Africa Cup of Nations

ANDRE ONANA reportedly had to be calmed down by El Hadji Diouf after his nightmare journey to join the Cameroon squad for their Afcon opener.The Manchester United goalkeeper had travelled 5,000 miles in less than 24 hours to make it in time for his side’s opener, only to be left out of the matchday squad entirely.
Andre Onana was left out of the Cameroon squad to face Guinea despite facing a gruelling journey to get there in timeCredit: Instagram
Former Senegal and Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf reportedly had to calm Onana downCredit: PA
The pair were filmed in deep discussionsCredit: X @LRKABEYA
Onana had delayed his journey out to meet up with the rest of the Cameroon squad in order to play in Man Utd’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
But after doing his bit in helping the Red Devils secure a 2-2 draw he then headed straight for the airport to join up with his Cameroon teammates in time for their match against Guinea.
And despite a hellish journey – that saw him travel an extra 150 miles by car due to weather concerns – Onana arrived at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in time for kick off.
But it didn’t matter as the 27-year-old was informed he would be sitting out the game with Fabrice Ondoa starting in goal instead and both Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu named as the substitute keepers.
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It is reported by the Daily Mail that Onana was left frustrated at his omission from the squad and Senegal legend Diouf was forced to intervene to calm him down.
It is said that Onana could be heard shouting: “If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, then why did I come here on a private jet?”.
And footage of Diouf showed the former Liverpool and Bolton man chatting to a seemingly pent up Onana at the stadium.
Without his contribution Cameroon only managed a draw in their first game of the tournament.
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Rigobert Song’s side shared the points with Guinea in a 1-1 draw despite playing against 10 men for the entirety of the second half.
Onana will be hoping he is more involved when Cameroon face Afcon holders Senegal on Friday.
But may be left out once again by boss Song after he missed Cameroon’s pre-championship game against Zambia to assist United in a 2-0 FA Cup third-round win against Wigan last week.
Onana’s international duties leave Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag with his number two Altay Bayindir until he returns from the Ivory Coast.
Onana flew out late to join his teammates after staying with Man Utd in order to face Tottenham on SundayCredit: Getty More

ALGERIA striker Baghdad Bounedjah might have scored the Africa Cup of Nations Goal of the Tournament – but it does not count. Bounedjah opened the lead against Angola in the Afcon group stage match in the Ivory Coast.
Baghdad Bounedjah saw his bicycle kick ruled out for offside

And he thought he had doubled his lead after perfectly taking down the ball from a cross before bicycle kicking his volley into the net.
But replays revealed Bounedjah – who plays for Qatari side Al Sadd – was well offside when the cross was played to him.
It meant one of the tournament’s all-time great goals was chalked off – much to the heartbreak of fans.
One said: “IF ONLY…”
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Another added: “Watching this live, this was breathtaking. So sad such an amazing moment won’t even make a highlight reel.”
One agreed: “That was beautiful, shame it was off.”
Another fumed: “This offside pain me pass because what a goal!”
The disallowed effort came back to haunt Bounedjah and Algeria as Mabululu’s leveller from the spot on 68 minutes saw the points shared.
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Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi said after the game: “This is not the result we expected. We were expecting to have three points.
“We tried our best and didn’t want to lose the game so we did what we can do to get a point which was necessary. 
“We were suppose to do better in the second half but we can also talk about the moments we did well.
“We have identified our weakness as we didn’t defend very well for us to concede the penalty which was a big mistake.
“We are in a transitional period so we try for this team to work together and we have also learnt lessons from this game for our remaining games.” More

