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      Armed police ‘called in to contain angry journalists’ after Chris Hughton’s Ghana suffer Afcon humiliation

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      ARMED cops were called in to deal with fuming Ghanaian journalists with the country on the brink of an early Africa Cup of Nations exit.The Black Stars were leading Mozambique by two goals in stoppage time before an incredible collapse.
      Ghanaian journalists raged after finding out their team tried to avoid media dutiesCredit: @SaddickAdams
      Armed police were sent down to control the situationCredit: @SaddickAdams
      Ghana first gave away a penalty and then conceded from a corner in the 94th minute.
      Chris Hughton’s side now need several results to go their way in order to make it through to the knockout stages.
      Ghana have failed to win a match at three consecutive Afcons.
      With most accepting they are out this year’s tournament, angry journalists went downstairs at Alassane Ouattara Stadium to interrogate the manager and players.
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      Reporter Saddick Adams claims media workers waited over an hour before suddenly realising the Ghana flops were not going to turn up.
      The team bus reportedly “strategically parked at the entrance of the dressing room” with players ready to make a quick escape.
      Barricades were then erected to create a path for the Ghana stars to get to the bus.
      But the journalists were having none of it, refusing to move and stopping security from bringing the players out their dressing room.
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      As tempers flared, armed cops were called in to help deal with the situation.
      Media staff stood their ground and the players eventually had to walk past them.
      The team got booed and “unpleasant words” were exchanged.
      Adams insists: “Nobody was ready to harm anyone and nobody vandalised any bus.
      “We have tolerated this for far too long. This team was built with the toil and sweat of a few honest and dedicated individuals. We won’t allow a few to destroy it. Today, we will show them our anger.”
      After the game, ex-Brighton and Newcastle boss Hughton said: “I take responsibility for this performance and admit my results with the Black Stars have not been good enough.”
      Crazy stoppage time comeback…
      Ghana looked to be cruising 2-0 up against Mozambique and set to sneak through to the last 16 after losing their first game to Cape Verde and drawing their second with Egypt.
      Suddenly, the ref pointed to the spot as the ball hit ex-Prem star Andre Ayew’s outstretched arm.
      Geny Catamo converted the spot-kick and then in the 94th minute goalkeeper Richard Ofori made a huge error.
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      The ball was bouncing out for a goal-kick when he tried to keep the ball in – only for it to hit his hand and go behind for a corner.
      It gave Mozambique one last chance to load the box and they were rewarded as Reinildo Mandava’s looping header dropped into the net to break Ghana hearts.
      Ghana’s goalkeeper Richard Ofori made a mistake that led to the equaliserCredit: AFP
      Ghana have been sent home early from the Afcon againCredit: AFP More

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      Former Premier League and Ghana boss Chris Hughton all but out of Afcon after ‘most unnecessary mistake ever seen’

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      GHANA are heading out of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to a baffling gaffe from goalkeeper Richard Ofori.The Black Stars are set to exit at the group stage after failing to win in three matches against Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique.
      Richard Ofori had a moment to forget against MozambiqueCredit: AFP
      Reinildo Mandava’s late equaliser means Ghana are heading out of AfconCredit: AP
      Ghana’s head coach Chris Hughton looks on during the game against MozambiqueCredit: AP

      They were minutes away from picking up a vital three points against Mozambique and would have done so if not for a big blunder from Ofori.
      Former West Ham star Jordan Ayew scored twice from the penalty spot to give Ghana a 2-0 lead, before Geny Catamo pulled one back from 12 yards in stoppage time.
      That meant there was time for late heartbreak as Reinildo Mandava jumped highest at the back post to steer a header into the top corner to equalise.
      However Mozambique only won the corner thanks to an incredible lapse in concentration from Ofori, who plays for Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
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      Mozambique star Mexer sliced an effort from outside the box that was bouncing harmlessly out of play – before Ofori intervened.
      The keeper appeared to try to catch the ball before being caught in two minds, leading him to instead palm out the ball for a corner.
      Fans could scarcely believe what they were watching as one reacted saying: “This tournament is quality.”
      Another added: “The most unnecessary mistake ever seen.”
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      A third wrote: “Should have caught it to be certain. Zero situational awareness displayed here.”
      And another commented: “The way he puts his hands up too I’m crying man😭”
      Pressure is now mounting on Ghana boss Chris Hughton who has overseen just four wins from 13 games.
      Ghana were expected to qualify from their Afcon group as the 11th ranked African side in the world, while they are 50 places above Mozambique in the world rankings.
      Meanwhile Mo Salah’s injury which he picked up playing for Egypt has now been revealed to be far worse than first thought. More

