Africa Cup of Nations

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

Forgotten Premier League flop Emerse Fae has been handed the task of reviving the Ivory Coast’s AFCON campaign.Reading paid a then club record £2.5million for the Nantes midfielder in 2007.
Former Reading midfielder Emerse Fae has been appointed Ivory Coast managerCredit: Action Images
However, Fae made just 11 appearances as Steve Coppell’s Royals were relegated in 2008.
He returned to France with Nice that year after starting just six times for the Berkshire side.
Fae has recently worked as the Ivory Coast’s assistant manager – but has been given the top job after Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked with the Elephants on the brink of AFCON elimination.
However, Morocco’s 1-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday kept the hosts in the tournament – and they will take on holders Senegal on Monday.
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Fae, 40, won 41 caps for the west African country.
He now hopes to profit from their miracle reprieve.
“We were really disappointed with our own results, and afraid of not progressing in our home tournament,” he said.
“But we have got through thanks to others, and have to remain humble.
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Ivory Coast reached the round of 16 after other results went their wayCredit: AFP
“Expectations weighed heavily on us, but now there is less weight on our shoulders.
“We must focus on Senegal. They are a good side, and we must repay our fans.”
Nantes-born Fae hung up his boots in 2012 after problems with veins in his legs. More

IVORY COAST have sacked manager Jean-Louis Gasset midway through the Africa Cup of Nations.The tournament hosts concluded their group stage campaign by losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea on Monday.
Jean-Louis Gasset has been sacked by the Ivory CoastCredit: AFP
Despite finishing third in group A, though, they could still advance as one of the four best third-placed sides.
In a statement, the Elephants confirmed: “The contracts of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant are terminated due to insufficient results.”
Gasset’s side began the tournament by beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 before defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
Those defeats leave the Ivory Coast hoping other results go their way to avoid a first group stage exit since 2017.
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Gasset’s squad for the tournament included Premier League stars Serge Aurier and Simon Adingra.
They will learn their fate once groups E and F play out their final matches on Wednesday.
Reigning champions Senegal await in the round of 16 if the Ivorians do progress.
The two-time winners were amongst the pre-tournament favourites as they staged AFCON for the first time in 40 years.
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Gasset had been in charge of the national team since May 2022 after replacing fellow Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle.
He had previously had spells as manager of Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Montpellier back in France.
However, the 70-year-old now departs mid-tournament after back-to-back defeats. More

MANCHESTER UNITED will continue to play without Andre Onana as Cameroon reach the Afcon knockout stage.In a five-goal thriller, Cameroon beat Gambia 3-2 in the dying minutes of the game.
Manchester United will continue to be without Andre OnanaCredit: AFP
Cameroon have secured their spot in the Afcon knockout stageCredit: Reuters
Christopher Wooh scored the third strike that saw Cameroon win the game 3-2Credit: AFP
A goalless first half had fans in doubt of Cameroon’s place in the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations.
But a dramatic second 45 saw Rigobert Song’s side take the lead on three occasions in between Gambia’s two goals.
And in the 94th minute, Tom Saintfiet’s Gambia squad thought they had equalised only for the goal to be disallowed by handball.
Cameroon’s victory now means they will face Nigeria in the last-16 in Abidjan on Saturday.
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And fans have lauded the chaotic Afcon match on Twitter with some calling the tournament “the best AFCON ever.”
While another added: “the afcon cup script is unreal 😭.”
A third then called Gambia’s handball: “Hand of God😂😂😂.”
As Senegal beat Guinea 2-0 Cameroon finished their Group C stage in second and Gambia crashed out after a third successive loss.
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Meanwhile, the Red Devils shot-stopper Onana will be hoping to regain his place after being dropped by Song for tonight’s game.
Instead, Fabrice Ondoa, who is the United player’s cousin, was named in goal.
Onana had retired from international duty after falling out with manager Song at the World Cup in 2022.
But the two put their differences aside ahead of Afcon this year which saw the United goalie make a comeback.
Gambia crashed out of the tournament after losing all three of their Group C gamesCredit: AFP
A handball denied Gambia to equalise in the final moments of the gameCredit: Sky Sports More