2017 African Cup of Nations

citytillidie

This starts tomorrow live games and highlights on Eurosport

Group A
Gabon
Guinea-Bissau
Burkina Faso
Cameroon

Group B
Algeria
Tunisia
Senegal
Zimbabwe

Group C
Côte d'Ivoire
DR Congo
Morocco
Togo

Group D
Ghana
Mali
Egypt
Uganda

Fixtures
Jan 14th
Gabon V Guinea-Bissau
Burkina Faso V Cameroon

Jan 15th
Algeria V Zimbabwe
Tunisia V Senegal

Jan 16th
Côte d'Ivoire V Togo
DR Congo V Morocco

Jan 17th
Ghana V Uganda
Mali V Egypt

Jan 18th
Gabon V Burkina Faso
Cameroon V Guinea-Bissau

Jan 19th
Algeria V Tunisia
Senegal V Zimbabwe

Jan 20th
Côte d'Ivoire V DR Congo
Morocco V Togo

Jan 21st
Ghana V Mali
Egypt V Uganda

Jan 22nd
Cameroon V Gabon
Guinea-Bissau V Burkina Faso

Jan 23rd
Senegal V Algeria
Zimbabwe V Tunisia

Jan 24th
Morocco V Côte d'Ivoire
Togo V DR Congo

Quarter Finals
Jan 28th
Match 1
1st Group A V 2nd Group B
Match 3
1st Group B V 2nd Group A

Jan 29th
Match 2
1st Group D V 2nd Group C
Match 4
1st Group C V 2nd Group D

Semi Final
Feb 1st
Match 5
Winner Match 1 V Winner Match 2

Feb 2nd
Match 6
Winner Match 3 V winner Match 4

Third Place Play-off
Feb 4th
Loser Match 5 V Loser Match 6

Final
Feb 5th
Winner Match 5 V Winner Match 6

inforfun

Morocco missing a lot of attack minded players and still Ziyech was left at home.
Hope they go out after the group, need El Ahmadi back at Feyenoord.

If there is 1 job for Fifa it should be this tournament going to the summer months.

Lovely Bloke

inforfun wrote: »

If there is 1 job for Fifa it should be this tournament going to the summer months.

Hear Hear, and make it 4 years instead of 2 years, it's absolutely ridiculous that players can be taken away from clubs for an extended period every two years to facilitate this.

citytillidie

inforfun wrote: »

Morocco missing a lot of attack minded players and still Ziyech was left at home.
Hope they go out after the group, need El Ahmadi back at Feyenoord.

If there is 1 job for Fifa it should be this tournament going to the summer months.

Have it in the summer time June or July limits the countries that can host it.

Like Gabon is on the equator could you imagine the fuss caused if this was played in the summer.

Every 4 years would be better

inforfun

sugarman wrote: »

Then it interferes with the Confederations Cup, in which the winner of the ACON competes.

Also, the majority of African players are home based anyway in which their league has a break.

Just because theres a handfull of lads playing in europe doesnt mean they should adjust their schedule.

You are a bit wrong there. (Dutch site, having the numbers)

Ligue 1 losing 34 players
EPL >>>> 22
Ligue 2 >>>> 18
Serie A 13
Primera 11
Bundesliga 7


Lille in Ligue 1 is without 5 players this month.

I consider that more than a hand full.

citytillidie wrote: »

Have it in the summer time June or July limits the countries that can host it.

Like Gabon is on the equator could you imagine the fuss caused if this was played in the summer.

Every 4 years would be better

Would that be much different to Holland - Mexico in Forteleza? Or those matches in Manaus? It is a big ass continent, pretty sure there must be places having that tournament in january isnt exactly ideal either.
Poverty limits the countries than can organise is more than climate.

Tom.D.BJJ

I also think Jan/Feb is used because of the weather/temperature in some African countries.

No reason the Africans should use a European schedule just to suit the EPL

citytillidie

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

I also think Jan/Feb is used because of the weather/temperature in some African countries.

No reason the Africans should use a European schedule just to suit the EPL

It is like people don't know there is other club schedules around the World and not every country follows the August to May/June league schedule

ArmaniJeanss

Lovely Bloke wrote: »

Hear Hear, and make it 4 years instead of 2 years, it's absolutely ridiculous that players can be taken away from clubs for an extended period every two years to facilitate this.

Presumably the few quid that filters down to grass roots (after the CAF people have wet their beaks) is what keeps football going at a low level /schoolboy level in Africa - as I doubt the likes of the Nigerian or Cameroon governments are doing much to administer leagues or make sure the councils maintain pitches.
So ironically if you reduce the income from this tournament (by running it at a different time and/or halving its frequency) then you may affect African football such that in future there won't be as many Sadio Mane's or Eric Baillys in your club anyway.

Lovely Bloke

The equator has the same weather all year, no seasons, no mad temperature fluctuations (apart from dropping when it rains)

Link

Near the Equator there is little distinction between summer, winter, autumn, or spring. The temperatures are usually high year-round—with the exception of high mountains in South America and in Africa. (See Andes and Mount Kilimanjaro.) The temperature at the Equator can plummet during rainstorms. In many tropical regions people identify two seasons: the wet season and the dry season,

In fact, places further north or south would be the issue, Egypt for example, can get extremely warm in the summer, but at the moment it can be under ten degrees some days.

kfallon

Is it now a mandatory red for Witchcraft? :pac:

inforfun

sugarman wrote: »

Theres 368 players competing in the competition, 103 from the above. So less than 30%.

