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AFCON 21/22

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Binder Dundat

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Jan 5, 2022, 12:04:31 AM1/5/22
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I guess the Afcon cup is not the favourite continental cup of most clubs, especially in Europe, MLS is probably OK with the AFCON.

If you dont know anything about the African Cup of Nations, it was always won by Egypt, I think they won all but two of the previous AFCONs. I wont go too deep into the whole thing, but it is being played in Cameroon, starts this Sunday and the favourites are Senegal and Algeria.

Nation BetMGM
Senegal +250
Algeria +275
Egypt +275
Ivory Coast +325
Morocco +400
Nigeria +350
Cameroon +350
Tunisia +800
Ghana +700
Mali +1100

I think this is the first time they are doing 24 countries, which means 16 teams qualify for the knock out round. It also means the Gambia qualified, that is a first.

Group A Cameroon (-200) Burkina Faso (+300) Cape Verde (+500) Ethiopia (+2500)
Group B Senegal (-550) Guinea (+500) Zimbabwe (+1600) Malawi (+2200)
Group C Morocco (-145) Ghana (+180) Gabon (+550) Comoros (+4000)
Group D Egypt (-145) Nigeria (+115) Guinea-Bissau (+2200) Sudan (+4000)
Group E Algeria (-200) Ivory Coast (+150) Equ. Guinea (+3300) Sierra Leone (+4000)
Group F Tunisia (-185) Mali (+150) Gambia (+2000) Mauritania (+3300)

In my opinion, with my lack of knowledge of the teams, I think Cameroon as host, have to be a favourite, I think only Cameroon and Egypt have ever won the AFCON, not to mention having a certain ace goal poacher in Choupo Motting. OK, OK, Cameroon have no chance. In the past the hosts have won every single AFCON.

My personal pick is Morocco and it is based on me watching a young, impressive Morocco team 5 some years ago.

Lets just hope this does not start like the Ice hockey WC, with a bunch of teams having to forfeit games due to covid and the thing being shut down after the first 4 days.

Mark

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Jan 6, 2022, 12:11:33 PM1/6/22
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It will be 1 of the following teams that win it:

Cameroon
Algeria
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Egypt
Tunisia
Senegal
Ghana

Real Mardin

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Jan 6, 2022, 1:40:34 PM1/6/22
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On Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 5:04:31 AM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
All games live on Sky Sports in the UK which shows how far this tournament has come on terms of desirability to broadcasters. Will try to watch some of this, sadly the opening match clashes with Galatasaray v Giresunspor, which isn’t ideal.

There will apparently be fans in attendance and going by the official figures there are no Covid cases in Cameroon (can that be right?) so as long as ticket prices are reasonable hopefully some good atmospheres. Unfortunately the last one of these I watched was when they hosted it in Egypt and were charging more than the average person could afford for a ticket. End result was unless Egypt were playing the stadium was empty. It was like ghost football before the term had been heard of.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 7, 2022, 5:18:49 PM1/7/22
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Apparently it's not the Galatasaray game but Nottingham Forest v Arsenal in the FA Cup which the opening AFCON game clashes with. Still, it's a shame the matches are on at the same time as matches in Europe.

All that aside, given I've had an affinity toward them since their glorious run at Italia 90 - Allez Les Lions Indomptables!

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 7, 2022, 5:21:03 PM1/7/22
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After watching today's Ghost Game, I just hpe they fill the 60% quota they are allowing.

Real Mardin

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Jan 9, 2022, 7:44:36 AM1/9/22
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Ok, so I looked back and a problem with the Egypt AFCON was nearly half the population at the time lived off $2 a day but the cheapest ticket was $6 (with there being two more expensive categories).

It seems the average daily wage in Cameroon is about 3500 CFA Francs per month (about $6 per day).

AFCON tickets went on sale earlier this week, with prices ranging from 3000 CFA to 20000 depending on the category and stage of competition.

So the cheapest tickets are proportionally more affordable to the average person but the more expensive tickets are still priced at quite a few times more than the daily wage.

So I'm guessing this points to something similar to Egypt - capacity or near capacity crowds when the home team plays (or perhaps another big name for continent such as Nigeria or Egypt), probably pretty empty grounds if any other team is playing. Hope I'm wrong though.

For Covid security reasons capacities have been restricted to 80% for the Cameroon matches and 60% for all other matches.

Anyway, just over three hours until kickoff!


RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 9, 2022, 11:59:17 AM1/9/22
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HT in the opening game:

Cameroon 2 - Burkina Faso 1

Burkina Faso took the lead very much against the run of play when Sangare got on the end of a deflected header to guide the ball in at the far post.

Both Cameroon goals from Aboubakar, both penalties. The first was a VAR review where the only mystery was how on Earth the ref, who seemed to have a perfectly good and close view of the incident, didn't notice the ice hockey style body check by Traore on the Cameroon number 8 the first time round. The second one was for quite a meaty challenge, albeit after the ball had been played.

The team sheet had Burkina Faso lining up in 2-4-4 (yes, two defenders!) formation but although they did start that way the formation seems more fluid with the wide midfielders dropping back to make a back four when required. Likewise the supposed four strikers are often dropping back to bolster the midfield.

The Olembe stadium looks great, not sure if they're at the 80% capacity but it looks pretty full. I do love to see a running track around the pitch, it takes me back to watching tournaments of old. With the colours of the home team it just looks so bright and vibrant too. Why can't European teams play in such vibrant colours?


RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 9, 2022, 12:57:09 PM1/9/22
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On Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 4:59:17 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:

> HT in the opening game:
>
> Cameroon 2 - Burkina Faso 1
>
> Burkina Faso took the lead very much against the run of play when Sangare got on the end of a deflected header to guide the ball in at the far post.
>
> Both Cameroon goals from Aboubakar, both penalties. The first was a VAR review where the only mystery was how on Earth the ref, who seemed to have a perfectly good and close view of the incident, didn't notice the ice hockey style body check by Traore on the Cameroon number 8 the first time round. The second one was for quite a meaty challenge, albeit after the ball had been played.
>
> The team sheet had Burkina Faso lining up in 2-4-4 (yes, two defenders!) formation but although they did start that way the formation seems more fluid with the wide midfielders dropping back to make a back four when required. Likewise the supposed four strikers are often dropping back to bolster the midfield.
>
> The Olembe stadium looks great, not sure if they're at the 80% capacity but it looks pretty full. I do love to see a running track around the pitch, it takes me back to watching tournaments of old. With the colours of the home team it just looks so bright and vibrant too. Why can't European teams play in such vibrant colours?
>
>
> RM

Full time score:

Cameroon 2 - Burkina Faso 1

Burkina Faso had two good chances early on in the second half which the Cameroon keeper Onana denied with reflex saves.

Cameroon had the ball in the net a third time when the ball was bundled into the net on a counter attack where the keeper parried into the path of an oncoming attacker who put the ball in the net, but after the longest VAR review ever it was ruled out - not entirely sure why as they didn't provide a replay - probably offside?

All in all a decent opening game and so good to hear the chrous of vuvuzelas back at a football game!

RM



Real Mardin

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Jan 9, 2022, 1:01:27 PM1/9/22
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Next up tonight is Ethiopia v Cape Verde, also at the Olembe Stadium.

Many of the AFCON group stage games are done as double headers in the same ground. In the cheapest category you can buy a single ticket for 3000 CFA or a ticket to both matches for 4000, so it'll be interesting to see how many fans stop on for the second match of the night.


RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 9, 2022, 4:02:38 PM1/9/22
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Full time score:

Ethiopia 0 - Cape Verde 1

The Olembe Stadium was considerably emptier for today's second match, so looks like not too many took up the 4000 CFA "double header" ticket offer. Still, it wasn't exactly "ghost football" and there were enough people with vuvuzelas in attendance to give this something of an atmosphere.

As a contest the match was basically spoiled by an early sending off for Ethiopia arising from a VAR review which nobody really needed. Yes, the Ethiopian did indeed take out the Cape Verde attacker when through on goal, but the review didn't come until Garry Rodrigues had already taken the free kick and placed it beyond the keeper and into the net in a shot Beckham or Hagi would have been proud of. However, seemingly the ref was too preoccupied with listening to the VAR instructions to blow the whistle, what would have been an impressive opening goal didn't stand, and the game was then imbalanced by the sending off. I'm sure if you asked Cape Verde whether they'd have rather let the goal stand and play against 11 or lose the goal and play against 10 they'd have gone for the former?

Anyway, Ethiopia didn't trouble Cape Verde after that and the winning goal for Cape Verde came just before half time when Garry Rodgrigues showed remarkable balance to meet a lose ball by volleying in a short cross to Julio Tavares to score from close range.


RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 9, 2022, 5:29:49 PM1/9/22
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Unfortunately technical difficulties and me driving back to the city made me miss a lot the action today. But yeah BEIN sports was having an issue playing the game on ROKU, so I actually was watching on one of the shady Firestick apps, which also was suffering from technical difficulties, either that or my shitty satellite internet at the cottage was the problem, supposedly my Starlink is being delivered any day now and I will have internet that does not cut out every 5 minutes.

But anyhow, from what I saw, I dont think it was against the run of play as much as the commentators were saying. Sure Cameroon had the ball more, but it was not like it was one way traffic.

>
> Both Cameroon goals from Aboubakar, both penalties. The first was a VAR review where the only mystery was how on Earth the ref, who seemed to have a perfectly good and close view of the incident, didn't notice the ice hockey style body check by Traore on the Cameroon number 8 the first time round. The second one was for quite a meaty challenge, albeit after the ball had been played.

For the first pk, my initial thought in real time was PK, but the more I saw of the replays, the less sure I was, but I had no problem with the VARobots on giving the pk. The second pk seemed a good call as well, though I seem to recall Cameroon got away with one at the start of the 2nd half.


>
> The team sheet had Burkina Faso lining up in 2-4-4 (yes, two defenders!) formation but although they did start that way the formation seems more fluid with the wide midfielders dropping back to make a back four when required. Likewise the supposed four strikers are often dropping back to bolster the midfield.
>
> The Olembe stadium looks great, not sure if they're at the 80% capacity but it looks pretty full. I do love to see a running track around the pitch, it takes me back to watching tournaments of old. With the colours of the home team it just looks so bright and vibrant too. Why can't European teams play in such vibrant colours?

Not sure it was 80% but a good crowd and though the audio kept cutting out, I thought that I heard the Vuvazelas. I am not sure Cameroon will win this thing, but then again Senegal have lost some key players already to Covid, so it may be one of those war of attrition type cups?

From the highlights I saw of the 2nd game, it was quite empty, not like a ghost game, but very low attendance. One assumes not a lot of travelling fans with the covid situation?

Hopefully tomorrow BEIN gets their act straightened out and I am at home now, so have proper internet and can actually watch a game with picture and sound.

>
>
> RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 10, 2022, 1:09:13 PM1/10/22
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You suck BEIN Sports. It is not so bad that the app does not work on ROKU, (they claim to be working on it) I can screen mirror from my laptop and I can live with the games being broadcast in Arabic, but today you had two games playing at the same time, Guinea vs Malawi and Morocco vs Ghana and they only broadcast the Guinea v Malawi game. The "big game" did not even get broadcast. This is why people choose to stream illegally.

Guinea and Morocco both won 1-0, earlier Senegal beat Zimbabwe 1-0 with a 94 min pk.

Real Mardin

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Jan 10, 2022, 1:27:40 PM1/10/22
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On Monday, January 10, 2022 at 6:09:13 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> You suck BEIN Sports. It is not so bad that the app does not work on ROKU, (they claim to be working on it) I can screen mirror from my laptop and I can live with the games being broadcast in Arabic, but today you had two games playing at the same time, Guinea vs Malawi and Morocco vs Ghana and they only broadcast the Guinea v Malawi game. The "big game" did not even get broadcast. This is why people choose to stream illegally.
>
> Guinea and Morocco both won 1-0, earlier Senegal beat Zimbabwe 1-0 with a 94 min pk.

Had these on in the background as was working from home, just to keep an eye on the score and the atmosphere really.

With regards the latter, all I will say is thank God for the vuvuzela! Attendance wise these matches were little better than ghost matches but the vuvuzela sound really adds some atmosphere. Still looks a bit rubbish when you turn on the tv for Senegal v Zimbabwe to see a completely empty main stand - but at least we have the music!

RM

Werner Pichler

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Jan 10, 2022, 5:20:12 PM1/10/22
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Can i interest you in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDfjSxR8hlI


Ciao,
Werner

Real Mardin

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Jan 10, 2022, 5:22:56 PM1/10/22
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Ok, fair point - I lasted 21 seconds :(

They add to the atmosphere if watching from the comfort of your living room, less so if you're in the next seat to someone playing one.

RM

The Doctor

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Jan 10, 2022, 6:56:35 PM1/10/22
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In article <19254b74-0e0d-4c60...@googlegroups.com>,
You really want suck, try DAZN.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca Ici doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca
Yahweh, Queen & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism https://www.empire.kred/ROOTNK?t=94a1f39b
Birthdate 29 Jan 1969 Redhill Surrey England Beware https://mindspring.com

Binder Dundat

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Jan 11, 2022, 8:33:20 AM1/11/22
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It is the most freezing cold day of the year, in fact in the last 3 years, -26C this morning, the polar vortex that was in the west has moved east, dogs did not seem to mind the cold though. I doubt I will be going anywhere today, I think I have enough beer to make it until tomorrow?
Day 3 and counting,BEIN still have not fixed the ROKU issue, I get the feeling they wont based on ROKU forums and telephone calls made to BEIN.
Seems like a few more people in the stadium, but still disappointed again with the lack of fans, if not for the Vuvazelas it probably would sound like a ghost game. Here in North America we have always had some form of plastic horn, wooden block or rubber baton kind of noise makers. I know RM made a comment about running tracks already, but I think every stadium in Cameroon has a running track around it.

Reigning champions taking on Sierra Leone, Algeria looking more likely to score, but Sierra Leone keeping it interesting.
0-0 33min

Binder Dundat

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Jan 11, 2022, 10:48:18 AM1/11/22
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And it ended 0-0 a bad result for Algeria, but as long as you win one game you are almost assured to get into the ko round. Though Algeria dominated possession Sierra Leone actually put the ball in the goal (offside).

Next mach is a "big match" (Egypt v Nigeria) and should have more fans in the stadium, I think, if for no other reason than geographical proximity to Cameroon.

Real Mardin

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Jan 11, 2022, 12:45:51 PM1/11/22
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I know I keep saying it but vuvuzelas are saving this tournament, the Japoma Stadium in Douala looked very nice other than it was practically deserted for Algeria v Sierra Leone yet if I closed my eyes those vuvuzelas were making so much noise I could have been watching a cup final. Impressive stuff.