ROBERTO LOPES is starring for Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations after being called up via LinkedIn.The Shamrock Rovers defender was first approached by the national team in 2018.
Roberto Lopes, centre, received an international call-up via LinkedInCredit: Sportsfile
The defender is now starring for Cape Verde at his second Africa Cup of NationsCredit: Sportsfile
Then manager Rui Aguas reached out to Lopes, who is eligible for Cape Verde through his dad, on LinkedIn.
The Dublin-born centre-back made his debut the following year and now has 19 caps to his name.
He is also a part of the Blue Sharks’ Afcon squad after playing at the previous edition in 2022.
Ahead of the 2022 tournament, he told Sky Sports: “I started the account for college years ago and used it sparingly.
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“You would get these spam messages and I just thought this was another one. Thankfully, he wrote back in English. That is what set me off on this incredible adventure.”
On his journey in international football, Lopes added: “I am going to places that I would never have gone to on holiday.
“Seeing the appreciation they have for what they have, it has opened my mind. I am eager now to try new things.
“I am so eager to learn the language and the culture, learn about Africa as a continent.”
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Dublin-born Lopes is eligible for Cape Verde through his dadCredit: Sportsfile
The former Irish under-19 international played all four of Cape Verde’s matches as they reached the round of 16 two years ago.
He also started Sunday’s tournament opener against Ghana as his side snatched a dramatic late victory thanks to a 92nd minute winner.
Cape Verde, whose squad includes former Manchester United winger Bebe, will also take on Mozambique and Egypt during the group stage.
At club level, Lopes has been with Shamrock Rovers since 2017, making 241 appearances for the club, including several as captain.
The 31-year-old has also won four league titles and an Irish Cup since joining the Hoops from Bohemians seven years ago.
The 31-year-old plays his club football in Ireland for Shamrock RoversCredit: Sportsfile More

ANTOINE SEMENYO intends to elbow his way on to the global stage after learning the dirty arts in Bath.The exciting winger has helped transform Bournemouth’s season by taking on defences with his searing pace and strong runs.
Antoine Semenyo is hoping he can fire Ghana to Afcon gloryCredit: Rex
And Semenyo, 23, is ready to light up the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast this month with Ghana.
The Black Stars, managed by Chris Hughton, face Cape Verde in their first group match tomorrow.
On the eve of the tournament, Semenyo suggested his bruising non-league loan days had conditioned him for the task ahead.
Semenyo, who was loaned out to Bath City by Bristol City in 2018, revealed: “That was one of the toughest parts of my career.
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“As an 18-year-old getting elbowed every week, it builds you. As you step up, you realise the quality gets better, so you have to step up another level.
“Every loan I learnt and it got tougher as it went on and that was so beneficial for me.”
Semenyo also had loan spells at Newport and Sunderland before the Cherries paid Bristol City £10million for the player last January.
But it was his gladiatorial days with the Bath “Romans” in the sixth tier which made him battle-hardened.
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Semenyo said: “I think it builds you, character-wise, playing in the National League.
“The first five games there I struggled so much because everyone else was so experienced.
“I had all the physical attributes. I knew I could get on the ball and get past players, but they used their bodies well and were a lot smarter.
“They had the tendency to read what I was doing before I had even done it, so it was all about taking bits and bobs from the older players I was playing with and adding that to my game.
“Now, I can use my body well and if the defender’s stepping one way, I go the other — it’s just little things like that.
“Those loans definitely helped me and I’ve come a long way.”
Semenyo is as happy as Larry to play for his country … his dad Larry played in the Ghana Premier League but didn’t quite make the national side.
The Cherries star went on: “Ghana is beautiful and football is everything, so I am glad to be representing them.
“For my family, too, it’s everything. My dad dreamed to play for Ghana, so I’m living that dream for him.
“Hopefully, God willing, there are many more caps to go because it means so much to me.”
Semenyo can always rely on dad and younger brother Jai, who plays for Cardiff, for support.
He added: “Whenever I’m down or I’m struggling he always gives me advice and that’s the same with my brother Jai.
“They’ve always got my back and, even when things are going great, they have my best interests at heart.”
Semenyo scored his first Premier League goal in a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in August, when a certain Mo Salah was on the scoresheet for Liverpool.
The pair will go head-to-head again next week when Ghana meet Egypt.
Semenyo shed tears when he scored Ghana’s winning goal in an Afcon qualifier against Angola in front of his old man.
He recalls: “I remember looking up and seeing my dad in the crowd and I saw him celebrating with all his uncles.
“I had tears in my eyes because it was such a great moment.
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“I want to keep reliving those feelings because it’s great scoring for your country because I never thought I’d ever be doing that.”
Watch this week’s brilliant episode of the Tap In – SunSport’s exclusive new football show.
Antoine Semenyo has been capped eight times by GhanaCredit: Getty More