Africa Cup of Nations

BEBE saw his penalty saved as Cape Verde was dumped out of Afcon after a shootout against South Africa.The two sides could not be separated in regular time as the scores were stuck at 0-0 during the quarter-final at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

Bebe saw his penalty saved against South AfricaCredit: AFP
The former Man United ace crashed out of Afcon with Cape VerdeCredit: AP
It was the same in extra-time as both teams failed to hit the back of the net.
Cape Verde and South Africa had plenty of chances, as there were 41 shots in the match.
However, their accuracy let them down with only eight shots finding the target throughout the game.
It was not meant to be for Bebe and Cape Verde, as four of their takers missed penalties.
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Former Manchester United flop started the shootout for his side but saw his effort saved by Ronwen Williams.
The South African stopper went on to save all but Bryan Silva Teixeira Jr’s effort.
Williams was the first-ever goalkeeper to save four penalties in an Afcon shootout.
He credited his success to the team’s analysts, who sent him “many penalties to study”.
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Ronwen Williams denied Bebe’s penaltiesCredit: EPA
He saved three other efforts in the shootoutCredit: AP
He has already kept four clean sheets in the tournament and is making a name for himself with his performances.
South Africa will now face Nigeria in the semi-finals, which will be played on Wednesday at the Stade Bouaké.
In the other semi-final, the host nation Ivory Coast take on DR Congo on the same day.
Bebe, 33, joined Man United in 2010 from Portuguese outfit Vitoria de Guimaraes and was expected to be the next big thing.
However, the attacker only managed two appearances for the club during his four-year spell.
He left on a permanent deal in 2014 as he returned to Portugal and joined Benfica.
During Afcon, he did score a brilliant 45-yard free kick against Mozambique. More

NENE DORGELES refused to celebrate despite scoring for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations – for a very classy reason.The exciting playmaker, 21, produced an incredible moment of magic to fire Mali ahead in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.
Nene Dorgeles refused to celebrate after scoring for Mali against Ivory CoastCredit: AFP
The playmaker let fly from distance to break the deadlock in the Afcon quarter-finalCredit: Twitter @SkyFootball

Dorgeles cut inside from the left flank – dropping a defender on to his backside – before unleashing a superb strike from 25 yards that flew into the top corner to break the deadlock on 71 minutes.
The Red Bull Salzburg star immediately ran off in excitement at his wonder goal against the hosts.
But within moments he suddenly pulled up and lifted his hands to show he was not celebrating his goal-of-the-tournament contender – despite the excitement of his team-mates.
And there is a very valid and sweet explanation for the unusual reaction following such a phenomenal goal to put Mali ahead and within 20 minutes of the Afcon semis.
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That is because although Dorgeles was born and raised in Mali, his parents were born in Ivory Coast.
And therefore he wanted to be respectful to his parents’ homeland where he regularly visits.
Fans on social media praised Dorgeles for his thoughtful reaction with emotions clearly running high.
One said: “I still can’t get over Nene Dorgeles refusing to celebrate. I’ve seen players refuse to celebrate against their former club, but never after scoring against his parents’ country.”
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Another simply wrote: “Respect.”
And a third added: “Nene Dorgeles joins Breel Embolo as the only players in my mind who’ve apologised for scoring against the country of their parents. #classy”
Embolo reacted similarly at the 2022 World Cup when he scored for Switzerland against Cameroon, the country of his birth.
Normally the lack of celebration is reserved for club football when a player scores against their former team.
The Dorgeles goal, though, was just a fraction of the incredible drama.
In the first half, Adama Noss Traore saw his golden chance to put Mali in front from the penalty spot denied by a smart Yahia Fofana save.
Odilon Kossounou then picked up his second yellow card of the first half to reduce the Elephants to ten men.
Then just as it looked as though Ivory Coast’s chaotic run was going to end, they equalised through Simon Adingra in the 90th minute to force extra-time.
Sebastien Haller crashed a header against the crossbar in the added half an hour, while at the other end Willy Boly came within a whisker of scoring an own goal.
And as penalties looked inevitable, sub Oumar Diakite grabbed a winner in the 122nd minute with a clever flick to send the hosts into the final four and spark pandemonium in the Stade Bouake.
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However, there was still time for Diakite to get sent off as Ivory Coast – managed by interim boss Emerse Fae after Jean-Louis Gasset’s mid-tournament sacking – finished with nine men while Hamari Traore also saw red for heartbroken Mali.
Ivory Coast will play DR Congo in the semis after a wondergoal from Arthur Masuaku fired them through against Guinea.
Dorgeles’ parents are IvorianCredit: Twitter @oluwashina
He was in tears at the full-time whistle after the heartbreaking exitCredit: Getty
Ivory Coast scored their winner in the 122nd minuteCredit: AP More