Once again whoever organises this tournament has set the ticket prices way too high for the local economy, a day's wages or more is evidently too much a price to pay to watch a game that doesn't involve Cameroon or a couple of the regional powers. Egypt v Nigeria looks to be fairly well attended but that one seems to have travelling support on both sides and is the African equivalent of something like Germany v France.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 11, 2022, 4:02:38 PM1/11/22
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So four 1-0's yesterday. Today:

Algeria 0 - Sierra Leone 0

Nigeria 1 - Egypt 0

Sudan 0 - Guinea-Bissau 0


It seems it's not just fans who are in absence at this AFCON.


RM

MH

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Jan 11, 2022, 11:56:21 PM1/11/22
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Aren't most of the games at the AFCON traditionally hard fought low
scoring contests ? Seems to me there was one recent with with 3/4
quarter finals going to pens, and teams progressing to the second round
having drawn all three games.


>
>
> RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 12, 2022, 2:44:22 AM1/12/22
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Looking back to 2019, the first round of group games was ( so far) higher scoring, a couple of 2-2 draws, a 4-1, some 2-0s.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 12, 2022, 11:00:15 AM1/12/22
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I seem to recall AFCON's being low scoring, I suppose that means that it is an evenly matched cup.

So not only have there been a lot of 1-0's, most of those goals came from PKs. Nigeria won 1-0 yesterday and more or less cancelled Salah and Egypt from any kind of goal scoring threat in front of a huge (by AFCON standards) crowd, the crowd seemed to mostly be Nigerians and stayed around to watch the next game, without really cheering for either team, but making some noise. Though I forget much of that game, I do recall the worst penalty kick attempt ever by Pele.

The ref was the main attraction in today's game (Tunisia 0 - 1 Mali), blowing at the 85 min for time, before being told games are 90 mins long. Then blowing at the 89 min for time, even though there were subs and stoppages all over the place. Missed penalties and red cards in this one as well.

I suspect Gambia is the worst team in this Comp, so they should concede more than 1 goal in the upcoming game

Binder Dundat

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Jan 12, 2022, 12:07:28 PM1/12/22
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On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 11:00:15 AM UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> I seem to recall AFCON's being low scoring, I suppose that means that it is an evenly matched cup.
>
> So not only have there been a lot of 1-0's, most of those goals came from PKs. Nigeria won 1-0 yesterday and more or less cancelled Salah and Egypt from any kind of goal scoring threat in front of a huge (by AFCON standards) crowd, the crowd seemed to mostly be Nigerians and stayed around to watch the next game, without really cheering for either team, but making some noise. Though I forget much of that game, I do recall the worst penalty kick attempt ever by Pele.
>
> The ref was the main attraction in today's game (Tunisia 0 - 1 Mali), blowing at the 85 min for time, before being told games are 90 mins long. Then blowing at the 89 min for time, even though there were subs and stoppages all over the place. Missed penalties and red cards in this one as well.
>
> I suspect Gambia is the worst team in this Comp, so they should concede more than 1 goal in the upcoming game

Or maybe not. The Gambia, made up of English 4th division players, score first.
For some unknown reason, the match was delayed 45 mins.

Real Mardin

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Jan 12, 2022, 1:20:20 PM1/12/22
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On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 4:00:15 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> I seem to recall AFCON's being low scoring, I suppose that means that it is an evenly matched cup.
>
> So not only have there been a lot of 1-0's, most of those goals came from PKs. Nigeria won 1-0 yesterday and more or less cancelled Salah and Egypt from any kind of goal scoring threat in front of a huge (by AFCON standards) crowd, the crowd seemed to mostly be Nigerians and stayed around to watch the next game, without really cheering for either team, but making some noise. Though I forget much of that game, I do recall the worst penalty kick attempt ever by Pele.
>
> The ref was the main attraction in today's game (Tunisia 0 - 1 Mali), blowing at the 85 min for >time, before being told games are 90 mins long. Then blowing at the 89 min for time, even >though there were subs and stoppages all over the place. Missed penalties and red cards in >this one as well.

The ref finishing the game early, particularly given his attempt to do the same five minutes earlier, was simultaneously one of the funniest and unjust things I’ve seen on a football pitch. Honestly don’t recall ever having seen that in a match before.

That calamity was then followed by the Mauritanian anthem failing repeatedly, with their players eventually being told they might want to just sing the anthem without music.

This AFCON is already the best tournament ever!

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 12, 2022, 1:46:58 PM1/12/22
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On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 1:20:20 PM UTC-5, Real Mardin wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 4:00:15 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > I seem to recall AFCON's being low scoring, I suppose that means that it is an evenly matched cup.
> >
> > So not only have there been a lot of 1-0's, most of those goals came from PKs. Nigeria won 1-0 yesterday and more or less cancelled Salah and Egypt from any kind of goal scoring threat in front of a huge (by AFCON standards) crowd, the crowd seemed to mostly be Nigerians and stayed around to watch the next game, without really cheering for either team, but making some noise. Though I forget much of that game, I do recall the worst penalty kick attempt ever by Pele.
> >
> > The ref was the main attraction in today's game (Tunisia 0 - 1 Mali), blowing at the 85 min for >time, before being told games are 90 mins long. Then blowing at the 89 min for time, even >though there were subs and stoppages all over the place. Missed penalties and red cards in >this one as well.
> The ref finishing the game early, particularly given his attempt to do the same five minutes earlier, was simultaneously one of the funniest and unjust things I’ve seen on a football pitch. Honestly don’t recall ever having seen that in a match before.

I couldnt tell if the ref actually new he had screwed up, all the more worse considering they even had a drinks break due to the high heat, so at least 4-5 mins should have been added. But yeah, Tunisians were furious and he had to get a security escort off the pitch.

>
> That calamity was then followed by the Mauritanian anthem failing repeatedly, with their players eventually being told they might want to just sing the anthem without music.

Ah, that is why it was delayed 45 mins, they had to learn to play the anthem.

>
> This AFCON is already the best tournament ever!
>
> RM
> > I suspect Gambia is the worst team in this Comp, so they should concede more than 1 goal in the upcoming game

The Gambia probably should have scored two or three against Mauritania, but kept to form and kept it 1-0. So yeah, big debut win for them and the 50 or so Gambian fans that came to watch. I believe the Gambia is FIFA ranked around 150. The commentators also got it wrong saying the team is made up of 4th division players, they actually have a lot of Serie A, LA Liga, Ligue une and other Euro 1st division club players

Binder Dundat

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Jan 12, 2022, 4:24:24 PM1/12/22
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On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 1:46:58 PM UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 1:20:20 PM UTC-5, Real Mardin wrote:
> > On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 4:00:15 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > I seem to recall AFCON's being low scoring, I suppose that means that it is an evenly matched cup.
> > >
> > > So not only have there been a lot of 1-0's, most of those goals came from PKs. Nigeria won 1-0 yesterday and more or less cancelled Salah and Egypt from any kind of goal scoring threat in front of a huge (by AFCON standards) crowd, the crowd seemed to mostly be Nigerians and stayed around to watch the next game, without really cheering for either team, but making some noise. Though I forget much of that game, I do recall the worst penalty kick attempt ever by Pele.
> > >
> > > The ref was the main attraction in today's game (Tunisia 0 - 1 Mali), blowing at the 85 min for >time, before being told games are 90 mins long. Then blowing at the 89 min for time, even >though there were subs and stoppages all over the place. Missed penalties and red cards in >this one as well.
> > The ref finishing the game early, particularly given his attempt to do the same five minutes earlier, was simultaneously one of the funniest and unjust things I’ve seen on a football pitch. Honestly don’t recall ever having seen that in a match before.
> I couldnt tell if the ref actually new he had screwed up, all the more worse considering they even had a drinks break due to the high heat, so at least 4-5 mins should have been added. But yeah, Tunisians were furious and he had to get a security escort off the pitch.
> >
> > That calamity was then followed by the Mauritanian anthem failing repeatedly, with their players eventually being told they might want to just sing the anthem without music.
> Ah, that is why it was delayed 45 mins, they had to learn to play the anthem.
> >
> > This AFCON is already the best tournament ever!
And it only gets better

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59876378

Mali and Tunisia's Africa Cup of Nations game finished in chaos after the referee first signalled for full-time on 85 minutes, then ended the match when the clock showed 89 minutes and 47 seconds.

Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff raced on to the field to confront referee Janny Sikazwe after his final whistle consigned them to a 1-0 defeat in Group F.

Twenty minutes later, after Mali manager Mohamed Magassouba's post-match press conference had started, tournament organisers ordered the game to be played to a conclusion.

However, in more farcical scenes, Tunisia's players did not return to the field and Mali were declared winners.

Kebaier called the referee's actions "inexplicable", adding: "He blew for full time and asked us to go to the dressing room, so the players were in their ice baths and then he asked us to come back out.

"In 30 years in this business, I have never seen anything like it."
Confusion reigns in Limbe

At the end of an action-packed second half, which saw two stoppages for video assistant referee checks as well as a drinks break and several substitutions, Sikazwe became the centre of attention.

The Zambian - who refereed two group-stage games at the 2018 World Cup in Russia - had signalled for full-time with five minutes remaining, before checking his timings and continuing the game.

Then he ended the match 23 seconds before the 90th minute mark - and without adding on any additional time for stoppages.

Kebaier and his staff angrily confronted Sikazwe and his assistants on the pitch, pointing to their watches and remonstrating about the lack of added time.
Mondher Kebaier (centre) remonstrates with officials
Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier (centre) took his protests to an assistant after Sikazwe ignored his complaints

The officials were given an escort off the pitch by stadium security as the Malians celebrated in front of their fans, but the controversy did not end there.

More than 20 minutes later, the Malian side ventured back on to the field for the game to restart, with fourth official Helder Martins Rodrigues de Carvalho set to take charge instead of Sikazwe.

After a short time on the pitch he was told to bring the players off again by officials as the North Africans had failed to emerge, and Mali were awarded the victory.

"It is a difficult situation to deal with. The referee also blew with five minutes left in the first half and then he blew after 89 minutes, denying us practically seven or eight minutes of added time," added Kebaier, whose team had an extra man at the end after Mali's El Bilal Toure was sent off.

"His decision is inexplicable. I can't understand how he made his decision and we will see what happens now."

The Confederation of African Football (Caf), organisers of the tournament, will have questions to answer following a farcical ending and Tunisian protests.

"We were told to go back on the pitch because the game was not finished," said Magassouba, who was giving his post-match news conference when an official entered the room to announce the game would restart with three minutes left to play.

"Unfortunately the opposition team did not want to come back out and the final whistle was blown."

Binder Dundat

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Jan 13, 2022, 10:34:19 AM1/13/22
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OK, so first round of game are over and credit to the organizers for keeping everything orderly. For example, they are averaging exactly one goal per game, no, decimals or fractions, nice and orderly and simple. As an Italian coach once told me, the perfect football game should end 0-0, so the football is not always perfect, but much closer to perfection than a World Cup with such imperfect scores like 7-1s or 4-1s or 3-2s or other imperfect scorelines. Referees are maybe taking it to an extreme with the timing of matches, not wanting to go one second over 90 minutes, they sometimes call it a bit early, they also seem to want to call every hand ball, regardless of how the ball struck the hand, but you dont want total perfection, that would just be too boring, so yeah, hopefully the next round will not be as perfect.

With all games being close, it is hard to pick favourites, I did not see Morocco play, thanks to BEIN sports, but of the matches I have watched, I think I would pick Ivory Coast as a favourite, though you cant really make a proper decision after just one game, you need at least two or three. Also, I assume some covid players will come back in the next week.

The lack of fans is a big negative for me, even more so than the poor football or refereeing, they really need to look at pricing, assuming that is the issue and it is not covid or "lack of football fan culture". Is it better to have 100 people in a stadium paying 100 dollars each or 30 thousand paying 1 dollar each. They seem to have enough security to handle bigger crowds, most of the games have more security personnel than spectators. I mean come on, even Concacaf games in Kanada in January get more fans out for games in snow storms.

But hey, I have invested big money in getting BEIN sports for a month and will continue to watch this thing through to the bitter end, maybe when I go back up to the chalet, the contrast between the cold, snowy, mountainous scenery with the sweltering Sahara heat backdrop of the AFCON will make it all better.




Bruce Scott

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Jan 13, 2022, 1:31:14 PM1/13/22
to
On 2022-01-11, Real Mardin <real_...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Nigeria 1 - Egypt 0

[...]

> It seems it's not just fans who are in absence at this AFCON.

Well, in this case Nigeria played a basketball-style double team
on Salah and kept him from doing all the damage. BBC has a good
article on it:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59966450

The Nigerian coach, who replaced Gerhard Rohr only a few weeks ago,
conciously used a basketball model to plan his defense. Salah had
a couple of good moves to good looks, but that was about it...
and LEICESTER CITY player Ihenacho scored the golden goal!

--
ciao, Bruce

Real Mardin

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Jan 13, 2022, 1:35:04 PM1/13/22
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There seemed to be less people at the Olembe today for Cameroon v Ethiopia, this is concerning. If even the home team don’t sell out you know you’ve set prices
too high.

It’s a shame because some of the grounds used look pretty nice but without fans we don’t get to see them in all their glory.

Cameroon won an entertaining game 4-1, although the feeling was that the score line flattered the hosts.

RM

MH

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Jan 13, 2022, 7:24:53 PM1/13/22
to
On 2022-01-13 11:31, Bruce Scott wrote:
> On 2022-01-11, Real Mardin <real_...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Nigeria 1 - Egypt 0
>
> [...]
>
>> It seems it's not just fans who are in absence at this AFCON.
>
> Well, in this case Nigeria played a basketball-style double team
> on Salah and kept him from doing all the damage. BBC has a good
> article on it:
> https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59966450
>
> The Nigerian coach, who replaced Gerhard Rohr

Should this not be Gernot ? Use to play in France, I think. Possibly
Bordeaux.

Mark

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Jan 14, 2022, 11:42:26 AM1/14/22
to
When and why did it start getting called the African Cup of Nations instead of the African Nations Cup?
Talking of which, the CONCACAF Women's Championship/Gold Cup has now become known as the CONCACAF W Championship; which is rather weird.

Blueshirt

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Jan 14, 2022, 12:46:21 PM1/14/22
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Mark wrote:
>
> When and why did it start getting called the African Cup of Nations
> instead of the African Nations Cup?

It has officially been called the CAF African Cup of Nations for
decades... i.e. most of my lifetime!

Most tournament logos in my memory have featured the term AFCON, but
it's true the media of some countries might have used different
terminology to describe the tournament.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 14, 2022, 1:24:08 PM1/14/22
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Well at least BEIN sports is consistently inconsistent. Once again, no Morocco game and the other game was being broadcst in Arabic again,after broadcsting English for the lsat couple of days. Still not working on ROKU either.

So Cameroon and Morocco favorites at this moment.

