CAN 2015 Qualifiers

Wilfred Kanon played in Romania only at small teams who relegated in that seasons, but he didn't played badly. Could be a interesting player.

 

For what its worth Kanon has the highest rating of all his teammates at Ado den Haag and is the highest rated central defender in the Eredivisie at Whoscored:
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/141790/Show/Wilfried-Kanon

 

Wow, really impressive.

 

Kanon is a kid that everyone has wanted for almost half a year now. Glad it's come to fruition.

Lol @ the rest of the newbies on the team. None real game changers, other than Thomas Toure whose barely an espoire and has recently just made a small buzz for himself under Sagnol.

 

Don't know anything about Koffi Kouamé (Séwé San Pedro/CIV), so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The Cyriac call-up is pointless. Cote d'Ivoire already has 4-5 strikers that are loads better than him. Is Cote d'Ivoire really in need of strikers?

 

These Cyriac was a big talent some years ago, but you're right...Ivory Coast has a lot of quality up front.

 

All in all I like how Renard is searching. The Kanon call-up proves he's doing some very good monitoring of players. And so far Kessie and Assale are great local league call-ups and players that would have never been given a chance prior to Renard. He obviously needs to clog up the porous defence, but its also nice to see he's searching for options in midfield past the big three (Yaya, Tiote and Die).

 

Watching Kanon play vs Vitesse. Has been head and shoulders above everyone in an otherwise terrible ADO den Haag defensive line. He has effectively cut off supply to Abiola Dauda, who is feeding off scraps.

Other things of note:
Abiola Dauda is lone due a call-up.
And Bertrand Traore's first touch is sublime and second to none.

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WOW. The more I watch Kanon the more I see a future legend.
I know Whoscored isn't all-telling and the stats can be dead wrong, but I watched the game and can confirm - he was that good! Just can't defend all by your lonesome. Despite losing 6:1 Kanon was the highest rated defender on either side, notching up 4 headers won (100% success rate), 5 tackles, 6 interceptions, 5 clearances, blocked one shot, won an offside. He does need to work on his passing, but his positioning, calmness and physical domination make him lethally effective.

I honestly wouldn't mind a Kessie - Kanon defensive duo. This could be Cote d'Ivoire's best defensive line ever.

 

slow down.

Lamine Kone isn't a slouch either.

I wonder who starts at right back, cuz Aurier has had a horror show performance recently with PSG. Not his first one either. Also Tiene riding a wave of great form

 

Yeah, Lamine Kone also great. Defence always seemed like a trouble, but this current crop found by Renard really has enormous potential.

Tiene is a left back and the only left back that was called up, so he's a guaranteed starter. Also - will be beneficial to have him back, because Cote d'Ivoire dearly miss his freekicks.

As for rightback no idea what's up with Aurier, but RB is one position that there is no need to worry with Brice Dja Djedje (excelling at OM) and Jean Daniel Akpa-Akpro more than capable replacements if need be.

I sincerely hope however that Copa is finally given a rest and Mande or possibly Gbohouo (haven't really seen him, so can't comment) are given a chance. The generational change at the back needs to happen now. And on merit only Tiene deserves to stay on as a remnant of the old generation.

 

Sad, very sad.

http://africansoccer.weebly.com/news/bellarabi-included-in-germany-squad

He will play a game for Germany and just so..

 

Egypt had a crucial 2-0 away win over Botswana, while Senegal and Tunisia played a 0-0 draw.

Lesotho also held 0-0 to Angola at home.

 

Morocco the hosts want the African Cup postponed because of Ebola epidemic, the request to delay it has been lodged with CAF already.

 

Jumping the gun a bit isn't it?

That being said, better safe than sorry.

 

Until when? Winter 2016?

 

Most players ply their trade in Europe. There are three countries widely affected by Ebola are Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Sierra Leone is probably out come next Wednesday, Liberia is already out, leaving Guinea as the sole possible ebola-nations. But the game aren;t even played in Guinea.

Sure, there have been cases in Nigeria and one in Senegal, but using that logic with the recent outbreak in Spain: Why not the same level of panic in Europe? Maybe we should postpone the Champions League?

Its the same mindless panic as Europeans cancelling trips to Kenya and Tanzania because its in 'Africa', despite they themselves living in higher risk ebola countries like Great Britain, France or Spain.

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Boring 0:0 draw between Senegal and Tunisia. If either team wins the next game they have qualified. Good news for Egypt as this give them a fighting chance for coming 2nd in the group.

 

Malawi 0 - 2 Algeria (Halliche 9' - Mesbah 92')

Not a great performance by Algeria. Halliche headed early goal from corner kick thanks to poor defense and Mesbah scored a late goal thanks to a silly mistake from the goalkeeper, but nothing much for the fennecs other than that. Malai were arguably better for the most part, but they lacked realism by missing the target in the majority of their shots, or had to deal with a great M'Bolhi and the post. Boring match for neutrals with a weak atmosphere to boot.

Oh well, at least now we can win while being mediocre which was impossible a few years back. The game in Blida, Wednesday, should be more interesting and we can clinch our spot to the ACN in case of a win.

EDIT: Found the videos of both goals:

 

Niger and Zambia played to a 0-0 draw. Things aren't done for both of them, but if any of them lose in Lusaka, it'd be nearly as good as finished.

 

Would disagree. Sierra Leone parked the bus and on another day Cameroon would have scored. Cameroon once again worringly easily frustrated and start losing their temper. That said bringing on Edgar Salli made Sierra Leone lose structure. Before that they looked pretty compact. Still expect Cameroon to break through on Wednesday.

Cote d'Ivoire also missed a penalty. Overall not looing good for DRCongo.

Was impressed by RSA. Not there yet but I see progress. 17 year old Rivaldo, apparently named after - guess - makes his debut for RSA. Yoingest South African international ever.

I think the word you're looking for is lusophone

 

Nigeria meanwhile on the verge of crashing out of the 2015 African Cup of Nations - trailing 1:0 to Sudan in Khartoum. The Keshi adventure seems ready to implode with a plop.

 

BTW Christian Koffi from Sewe Sports was the best player for Cote d'Ivoire, outshining Tiote, Toure, Gervinho. He was an aboslute beast - there is talent in African leagues!

 

And African champions Nigeria en route to doing an Egypt!!! Sudan - Nigeria 1:0. Keshi has lost his mojo. 1 point after 3 games. Not all hope is lost but Nigeria needs to win all 3 next games. And I claim they won't under Keshi.

All in all expect someone to replace Keshi by November games. We'll see if its too late...