ARTHUR MASUAKU has scored a stunning goal at the Africa Cup of Nations for the Democratic Republic of Congo – and fans have proved it was no fluke.The spectacular free-kick left supporters stunned, but some noticed it’s not the first time he’s pulled off the jaw-dropping effort.
Arthur Masuaku scored a stunning goal for DR Congo in the Afcon quarter-final vs GuineaCredit: Getty
The full-back looked to be floating a free-kick into the box for someone to attackCredit: X @SkyFootball
Instead he was aiming for the near post to beat the out-of-position goalkeeperCredit: X @SkyFootball
The effort flew into the top corner and DR Congo went 3-1 upCredit: X @SkyFootball
Masuaku celebrated with his teammatesCredit: Reuters

Masuaku, who used to play for West Ham, helped book DR Congo a spot in the Afcon semi-finals.
The full-back scored the third goal for the Leopards as they brushed Guinea aside with a 3-1 victory.
Masuaku took a free-kick from wide on the left-hand side in what appeared to be a crossing position.
DR Congo players lined up on the edge of the box anticipating a cross into the corridor of uncertainty.
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But Masuaku had other ideas, spotting Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone slightly out of position, the Besiktas star aimed for goal instead.
He floated an effort towards the near post and saw it fly into the back of the net, booking DR Congo a place in the last four.
Fans were blown away with the goal with one taking to social media to post: “WOW! THAT WAS INSANE!”
While another added: “Goal of the tournament for sure!”
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Other fans were quick to point out that the sneaky finish is something Masuaku has done before.
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The 30-year-old found the back of the net in an almost identical fashion back in 2021 while playing for West Ham.
In open play Masuaku caught out Eduoard Mendy, who was in goal for Chelsea at the time, by aiming for the near post when the Blues keeper was anticipating a cross.
One fan wrote: “He knew what he was doing!”
While another added: “The Masuaku signature. The near post cross goal.”
A third joked: “Is that Mendy in goal? As I’ve seen that before in a past life!”
Masuaku scored a similar goal against Chelsea in 2021
He caught Edouard Mendy out by floating it into the top corner at the near post More

FOOTBALL fans were left in hysterics after watching a Senegal player “turn into prime Shawn Michaels” at the Africa Cup of Nations.Holders Senegal were knocked out of the tournament on penalties on Monday night as hosts Ivory Coast progressed into the quarter-finals.
The Senegal player fell over by the far touchline after being dispossessedCredit: BBC via X formerly Twitter

He then acrobatically got back to his feet by flipping overCredit: BBC via X formerly Twitter
And he clattered into an Ivorian player after running offCredit: BBC via X formerly Twitter
But one moment in particular caught the attention of those on social media during first-half stoppage time.
As a Senegal player tried to dribble the ball out of his own half, he fell to the floor after losing possession.
But he leapt back up by throwing his feet in the air and landing upright on the pitch.
He then clattered into an Ivory Coast player while running off.
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It was an impressive feat of athleticism that drew the eye of many online.
And one person compared him to WWE legend Shawn Michaels who performed a similar move in the ring.
They said: “Bloke turned into prime Shawn Michaels 😂😂😂.”
While another added: “😭😭😭😭😭 every single match has a moment that kills me 😂😂.”
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And a third replied: “Gonna need the box set for this tournament when it’s done.”
Senegal crashed out of Afcon following a 5-4 defeat in the shootout.
Ivory Coast had cancelled out Habib Diallo’s fourth-minute opener through a late Franck Kessie spot kick.
And it was Kessie who then stepped up to send the Ivorians through to the last eight with the final penalty of the shootout.
After the match, Senegal’s Lamine Camara picked up Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and led him down the tunnel as he was beside himself in tears.
Ivory Coast will now face Mali or Burkina Faso for a place in the semi-finals on Saturday.
The Senegal player was compared to WWE icon Shawn Michaels, rightCredit: AFP More