Though the football excitement and goals may be low, it is still better than a WWEpl milk cup game

Bruce Scott

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Jan 14, 2022, 1:51:18 PM1/14/22
to
On 2022-01-14, MH <MHno...@ucalgary.ca> wrote:
> On 2022-01-13 11:31, Bruce Scott wrote:
>>
>> The Nigerian coach, who replaced Gerhard Rohr
>
> Should this not be Gernot ? Use to play in France, I think. Possibly
> Bordeaux.

I got it from the BBC piece...

--
ciao, Bruce


Real Mardin

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Jan 14, 2022, 5:17:36 PM1/14/22
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It is much, much better than any WWEpl match in my opinion, competitive matches played in proper stadiums (not soulless arenas) with running tracks accompanied by a soundtrack from the vuvuzela band jamming away - what's not to like?

I'm off to find the Real Football (TM) Seal of Approval!

RM

Werner Pichler

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Jan 14, 2022, 5:28:28 PM1/14/22
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Also, since 2009 the African Nations Championship is a different
tournament.

Ciao,
Werner

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 8:35:14 AM1/15/22
to
Of course the games I missed had all sorts of goals, but I did see a 1-1 between Gabon and Ghana. Nice contrast here up in the mountains from the Cameroon Desert, we are at -28C, while Cameroon is 28C, most freezing cold day in years, even the dogs are staying out for only a minute. Anyhow, seemed like a good amount of Gabon fans in the stadium, some Ghana fans as well, lot of female fans from what I could see as well. One of the Ayew twins, Andre, hit a really hard shot, probably like a 100 mph shot for the first goal and then Gabon, at least for me got a deserved equalizer in the last minute (Part of me thinking it was deserved was probably based on the fans, but they also were making chances). Thing is, Ghana players didnt like the goal, partially cus they had kicked the ball out and thought Gabon should throw it back and mostly cus they are not qualified yet and will need to win the last game.

If we are using the WWEpl as the standard, you know cus it is the greatest football league in the world and all that, the Afcon is still much better and more goals than a WWEpl game between the WWEPl two top teams. I am not making this up, but one of the dumb commentators in the #MCICHE is actually saying that Sarr is a great player,based upon his fluency in English and ability to give an interview, nothing to say about his footballing skills. Really is WWE. Chelsea cant put 3 passes together and Man City cant pass forward without an offside, cant even score on the little boy in goal for Chelsea, I doubt he can touch the crossbar.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 8:39:53 AM1/15/22
to
On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:35:14 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> Of course the games I missed had all sorts of goals, but I did see a 1-1 between Gabon and Ghana. Nice contrast here up in the mountains from the Cameroon Desert, we are at -28C, while Cameroon is 28C, most freezing cold day in years, even the dogs are staying out for only a minute. Anyhow, seemed like a good amount of Gabon fans in the stadium, some Ghana fans as well, lot of female fans from what I could see as well. One of the Ayew twins, Andre, hit a really hard shot, probably like a 100 mph shot for the first goal and then Gabon, at least for me got a deserved equalizer in the last minute (Part of me thinking it was deserved was probably based on the fans, but they also were making chances). Thing is, Ghana players didnt like the goal, partially cus they had kicked the ball out and thought Gabon should throw it back and mostly cus they are not qualified yet and will need to win the last game.
>
> If we are using the WWEpl as the standard, you know cus it is the greatest football league in the world and all that, the Afcon is still much better and more goals than a WWEpl game between the WWEPl two top teams. I am not making this up, but one of the dumb commentators in the #MCICHE is actually saying that Sarr is a great player,based upon his fluency in English and ability to give an interview, nothing to say about his footballing skills. Really is WWE. Chelsea cant put 3 passes together and Man City cant pass forward without an offside, cant even score on the little boy in goal for Chelsea, I doubt he can touch the crossbar.

I will add that WWEpl shooting is far worse than AFCOn shooting, but WWEpl diving and play acting and interviews are far better. Sterling is such a diver, like Harry Kane diving school graduate stuff. I am sure the WWEpl sports entertainment actors practice diving, though they still need more practice.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 9:08:38 AM1/15/22
to
On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:39:53 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:35:14 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > Of course the games I missed had all sorts of goals, but I did see a 1-1 between Gabon and Ghana. Nice contrast here up in the mountains from the Cameroon Desert, we are at -28C, while Cameroon is 28C, most freezing cold day in years, even the dogs are staying out for only a minute. Anyhow, seemed like a good amount of Gabon fans in the stadium, some Ghana fans as well, lot of female fans from what I could see as well. One of the Ayew twins, Andre, hit a really hard shot, probably like a 100 mph shot for the first goal and then Gabon, at least for me got a deserved equalizer in the last minute (Part of me thinking it was deserved was probably based on the fans, but they also were making chances). Thing is, Ghana players didnt like the goal, partially cus they had kicked the ball out and thought Gabon should throw it back and mostly cus they are not qualified yet and will need to win the last game.
> >
> > If we are using the WWEpl as the standard, you know cus it is the greatest football league in the world and all that, the Afcon is still much better and more goals than a WWEpl game between the WWEPl two top teams. I am not making this up, but one of the dumb commentators in the #MCICHE is actually saying that Sarr is a great player,based upon his fluency in English and ability to give an interview, nothing to say about his footballing skills. Really is WWE. Chelsea cant put 3 passes together and Man City cant pass forward without an offside, cant even score on the little boy in goal for Chelsea, I doubt he can touch the crossbar.

You just have to shoot on the little boy. Any full grown AFCON keeper would have saved the goal de Bruyne scored, really, contrary to the gushing of the commentators, it was quite saveable.

But to go back on topic, Auba is supposed to miss the rest of AFCON due to heart problems stemming from the Covid, as is Kanadian ace Davies ( being out for the next month and missing Kanada's WC qualifier in Hamilton vs USA in 2 weeks-it is -18C in hamilton right now). So are these heart problems due to the covid? Is covid like a heart and cardio killer, is that how we will die in the end?

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 10:42:39 AM1/15/22
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How is it that the super cold days are always the sunniest days?Like yesterday it was around -20C but bright blue skies and strong sun meant the chalet was 25C inside, due to the low angle of the sun in winter,shining directly inside. I have skied in some cold weather and maybe it is just me being old, but no way I would be out today in -25C temps,thankfully not any wind though.

Just a double header today, both Group D matches. Nigeria did a good job holding Egypt and Salah off the score sheet, but can they do the same against Sudan and Salah Nemar. A bit surprising that all but one of the Sudan players play their league football in Sudan, that one player surprisingly plays his club football in Sweden. Egypt need to win today, OK maybe not NEED to win, but they need at least a point I would say, though 3 points may be enough to get you through to the next round.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 11:51:41 AM1/15/22
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It appears that the 2nd round games are getting more spectators out for the games or so what i have seen today and yesterday. It looks like a good crowd, maybe even 60%. I suppose there are a lot of rich Nigerians in the crowd. I used to get emails all the time from them offering me all kinds of money and all I had to do was give them a small, short loan, but I never did, cus I felt the rates were beyond usury rates and I did not want to take advantage of them like that. On that subject is that what Binance is, I see a lot of ads for that on the advert boards around the pitch. Is it a Nigerian bit coin scam?

Nigeria leading 2-0 at the half and they have to be the new favourites now.

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 12:11:37 PM1/15/22
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On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 4:51:41 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> It appears that the 2nd round games are getting more spectators out for the games or so what i have seen today and yesterday. It looks like a good crowd, maybe even 60%. I suppose there are a lot of rich Nigerians in the crowd. I used to get emails all the time from them offering me all kinds of money and all I had to do was give them a small, short loan, but I never did, cus I felt the rates were beyond usury rates and I did not want to take advantage of them like that. On that subject is that what Binance is, I see a lot of ads for that on the advert boards around the pitch. Is it a Nigerian bit coin scam?
>
> Nigeria leading 2-0 at the half and they have to be the new favourites now.