Its annoying but thats life, clubs know it when they sign African players.

Ok.

Belgian 1st league > 14
Turkey Super league > 15
Dutch league > 4 (or 5)

Dont have figures of Eastern European leagues where there are quite a few African players active as well.
There is one playing in Malta even.
All added up i think we are not far from 50% not playing on that continent but in leagues that are now in action.

It is annoying, yes.
It is not necessary to have this tournament bi-annual and in the winter though. Copa America and the Gold Cup are held in "our" summer too after all.


Edit:

Well, **** me....
Link i posted actually does give the full numbers

Liefst 238 spelers verdienen hun brood in Europa, waar 104 deelnemers actief zijn in Afrika.

tr: No less than 238 players earn their living in Europe as where 104 are playing in Africa

keeponhurling

citytillidie wrote: »

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

I also think Jan/Feb is used because of the weather/temperature in some African countries.

No reason the Africans should use a European schedule just to suit the EPL

It is like people don't know there is other club schedules around the World and not every country follows the August to May/June league schedule

Ironic on an Irish website

breffni bogballer

SO,b4 it kicks off, who is every ones fancy? Without knowing too much i"ll go for Egypt @9-1

inforfun

Algeria.

Mr.Nice Guy

breffni bogballer wrote: »

SO,b4 it kicks off, who is every ones fancy? Without knowing too much i"ll go for Egypt @9-1

Ivory Coast are understandable favourites imo. Their squad looks impressive. Seri, Bony, Bailly, Aurier, Sio, Kalou, and of course Zaha who I'm particularly interested in watching. 10/3 on PaddyPower I see. I might stick a few quid on them.

Korat

inforfun wrote: »

If there is 1 job for Fifa it should be this tournament going to the summer months.

FIFA should stay the hell out of it. Let the African federation do what suits them not whingers in England.

Moaning about losing players to ACN is ridiculous. When you sign an African international, which most would already have to be to get a WP, you know they'll be gone for a month during the English season every two years. If you can't deal with that then don't sign them.

If it's such a big deal the problem could easier be solved by having a Winter break in England, but that would inconvience the wrong people.

dfx-

Just noticed when the camera went on him that Camacho is the brand new coach of Gabon, not a good sign for them to play attacking football. Very few forward passes from them first half.

ERG89

What a slide tackle by the goalie.....If that was premier league it'd be a straight red mind

keeponhurling

Congo are wearing jerseys made by our own O'Neills

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=264972

Zaph

I don't understand why it needs to be every two years. All the other continental championships are held every four years, so why is Africa different?

Dirty Dingus McGee

Zaph wrote: »

I don't understand why it needs to be every two years. All the other continental championships are held every four years, so why is Africa different?

My guess is that because the game is somewhat underdeveloped in Africa and they want to give it a boost by having the championships more often.

Here's a better explanation below.

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-African-Cup-of-Nations-every-2-years

Ekegbu Chibuzor, Working for a better Africa
Written Sep 2
The reason is for football to catch up with development of it in Europe. Europe organizes her own every four years because football is much more developed there.

Africa cannot afford to follow that format noting very well that football as a sport is still growing and the technical aspect of it is yet to reach an enviable position. Football is much more than just kicking a ball.

Constantly hosting the competition, like every 2 years, makes the focus of football to always be on the mind of organizations responsible for improving its play. It gives every country the opportunity of always improving and not going to sleep until another 4 years.

It makes more money, through sponsorship, for CAF to continue to promote and develop the game. Making $10 million every 2 years is far better than making $10million every 4 years.

It increases the rate at which talents will be discovered and shipped overseas for further harnessing.

Bridge93

Algeria losing 2-1 to Zimbabwe. Goalie just made an unbelieveable save

razorblunt

Zaph wrote: »

I don't understand why it needs to be every two years. All the other continental championships are held every four years, so why is Africa different?

2 years = Circle of Life.

R00ster

Zimbabwe had a great chance to seal it, Algeria went straight down the other end to equalise. A draw would still be an amazing result for them though.

dfx-

The Tunisia Senegal second half was very entertaining. An absolute mystery how Tunisia did not score and Senegal had plenty of chances on the break to get a third.

inforfun

Zaph wrote: »

I don't understand why it needs to be every two years. All the other continental championships are held every four years, so why is Africa different?

And the "open" years between the ACN we have the ANC. But thankfully, that isnt a tournament where countries can call up anyone they want.
Last year DR Congo (which in my head always read as Doctor Congo...) won that one

R00ster

The squads for the ANC must be entirely made up of domestically based players. Would be quite an interesting concept for European Teams if there was the time to hold it.

citytillidie

Round 1 Results
Group A
Gabon 1 V 1 Guinea-Bissau
Bukina Faso 1 V 1 Cameroon

Group B
Algerial 2 V 2 Zimbabwe
Tunisia 0 V 2 Senegal

Group C
Côte d'Ivoire 0 V 0 Togo
DR Congo 1 V 0 Morocco

Group D
Ghana 1 V 0 Uganda
Mali 0 V 0 Egypt

bernardo mac

razorblunt wrote: »

2 years = Circle of Life.