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      Africa Cup of Nations chaos as Morocco star chases opponent and brawl breaks out in tunnel before ace racially abused

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      CONGO’S ex-Prem star Chancel Mbemba was racially abused on social media after a row with Morocco’s manager Walid Regragui sparked a huge brawl in their Afcon clash.The two African nations drew 1-1 in an ill-tempered match in the Ivory Coast after Congolese ace Silas cancelled out Achraf Hakimi’s early opener.
      An angry brawl ensued at the Africa Cup of Nations clash between Congo and MoroccoCredit: AP
      Congo’s Chancel Mbemba tackles Youssef En-Nesyri before their post-match fall-out
      Morocco star Youssef En-Nesyri chased Mbemba down the tunnel
      But a brawl followed at full-time when Mbemba and Regragui collided following an angry exchange at Afcon.
      Footage showed members of both teams pushing each other after the final whistle.
      According to AP, the Moroccan manager sought ex-Newcastle ace Mbemba – who played for the Toon between 2015 and 2018 – when the centre-back appeared to be praying on his knees.
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      The Marseille star took the 48-year-old tactician’s hand and clapped him on the back in what appeared to be a a friendly exchange.
      But Regragui kept hold of the 29-year-old’s hand and carried on talking to him.
      The Congo international angrily pulled his hand away and gestured towards the video referee before players from both sides jumped in.
      But that wasn’t the end of it as the fracas continued when the defender made his way down the tunnel.
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      Morocco star Youssef En-Nesyri angrily ran towards Mbemba and team-mate Yassine Bounou tied to hold him back.
      Players from both teams chased after En-Nesyri to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.
      After the game, Mbemba was racially abused on Instagram as yobs replied to his latest posts with monkey and gorilla emojis and added some vile statements.
      The Congo captain decided against addressing the full version of events but praised Regragui as he called him a “great man”.
      Mbemba said: “I respect the coach who is a great man. The TV cut the videos, but I have them. I don’t need to swing them.
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      “I keep my silence, it’s better, that’s how I am. Everyone knows me, I respect everyone, I don’t need to shoot anyone but God’s justice is there.”
      Regragui, who led Morocco to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and made them the first ever African side to reach the semi-finals, offered his version of events.
      The former Toulouse player told L’Equipe: “I said to [Congo manager Sebastien] Desabre: ‘Bring him back to me, he’s going crazy, he’s talking nonsense’. I didn’t like it because it insinuates a lot of things.
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      “So if he has images other than what we see on television, let him take them out, with pleasure. And he’ll see exactly what happened.
      “And that’s what happened… Before I went to shake his hand, he took me and my assistant to task on the sidelines before the end of the game, he spoke badly to us. And Desabre knows it.”
      Morocco coach Walid Regragui during the game against Congo More

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      Egypt confirm Mo Salah has returned to Liverpool as they reveal striker’s targeted return date after Afcon injury

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      EGYPT have confirmed Mo Salah is returning to Liverpool for rehab after picking up an injury at the Africa Cup of Nations.The 31-year-old went down hurt and was substituted in the first-half of Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday.
      Mo Salah picked up an injury against Ghana on ThursdayCredit: AP
      He watched on at a Egypt training session today but is now returning to Liverpool for treatmentCredit: AFP
      Salah suffered a hamstring injury and has since undergone scans.
      And Egypt confirmed Salah was flying back to England, releasing a statement that read: “The Egyptian FA announces that Salah will now travel to England to receive treatment with the hope that he will join the Egyptian national team if it qualifies for the semi-finals.”
      Salah will miss Egypt’s game against Cape Verde and their following two knockout matches should they make it out of their group.
      The final is not until February 11.
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      The Pharaohs drew their opening two games of Afcon and need a win on Monday to seal their place in the last 16.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp had already confirmed Salah’s return to the club prior to Egypt’s statement.
      When asked if he could still head back to the tournament, the Reds boss said: “If he is fit before the final then probably yes.
      “That’s the plan. If that’s already decided 100 per cent, I don’t know. But that’s the plan.
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      “I think probably everybody sees it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us or with our people.
      “That’s the plan. But if it’s written in stone already, I don’t know.”
      After Salah sustained the problem, the manager said: “I spoke last night with him and how it is with these injuries — you need further assessment.
      “That’s what they are doing now and then we will know more.
      “Of course it was in that moment a shock: ‘Oh my God, what is it?’ 
      “You have these kinds of hamstring injuries in a different way but he  felt it.
      “And we all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off, so there is definitely something and we will see.”
      Jurgen Klopp also confirmed Salah had returned to LiverpoolCredit: AP More