It seems Sky are only showing this from the second half onwards as they are showing the same WWEpl match on two different channels and the same score update show on two different channels and also some netball.

Unimpressed to say the least.


RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 1:15:41 PM1/15/22
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Nigeria win 3-1,late consolation pk for Sudan. Nigeria look a good, disciplined unit.
GB vs Egypt game decides the rest of the group. Nigeria already qualified with 6 points.

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 1:52:37 PM1/15/22
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BBC News reporting that the Cameroon leader has authorised the school and work days being brought forward so as to free people up to attend matches.

Bring on the full stadiums!

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:29:55 PM1/15/22
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Just as the commentator says Egypt can’t get the ball to Salah the ball is chipped into him in the area and he volleys in - GNB 0 Egypt 1

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:41:56 PM1/15/22
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GB!!!!!!!!!! they better not VAR this off

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:47:23 PM1/15/22
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On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:41:56 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> GB!!!!!!!!!! they better not VAR this off

Sorry, clear foul by the “scorer” Balde to win the ball, VAR delivers justice - goal ruled out!

Shame in a way as it was a wonder strike but then it was a foul.
RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:55:16 PM1/15/22
to
On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:47:23 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:41:56 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > GB!!!!!!!!!! they better not VAR this off
> Sorry, clear foul by the “scorer” Balde to win the ball, VAR delivers justice - goal ruled out!
>
> Shame in a way as it was a wonder strike but then it was a foul.
> RM

Egypt 1 GNB 0

GNB fought until the end.

I hope they win their last game and get through to the knockout rounds.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:55:55 PM1/15/22
to
On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 3:47:23 p.m. UTC-5, Real Mardin wrote:
> On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:41:56 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > GB!!!!!!!!!! they better not VAR this off
> Sorry, clear foul by the “scorer” Balde to win the ball, VAR delivers justice - goal ruled out!
>
> Shame in a way as it was a wonder strike but then it was a foul.
> RM

Yeah, I thought they would call it, just hoping they might not. I would have to see it again 10 ways to really say foul or not, I thought they both were pulling, only saw one replay, (like the Salah goal, originally thought he was offisde but the replay showed not) GB more or less playing for the 0-0, but I was getting that ugly, underdog, likeable thing for them and yeah, it was a nice shot.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 15, 2022, 3:58:21 PM1/15/22
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As much as I am pissin on BEIN, they offer a secondary audio, which is stadium sound only. I would say this game started off with the drums being strong, but gradually shifted to a horn section finale, with a bit of drums.

Real Mardin

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Jan 15, 2022, 4:30:11 PM1/15/22
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On Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8:58:21 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> As much as I am pissin on BEIN, they offer a secondary audio, which is stadium sound only. I would say this game started off with the drums > being strong, but gradually shifted to a horn section finale, with a bit of drums.

Yeah, I think the NME would give the music in this match a solid 3 stars out of 5.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 16, 2022, 3:54:09 PM1/16/22
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In a day where 12 goals were scored in the other three matches, the only match I got to see today finished Algeria 0 ECG 1.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 17, 2022, 11:15:11 AM1/17/22
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Finally, a real snowday, kinda surprised how well the satellite internet is working in these conditions, though the picture is like watching an old snowy picture on a 1970s tv.

Just Group A matches today. Cameroon v Cape Verde and Ethiopia v Burkina Faso. Cameroon are through already. Everyone else in with a chance. Ethiopia need to win and hope, the other two should get through with draws.

Both games 0-0 and current standings


1 Kamerun Kamerun 3 4 7
— 2 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 3 0 4
— 3 Kap Verde Kap Verde 3 0 4
— 4 Äthiopien Äthiopien 3 -4 1

Binder Dundat

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Jan 17, 2022, 11:30:44 AM1/17/22
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My picture quality is improving ( which is weird as I cant even see the shoreline along the lake now, while I could barely see it before), from what I can see -and hear- sounds like a good home crowd for Cameroon, I dunno, I dont think it is 80%, but I cant really say, tv pictures only shows the first few rows.

Real Mardin

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Jan 17, 2022, 12:54:04 PM1/17/22
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Hard to say if it is 80% attendance but it looked like the best attendance yet.

Cape Verde deserved their 1-1 draw, I hope they’ll get through to the next round.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 17, 2022, 1:00:14 PM1/17/22
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I assume 3 teams get out of this group. Good match, CV came back, got the goal and then went too defensive. Cameroon had chances to win ad tried to win all the way to the end, when I thought they would be happy with the draw.

Wait, whaaat???? the Cape Verde guy they is interviwin is white and sounds like an Irish Lily White??????

Real Mardin

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Jan 18, 2022, 1:03:41 PM1/18/22
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Malawi 0 Senegal 0

There was nice trumpet playing reminiscent of early Desmond Dekker tracks. I would give the soundtrack to this match 4/5.

Senegal win the group, Malawi third.

It didn’t look like many people had attended when the match started but by the end the main stand had all but filled out.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 18, 2022, 2:53:57 PM1/18/22
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Ghana a goal and a man down to Comoros at half time and facing elimination if they can’t turn it around.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 18, 2022, 3:23:12 PM1/18/22
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Travel day for me after 47cm of snow yesterday, it was an interesting drive back into the city.
That is tough for Ghana, now behind 2-0 . Just tuning into Morocco losing 1-0 to Gabon, but they seem to pressing for a goal.

Real Mardin

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Jan 18, 2022, 3:53:32 PM1/18/22
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Ghana fought back to make it 2-2 but Comoros find the late winner -3-2 Comoros! Ghana out!

I don’t know if this result affects the computations on Binder’s super computer but this is the first real shock of the tournament.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 18, 2022, 4:02:21 PM1/18/22
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Ghana out with one point, might just break the Super Computer. I think Morocco rested a few players, but get a 2-2 draw coming back twice, nice goal by Hakimi. Comoros on three points, not sure that will be enough, I get the feeling you will need 4 points to advance.

Bruce Scott

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Jan 19, 2022, 1:47:07 PM1/19/22
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On 2022-01-15, Binder Dundat <dun...@gmail.com> wrote:
[...]

Yes, Davies's heart problems are said to be due to covid.

--
ciao, Bruce

Mark

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Jan 20, 2022, 10:32:02 AM1/20/22
to
Cameroon have played Cape Verde 3 times in this tournament, including qualifiers. We've drawn 2 and lost 1.

It's probably safe to say that Cameroon will not win the African Nations Cup!

Binder Dundat

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Jan 20, 2022, 1:29:45 PM1/20/22
to
Are you Roger Milla?


>
> It's probably safe to say that Cameroon will not win the African Nations Cup!

As someone who prefers to be totally safe, I will say it is safe to say Algeria will not defend the title.

On the topic of safety. There is a video making the rounds of the world of a Lasse cruising down the river in her little yellow toyota at 100km/h, sinking her car and then taking a selfie on said sinking car. I have not driven on that river, but have often driven on the Ottawa Riviere (connected to the Rideau River which she was cruisin on), though maybe not that fast. I really have to meet this chick.

I am back in my AFCON comfort zone, back in the -20C temps and white snow beaches. If you think about it, it is kinda remarkable that on Monday we had 50CM of snow then another 10-15cm yesterday, yet the drive up here was nice, with clean highways and bright sunshine and smooth sailing all the way here.