Am going back to Irish Junior soccer.Better standard of football and local interest!

dfx-

Another entertaining game between Gabon and Burkina Faso, another draw.

Zaph

Early contender for next year's Puskas award, Guinea-Bissau vs Cameroon last night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBxMeU1sStI

inforfun

inforfun wrote: »

Algeria.

I guess they wanted back to their clubs asap. 2-1 down to Tunesia.

citytillidie

Round 2 Results
Group A
Gabon 1 V 1 Burkina Faso
Cameroon 2 V 1 Guinea-Bissau

Table
Cameroon GD 1 - PTS 4
Gabon GD 0 - PTS 2
Burkina Faso GD 0 - PTS 2
Guinea-Bissau GD -1 - PTS 1

Group B
Algeria 1 V 2 Tunisia
Senegal 2 V 0 Zimbabwe

Table
Senegal GD 4 - PTS 6 - Qualified for Quarter Final
Tunisia GD -1 - PTS 3
Algeria GD -1 - PTS 1
Zumbabwe GD -2 PTS 1

Group C
Côte d'Ivoire 2 V 2 DR Congo
Morocco 3 V 1 Togo

Table
DR Congo GD 1 - PTS 4
Morocco GD 1 - PTS 3
Côte d'Ivoire GD 0 - PTS 2
Togo GD -2 - PTS 1

Group D
Ghana 1 V 0 Mali
Egypt 1 V 0 Uganda

Table
Ghana GD 2 - PTS 6 - Qualified for Quarter Final
Egypt GD 1 - PTS 4
Mali GD -1 - PTS 1
Uganda GD -2 - PTS 0 - Out

Reganio 2

Is only the 2nd half of the Cameroon b's Gabon game on live? Eurosport has their coverage starting at 7:45 but the game kicks off at 7:00 I think.

citytillidie

Coverage is on Eurosport 1 now

Harry Palmr

Senegal are going to win this

R00ster

Extraordinary finish to the Gabon-Cameroon game. In the 94th minute, Gabon hit the post and the rebound was tipped over by the keeper whilst he was sitting flat on his arse. Aubameyang missed an open goal from about two yards out at the start. Apart from that Gabon were poor and created very little.

citytillidie

Final Results of Group A
Cameroon 0 V 0 Gabon
Guinea-Bissau 0 V 2 Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso Group winners
Cameroon Runner up.

GLaDOS

Dortmund will be delighted

citytillidie

Tonights Results
Sengal 2 V 2 Algeria
Zimbabwe 2 V 4 Tunisia

Senegal - Group Winners
Tunisia - Runners Up

1st Quarter Finals sorted
Burkina Faso V Tunisia
Senegal V Cameroon

Stevecw

For a must win game, Ivory Coast have been terrible so far. 0-0 at ht. They may step it up after half time. With the team they have it would be seriously bad to go out already.

Stevecw

Hard to see Ivory Coast come back from 1 down. Great goal by Morocco though.

Mr.Nice Guy

I'm glad I never got round to sticking a bet on Ivory Coast. A squad stacked with talent going out with a whimper.

CSF

Plenty of English clubs will be happy with this, no more than Villa getting Kodjia back!!!

citytillidie

Tonights Results
Morocco 1 V 0 Côte d'Ivoire
Togo 1 V 3 DR Congo

DR Congo - Group Winners
Morocco - Runners up

Headshot

Anyone else think the standards of this competition is dreadful?

I've been watching a few games and it's just so bad. One big factor is the pitches but just a lot of poor quality of players I think. Stadiums look half empty from the matches I've seen as well.

Seems to be always the case with these ACON competitions.

dfx-

Headshot wrote: »

Anyone else think the standards of this competition is dreadful?

I've been watching a few games and it's just so bad. One big factor is the pitches but just a lot of poor quality of players I think. Stadiums look half empty from the matches I've seen as well.

Seems to be always the case with these ACON competitions.

Any of the games I've watched bar Mali v Egypt have been entertaining stuff. Certainly better than EPL or FA Cup stuff I've seen lately. The Tunisia Senegal game will be a tough one to beat for most entertaining.

citytillidie

Tonight's Results
Egypt 1 V 0 Ghana
Uganda 1 V 1 Mali

Egypt - Group Winners
Ghana - Runners up

Quarter Finals
Jan 28th
Burkina Faso V Tunisia
Senegal V Cameroon

Jan 29th
Egypt V Morocco
DR Congo V Ghana

Boots234

Senegal v Cameroon about to start the lottery that is penalties

dfx-

Very hard for a football match to break out over 120 minutes when the ref was blowing his whistle every 30 seconds.

citytillidie

Today's Results
Burkina Faso 2 V 0 Tunisia
Senegal 0 V 0 Cameroon - Cameroon win on pens 4-5