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      ‘This can’t be real’ – Man Utd star Andre Onana spotted giving team-mate advice seconds before shambolic moment at Afcon

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      ANDRE ONANA was spotted advising one of his Cameroon team-mates moments before a shambolic free kick at Afcon.The under-pressure Manchester United keeper ran all the way into the opposition half in the 65th of their match with Senegal to give some words of wisdom to Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
      Andre Onana was between the sticks for Cameroon in the Afcon clash with SenegalCredit: AFP
      The Manchester United keeper ran into Senegal’s half to give Georges-Kevin N’Koudou some advice before his 65th-minute free kickCredit: SKY SPORTS
      N’Koudou’s delivery went straight out of playCredit: SKY SPORTS
      Onana placed his hands on the back and hip of the former Tottenham man and seemingly appeared to give him some instructions as he prepared to put the ball into the box.
      N’Koudou’s delivery from deep in the Senegalese half was a disastrous one, with the floated ball failing to come anywhere near a team-mate and piddling out of play.
      Afcon watchers were quick to comment, with one saying: “What advice could Onana possibly have had???”
      Another said with a series of laughing emojis: “This can’t be real.”
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      And another said: “Onana advice still no work.”
      One remarked: “Obviously the advice seemed bad.”
      Another chimed in: “Onana is not good at anything even advising someone.”
      One stunned viewer even said: “[This] guy is a comedian.”
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      Andre Onana and his Cameroon team-mates are at risk of being dumped out of AfconCredit: Getty
      Senegal ended up running out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Isamaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and former Liverpool hitman Sadio Mane.
      Cameroon are in danger of being dumped out of the tournament as they’re winless in their first two matches and currently sitting in third place in Group D.
      They must beat Gambia on Tuesday and hope that Senegal comfortably beat Guinea to secure automatic qualification to the last-16.
      Should they be prematurely dumped out of the tournament, Onana could be back in goal for Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Newport County next Sunday. More

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      Greece boss Gus Poyet reveals return date for injured Liverpool ace in big boost for Jurgen Klopp after Mo Salah injury

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      LIVERPOOL ace Kostas Tsimikas will be back in action by March 21, according to Greece manager Gus Poyet.Tsimikas suffered a broken collar bone during last month’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League.
      Liverpool star Kostas Tsimikas will be back from injury on March 21Credit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Tsimikas suffered a broken collarbone last monthCredit: Reuters
      A touchline tangle between the left-back and Bukayo Saka ten minutes before the break sent the former crashing into the Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp who went down with his player.
      The 27-year-old, who was filling in for Andy Robertson who’s also injured, was immediately taken to hospital where the extent of his injury was confirmed.
      However, Poyet is confident the Greece international will be back in two months at the latest.
      In fact, Tsimikas will be fighting fit for Greece’s crucial Euro 2024 play-off semi-final clash against Kazakhstan at OPAP Arena.
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      And if Ethniki make it past Magomed Adiyev’s side then the Greek star will also compete in the final on March 26 at either Luxembourg or Georgia.
      The Chelsea and Tottenham legend added that the ex-Olympiacos star is “very happy with the progression” of his rehabilitation, which is going faster than expected.
      Poyet told SunSport on behalf of William Hill: Yes, for sure [Tsimikas will play against Kazakhstan].
      “If nothing goes wrong now Tsimi is going to be back very, very soon. He’s very happy with the progression, it’s going quicker than expected.
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      “It’s typical, that when they put a range of six to eight weeks or four to six weeks.
      “For Tsimi it’s [always] going to be the shortest one, which is fantastic.
      “Obviously, then it depends on how much he will play. But, you know, I’m in contact with him and I’m sure he’s going to be available.”
      This poses as a major boost for Liverpool boss Klopp, who is currently dealing with a major injury headache.
      Tsimikas’ close friend Mohamed Salah limped off the pitch during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday at the Africa Cup of Nations.
      The Egyptian FA announced that Salah suffered a hamstring strain and will miss his country’s next two matches.
      As a result, the winger is ruled out of their final group match against Cape Verde as well as the Round of 16, if they qualify.
      Greece manager Gus Poyet said Tsimikas will compete in the Euro 2024 play-offsCredit: AFP More