Real Mardin

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Jan 20, 2022, 1:45:57 PM1/20/22
to
On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:29:45 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:32:02 AM UTC-5, Mark wrote:
> > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:54:04 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4:30:44 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > My picture quality is improving ( which is weird as I cant even see the shoreline along the lake now, while I could barely see it before), from what I can see -and hear- sounds like a good home crowd for Cameroon, I dunno, I dont think it is 80%, but I cant really say, tv pictures only shows the first few rows.
> > > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:15:11 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > > Finally, a real snowday, kinda surprised how well the satellite internet is working in these conditions, though the picture is like watching an old snowy picture on a 1970s tv.
> > > > >
> > > > > Just Group A matches today. Cameroon v Cape Verde and Ethiopia v Burkina Faso. Cameroon are through already. Everyone else in with a chance. Ethiopia need to win and hope, the other two should get through with draws.
> > > > >
> > > > > Both games 0-0 and current standings
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > 1 Kamerun Kamerun 3 4 7
> > > > > — 2 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 3 0 4
> > > > > — 3 Kap Verde Kap Verde 3 0 4
> > > > > — 4 Äthiopien Äthiopien 3 -4 1
> > > Hard to say if it is 80% attendance but it looked like the best attendance yet.
> > >
> > > Cape Verde deserved their 1-1 draw, I hope they’ll get through to the next round.
> > >
> > > RM
> > Cameroon have played Cape Verde 3 times in this tournament, including qualifiers. We've drawn 2 and lost 1.
> Are you Roger Milla?
> >
> > It's probably safe to say that Cameroon will not win the African Nations Cup!
> As someone who prefers to be totally safe, I will say it is safe to say Algeria will not defend the title.
>

Algeria going out so early has ruined this AFCON for me. It’s only the running tracks around every pitch that are keeping me watching right now.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 20, 2022, 1:57:21 PM1/20/22
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Final group games are kinda anticlimactic, except for the Gambia being in it. For those who dont know, the Gambia is a little British holiday estuary, I m sure it used to be an important shipping port for them in the old days, you know for slaves and stuff, if memory serves me they have a lochness like dragon monster in the Gambia River. I only know that cus I was going to holiday there once ( went to Agadir instead, then spent one day in Agadir. Holidaying is different from travelling). I think that the top 3 are already qualified, Gambia could win the group, which would be something.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 20, 2022, 2:53:47 PM1/20/22
to
Bayern should sign the the Gambia keeper as the Neuer replacement. Gambia want to win or at least draw this game. 0-0 ht

I am not against running tracks, though I dont get why they make it better?

Really not a lot to play for except for the 1/16 pairing. A good looking game already between Cote d ivioire and Egypt.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 20, 2022, 3:35:56 PM1/20/22
to

You can really see how the days are getting longer, it is the way the sun sets over the hills...oh yeah 0-0 20 mins left. I think Gambia will prove a tough opponent for who ever faces them in the next round. Tunisia have too many lazy Germans.

Werner Pichler

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Jan 20, 2022, 9:13:01 PM1/20/22
to
On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 7:29:45 PM UTC+1, Binder Dundat wrote:
> On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:32:02 AM UTC-5, Mark wrote:
> > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:54:04 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4:30:44 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > My picture quality is improving ( which is weird as I cant even see the shoreline along the lake now, while I could barely see it before), from what I can see -and hear- sounds like a good home crowd for Cameroon, I dunno, I dont think it is 80%, but I cant really say, tv pictures only shows the first few rows.
> > > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:15:11 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > > Finally, a real snowday, kinda surprised how well the satellite internet is working in these conditions, though the picture is like watching an old snowy picture on a 1970s tv.
> > > > >
> > > > > Just Group A matches today. Cameroon v Cape Verde and Ethiopia v Burkina Faso. Cameroon are through already. Everyone else in with a chance. Ethiopia need to win and hope, the other two should get through with draws.
> > > > >
> > > > > Both games 0-0 and current standings
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > 1 Kamerun Kamerun 3 4 7
> > > > > — 2 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 3 0 4
> > > > > — 3 Kap Verde Kap Verde 3 0 4
> > > > > — 4 Äthiopien Äthiopien 3 -4 1
> > > Hard to say if it is 80% attendance but it looked like the best attendance yet.
> > >
> > > Cape Verde deserved their 1-1 draw, I hope they’ll get through to the next round.
> > >
> > > RM
> > Cameroon have played Cape Verde 3 times in this tournament, including qualifiers. We've drawn 2 and lost 1.
> Are you Roger Milla?
> >
> > It's probably safe to say that Cameroon will not win the African Nations Cup!
> As someone who prefers to be totally safe, I will say it is safe to say Algeria will not defend the title.
>
> On the topic of safety. There is a video making the rounds of the world of a Lasse cruising down the river in her little yellow toyota at 100km/h, sinking her car and then taking a selfie on said sinking car. I have not
> driven on that river, but have often driven on the Ottawa Riviere (connected to the Rideau River which she was cruisin on), though maybe not that fast. I really have to meet this chick.

She sounds perfect for Mr Lily White.

Ciao,
Werner

Binder Dundat

unread,
Jan 20, 2022, 11:52:03 PM1/20/22
to
On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 9:13:01 PM UTC-5, Werner Pichler wrote:
> On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 7:29:45 PM UTC+1, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > On Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10:32:02 AM UTC-5, Mark wrote:
> > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:54:04 PM UTC, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4:30:44 PM UTC, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > > My picture quality is improving ( which is weird as I cant even see the shoreline along the lake now, while I could barely see it before), from what I can see -and hear- sounds like a good home crowd for Cameroon, I dunno, I dont think it is 80%, but I cant really say, tv pictures only shows the first few rows.
> > > > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:15:11 a.m. UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
> > > > > > Finally, a real snowday, kinda surprised how well the satellite internet is working in these conditions, though the picture is like watching an old snowy picture on a 1970s tv.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Just Group A matches today. Cameroon v Cape Verde and Ethiopia v Burkina Faso. Cameroon are through already. Everyone else in with a chance. Ethiopia need to win and hope, the other two should get through with draws.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Both games 0-0 and current standings
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 1 Kamerun Kamerun 3 4 7
> > > > > > — 2 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 3 0 4
> > > > > > — 3 Kap Verde Kap Verde 3 0 4
> > > > > > — 4 Äthiopien Äthiopien 3 -4 1
> > > > Hard to say if it is 80% attendance but it looked like the best attendance yet.
> > > >
> > > > Cape Verde deserved their 1-1 draw, I hope they’ll get through to the next round.
> > > >
> > > > RM
> > > Cameroon have played Cape Verde 3 times in this tournament, including qualifiers. We've drawn 2 and lost 1.
> > Are you Roger Milla?
> > >
> > > It's probably safe to say that Cameroon will not win the African Nations Cup!
> > As someone who prefers to be totally safe, I will say it is safe to say Algeria will not defend the title.
> >
> > On the topic of safety. There is a video making the rounds of the world of a Lasse cruising down the river in her little yellow toyota at 100km/h, sinking her car and then taking a selfie on said sinking car. I have not
> > driven on that river, but have often driven on the Ottawa Riviere (connected to the Rideau River which she was cruisin on), though maybe not that fast. I really have to meet this chick.
> She sounds perfect for Mr Lily White.

If she had gone down with the car and came back to life, should would be perfect for Mr. Lily White.

here is the story:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/01/18/driver-selfie-car-ice-rescue-canada-jarrett-dnt-newday-vpx.cnn

So AFCON takes a break for a couple of days before returning with the ko round of 16.