SENEGAL star Lamine Camara was CARRIED off the pitch in tears after suffering Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak in scenes reminiscent of The Bodyguard.The 19-year-old, who plays for French side Metz, and his team-mates were dumped out of the tournament  by Ivory Coast on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Lamine Camara was unable to leave the pitch as he cried uncontrollablyCredit: Reddit
His Senegal team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate had to carry him back to the changing-roomCredit: Reddit
The holders got off to a dream start when Habib Diallo converted a Sadio Mane cross after just four minutes.
But Franck Kessie sent the game into extra-time when he scored from the spot four minutes from the end of normal time.
Then, with neither nation making a breakthrough in the additional 30 minutes, Kessie would convert the winning penalty.
The Elephants’ will now face either Mali or Burkina Faso in the quarter-final on Saturday.
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Senegal’s loss continued the trend of no reigning champion going beyond the first knockout game at Afcon since Egypt in 2010.
And it all proved to be a little too much to handle for midfielder Camara as he was left completely distraught.
He was spotted crying for around ten minutes out on the pitch after the crushing loss.
And he only ended up leaving the turf with the help of his team-mate.
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After several had tried to console him, Nottingham Forest star Cheikhou Kouyate, an unused sub who left the tournament this month to attend his father’s funeral, scooped him up and began carrying him back to the dressing-room.
The footage evoked memories of Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in the famous scene from Hollywood blockbuster The Bodyguard.
Reacting to the scenes, one fan posted on social media: “Speaks a lot about Cheikhou’s character. Modern day legend.”
Another wrote: “AFCON emotions is unmatched.”
While a third said: “Tough scenes to watch, but it’s heartening to see how much it means to him.” More

ANGOLA goalkeeper Neblu was sent off after a handball outside his area against Namibia.The two African nations facED off in the Last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations but Pedro Goncalves’ side endured a horrific start.

Angola lost their goalkeeper after just 17 minutes against NamibiaCredit: X / SkyFootball
Neblu was sent off for a handball outside his box during a dangerous attackCredit: X / SkyFootball
The referee showed Neblu an immediate red cardCredit: X / SkyFootball
Angola still managed to pick up the lead despite being a man downCredit: AFP
Some careless defending by Angola led to Kialonda Gaspar getting dispossessed at the back by Bethuel Muzeu who only had the Angolan keeper to beat.
However, Neblu was too quick to come off his line and found himself outside his box.
Muzeu saw his opportunity and delivered a shot that gave the Primeiro de Agosto shot stopper no other choice but to palm it away.
However, the 30-year-old’s hands were outside his penalty box and the referee issued a straight red card after just 17 minutes.
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Afcon fans were left in disbelief with Neblu’s reaction and took to social media.
One fan tweeted: “The Angola keeper thinks he is playing basketball.”
Another posted: “Afcon unbeaten, Angola keeper sent off for handball.”
A third commented: “LOOOOOL AFCON chaos has started. Angola keeper gets a straight red for handling outside of his box.”
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This fan said: “Oooh no, read card.”
And that one gushed: “Wow.”
But in a shock twist, Angola still managed to turn the mood around as they scored twice within four minutes thanks to a brace by Gelson Dala.
And Namibia also had a player of their own sent off in Lubeni Pombili Haukongo just five minutes before half-time. More

ZINEDINE ZIDANE has rejected an offer to become the new manager of Algeria.The World Cup winner was reportedly flattered by the offer to replace Djamel Belmadi as head coach.
Zinedine Zidane has rejected an approach from AlgeriaCredit: AFP
Belmadi was sacked following Algeria’s group stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Fennec Foxes finished bottom of their group with two points after losing their final match to Mauritania on Tuesday.
According to L’Equipe, Zidane has since been contacted to become their new manager but refused the proposal.
The 51-year-old, whose parents were both born and raised in Algeria, is said to have been flattered by the offer.
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Fellow Frenchman Herve Renard and former Morocco boss Vahid Halilhodzic are also candidates for the role.
Zidane has previously rejected approaches from Brazil and the USA since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
He has also made it clear he would only go into international management with his native France.
It is almost three years since he ended his second spell as Real Madrid boss by winning a third Champions League crown.
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Across two stints in the dugout, Zidane won 11 major trophies with Los Blancos, including two league titles.
A host of European clubs have since been linked with appointing him, including Manchester United.
He has been tipped as a potential option for the Red Devils if Erik ten Hag is sacked. More