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      Mo Salah injury update as Liverpool star could miss rest of Egypt’s Afcon with Jurgen Klopp sweating on hamstring issue

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      MOHAMED SALAH’S Africa Cup of Nations could be over after he suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana.The Liverpool forward left the field injured on Thursday as Egypt played out a 2-2 draw.
      Mohamed Salah’s Africa Cup of Nations could be overCredit: Getty
      The Egyptian FA have now announced that Salah suffered a hamstring strain and will miss his country’s next two matches.
      As a result, he is ruled out of their final group match against Cape Verde as well as the round of 16, if they qualify.
      Egypt are second in group B after drawing their first two matches, and now need a win in the final fixture to guarantee progression.
      However, they will now have to do so without their star man, against a side that has already won the group.
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      Salah, who scored a stoppage time penalty against Mozambique on Sunday, appeared to fight back tears as he left the pitch against Ghana.
      He was forced off on the stroke of half-time after receiving treatment on the pitch.
      Fans had been hopeful Salah would be able to play Egypt’s next match, though.
      The 31-year-old was spotted smiling as he left the stadium following the match.
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      Unfortunately for Egypt and Salah, however, his tournament could now be over if they do not reach the last eight.
      Reds boss Jurgen Klopp admitted he went into a state of “shock” when he saw his star man go down.
      And Liverpool’s boss has not ruled out flying the club’s own medical team to Africa Cup of Nations host country Ivory Coast to treat his star.
      Klopp said: “I spoke last night with him and how it is with these injuries — you need further assessment. That’s what they are doing now and then we will know more.
      “Of course it was in that moment a shock: ‘Oh my God, what is it?’.  You have these kinds of hamstring injuries in a different way but he  felt it.
      “And we all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off, so there is definitely something and we will see.”
      If Egypt crash out after Monday’s group finale, then Salah will be back on Merseyside by next week.
      An Anfield medical team is now on standby. Asked whether the Reds will send their own experts, Klopp said: “There will be an ultrasound and they will do an MRI.
      “Then we will know what  it is and we will see what Egypt plans. But it’s too early to say.”
      The forward will miss the round of 16 if Egypt qualifyCredit: Getty More

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      Afcon coach SACKED just one game into tournament after being banned from touchline for furious rant

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      TANZANIA have sacked manager Adel Amrouche after just ONE GAME in the Africa Cup of Nations.Amrouche landed himself on hot water after his team’s 3-0 thrashing to Morocco at the Ivory Coast.
      Tanzania fired manager Adel Amrouce after one game in the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: AFP
      Amrouche was suspended by CAF and Tanzania after a rant at MoroccoCredit: AP
      According to Sportstar, the Algerian tactician claimed the Atlas Lions held too much sway in African football and were influencing the appointment of referees.
      That led to an eight-match ban from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee after a complaint was launched from Moroccan chiefs.
      Tanzania’s football federation soon followed suit by initially suspending the 55-year-old following the incident.
      But ultimately the African nation decided to fire Amrouche after just 10 months.
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      Tanzania placed Hemed Morocco as acting coach and Juma Mgunda as his assistant.
      Amrouche only managed a total of nine match with the African outfit, winning three.
      And he entered this month’s Afcon in the Ivory Coast looking to make history by securing Tanzania’s first win in the tournament.
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      But the opening game against tournament favourites Morocco proved to be his last.
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      The Moroccans picked up a smooth victory with goals by ex-Wolves ace Romain Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri.
      Tanzania are now facing two crucial matches in the group stage against Zambia and Congo without their boss. More