Posts Tagged ‘Cedric Kante’

SFG’s Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament

Posted: February 13, 2012 by Salim Masoud Said in African Cup of Nations 2012, African Football
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The excellent performers from the greatest tournament of all-time, ladies and gentlemen:

Kennedy Mweene (Zambia)

Although he was one of the most eccentric goalkeepers at the tournament, Mweene was – paradoxically – a calming presence to his team-mates, his confidence unflappable even when he flapped at crosses or had nervy moments. He was brave when he came out to collect or punch balls which were lofted into the box and his distribution was one of the best in the tournament.

Jean-Jacques Gosso (Ivory Coast)

Coming into the tournament, Gosso was barely a kitchen appliance name in an Ivory Coast squad filled with household names. Usually a defensive midfielder, he was deployed as a makeshift right-back due to fitness concerns over Emmanuel Eboue. It’s easy to understand why he was deployed there – his combative style often saw him come out on top in one-on-one duels and he joined in the Elephants’ attacks with forward runs of sheer doggedness, even though, understandably, his positioning was questionable.

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Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Round-Up: Day 4

Posted: January 25, 2012 by jameseugene in African Cup of Nations 2012, African Football
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Day 4 provided us with matches from contenders of Group D, where favourites Ghana took on Botswana; while the 2nd game was played by Mali and Guinea.

Ghana 1-0 Botswana
Being Risk-Averse Is A Dangerous Way To Play

The first half depicted a solid display from the minnows, Botswana. They were more focused their defending rather than their attacking, allowing Ghana to dominate possession in the opening moments of the game. They were punished for their risk-averse approach after 24 minutes, when a momentary lapse in their solid display had allowed John Mensah to solidly knee the ball into the net after they failed to get rid of the ball from a corner.
This risk-averse behavior has been observed in other matches, but it goes to show that the old cliche “attack is the best form of defence” is the best method to adopt in these games, as long as you have a solid, organised defence to help prevent counter-attacks from the opposition. Botswana were unlucky (or Ghana were lucky, even) to have a header, after a lovely burst and cross down the wing, expertly cleared off the line by Boye. If that had gone in then Ghana would have had to step up a gear in order to penetrate the solid Botswana defence again.

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