it in 2013. Germany demonstrated it in Brazil 2014.

Even the last winners of the AFCON, Ivory Coast did it with determination and a will to put their country first and in the forefront.  The Drogbas and Kolo Toures were all dry bones, yet they carried the cup away to reward a new President and a nation desiring new direction after a harsh war. Why not Ghana now?

Yes after Brazil 2014, issues about our non-resident coach, shadow boxing of the out gone Minister of Sports and the Ghana Football Association of Kwesi Nyantekyi, the wave of fresh breath  of electing a new president provides a fantastic opportunity for the players in camp to draw on new thinking and love for country.

Especially for a country like Ghana to redeem themselves, reward a new President and government and extend the new found joy in the hearts of Ghanaians.

When Germany won the World cup, most of the players gave their rewards to various charities and towards honourable courses.  Suggesting winning the FIFA World Cup was more prestigious, more gratifying for their names will forever be in gold in their country.

I am confident that this new government knows how to harness positive relations to achieve feats that make the people of Ghana happy.  After all, it was the precursor of the present government that worked hard with Kwesi Nyantekyi’s GFA to get Ghana to the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever in Germany 2006.

So Asamoah Gyan and Co please be rest assured that you will be decently talked to, looked after, and respected by thus new government.  So reward this great country with AFCON 2017.

Since Lybia 1992, we the soccer loving people of Ghana have not laughed properly.  It is time to be champions, Black Stars.

–

By: Charles N. D. Cobbina / [email protected] / 0266614114

(The writer is the Founder of the Million Balls Africa Project & Co-Founder of ORPED Sports Ghana)

The post #AFCON2017: Black Stars must be champions again [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The is because of the tight security at the hotel the players were lodging.

The Black Stars arrived in Gabon on Saturday after technical issues with their flight hence delaying their arrival.

Despite an uncertainty in their arrival hundreds of fans met them at the hotel but were unfortunately denied from getting autographs and welcome from the fans who waited for them outside.

Go for gold – President to Black Stars
Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo earlier urged the Black stars to ensure that they win the 2017 African Nations Cup.

The president took to Twitter to wish the team best of luck.

He tweeted:

Best wishes to the players, technical & management team of the Black Stars. Time to end our 34 year wait for the AFCON trophy. Go for gold!

–

By: Rahman Osman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Security blocks fans access to Black Stars in Gabon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.