Round of 16 schedule
Jan. 23
Burkina Faso vs. Gabon, 11 a.m.
Nigeria vs. Tunisia, 2 p.m.
It means nothing, but I think Nigeria looked the best team I saw in the group phase.

Jan. 24
Guinea vs. Gambia, 11 a.m.
Cameroon vs. Comoros, 2 p.m.
Good draw for Cameroon, I think.

Jan. 25
Senegal vs. Cape Verde, 11 a.m.
Morocco vs. Malawi, 2 p.m.

Jan. 26
Ivory Coast vs. Egypt, 11 a.m.
the match of the round, leaning towards Ivory Coast winning this one
Equatorial Guinea vs. Mali, 2p.m.


Other knockout stage dates
Quarterfinals: Jan. 29-30
Semifinals: Feb. 3-4
Third-place match: Feb. 6
Final: Feb. 6

Werner Pichler

unread,
Jan 22, 2022, 4:48:33 PM1/22/22
to
On Friday, January 21, 2022 at 5:52:03 AM UTC+1, Binder Dundat wrote:
>
> So AFCON takes a break for a couple of days before returning with the ko round of 16.
>
>
> Round of 16 schedule
> Jan. 23
> Burkina Faso vs. Gabon, 11 a.m.
> Nigeria vs. Tunisia, 2 p.m.
> It means nothing, but I think Nigeria looked the best team I saw in the group phase.
>
> Jan. 24
> Guinea vs. Gambia, 11 a.m.
> Cameroon vs. Comoros, 2 p.m.
> Good draw for Cameroon, I think.

I'm hearing that the Comoros will play without a goalkeeper?

Ciao,
Werner

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 6:52:50 AM1/23/22
to
On Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 9:48:33 PM UTC, Werner Pichler wrote:
> On Friday, January 21, 2022 at 5:52:03 AM UTC+1, Binder Dundat wrote:
> >
> > So AFCON takes a break for a couple of days before returning with the ko round of 16.
> >
> >
> > Round of 16 schedule
> > Jan. 23
> > Burkina Faso vs. Gabon, 11 a.m.
> > Nigeria vs. Tunisia, 2 p.m.
> > It means nothing, but I think Nigeria looked the best team I saw in the group phase.
> >
> > Jan. 24
> > Guinea vs. Gambia, 11 a.m.
> > Cameroon vs. Comoros, 2 p.m.
> > Good draw for Cameroon, I think.
> I'm hearing that the Comoros will play without a goalkeeper?


First choice keeper Salim Ben Borina injured, 7 others players out with Covid - including both substitute keepers.

BBC Sport reporting that the rules state if 11 players are fit then a team has to pick someone to play in goal from the available 11.

However, the rules also allow for exceptions in "exceptional circumstances" and Comoros are trying to get this treated as such.


RM

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 6:56:57 AM1/23/22
to
And just to add to that, apparently Tunisia will be missing 12 players due to Covid for tonight's game with Nigeria.

Wondering if this tournament will be decided on who can keep their squad clear of Covid?


RM

Binder Dundat

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 11:49:23 AM1/23/22
to
Burkina 1 - 0 Gabon ht
Burkina were given a penalty for a light foul, but the resulting pk hit the crossbar. The referee seems a bit weird. Gabon made it 1-1 at the end, but called back for offside.

Apparently Comoros have a keeper for the next game

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 12:02:55 PM1/23/22
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The small stadium with the big running track, that looks to be out in the countryside somewhere, looks like it might have the allowed 60% crowd.

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 12:07:49 PM1/23/22
to
Only saw the highlights as am watching Galatasaray - Trabzonspor. Beautiful through ball deep from midfield for Burkina Faso's goal, Traore placed it sweetly in off the post. The Gabon "equaliser" was ruled out for what looked to me like a very marginal offside, the kind that didn't used to be given in the days where they gave the attacker the benefit of the doubt. I don't like to see goals like that ruled out and I don't believe most fans do either.

The ground at Limbe looks as full as I remember seeing it. Looks like this is the last game it will host during the tournament. A shame, it might only have a capacity of 20000 but has a lot of character with nice views of trees and hills in the background.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 12:30:41 PM1/23/22
to
Lotsa cards flying, Gabon down to 10 men, still 1-0. I dont like this ref. He gave Burkina a light pk in the 1st half, then denied Gabon what would have been another very light pk, but then right after gave Burkina a free kick outside the box for a light but obvious shirt pull. Which made the Gabon players mad and then a bunch of cards flying again. About 25 mins left for Gabon to get back in it, but it will be tough.

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 12:41:41 PM1/23/22
to
Apparently it is hot and humid, the players look tired and it is now a game of 10 men of Gabon trying to score, but allowing a lot of 3 on 2s. Still 1-0

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 12:50:18 PM1/23/22
to
Gabon head in from a corner on 90 minutes - looks like we're heading for extra time!

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 12:55:05 PM1/23/22
to
Yup, well done Gabon, I wont blame the 10 men of Gabon if they go into a total defensive shell. But maybe they will go for it?

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 1:56:34 PM1/23/22
to
Burkina Faso advance after 9 rounds of penalties! What a shootout!

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 1:58:30 PM1/23/22
to
The never ending game, finally ends after the 18th penalty kick. Gabon did so well, but Burkina Faso wins the shootout.

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 3:30:46 PM1/23/22
to
Tunisia 12 men down with Covid but Nigeria a goal and a man down on the night! 16 minutes left.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 23, 2022, 3:35:32 PM1/23/22
to
I’ve noticed some of these AFCON matches start with the ground looking quite empty but after 20 minutes or so fill up. Not sure if Covid checks are delaying people’s entry or of this is just how things are done in this part of the World.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 23, 2022, 3:53:09 PM1/23/22
to
I thought Nigeria looked good in the group stage and Tunisia not so good, only caught the end of this match, but commentators suggest it was a Tunisia defensive masterclass.

Werner Pichler

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Jan 23, 2022, 4:02:23 PM1/23/22
to
Real Mardin <real_...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
> Only saw the highlights as am watching
> Galatasaray - Trabzonspor.

Incidentally, what‘s Gala‘s historically worst ever season finish?

Ciao,
Werner

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 23, 2022, 4:39:42 PM1/23/22
to
:(

Depends how you look at it.

6th place in the 1917/18 Istanbul Football League was a last place finish, albeit in a league with no relegation.

In 1981/82 Galatasaray finished 11th out of 17 in the Turkish First Division (top tier).

The worst finish since the old First Division was rebranded the Super League was 8th out of 18 in 2010/11.

What you're getting at is after 23 of 38 rounds we're currently 15th out of 20. Two places and three points above the relegation zone.

The only saving grace is the mid-table positions have quite a few teams with similar points and we could win a couple and get back into the top half of the table.

We actually played quite well today but a defensive error for the second goal (defensive midfielder Taylan receives ball from keeper to lay it off for a "team mate" who turned out to be Trabzonspor striker Visca who was more than happy to receive the ball and put it past our keeper) cost us dear.

RM

MH

unread,
Jan 24, 2022, 1:13:39 AM1/24/22
to
Why are Trabzonspor so strong this year ?
And when is the last time all three big Istanbul teams have all
struggled simultaneously as they are doing now (best of the 4 currently
fifth) ? Even when Bursaspor won, second and third went to Fenerbahce
and Galatasaray. And Besiktas at least managed third the year
Basaksehir won (two years back).
>
> RM
>

Binder Dundat

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Jan 24, 2022, 12:20:03 PM1/24/22
to
Hey, lets keep this thread on topic! I could sit here an type about the weather and how cold it is and how much I drank or am drinking, or how I am smoking weed from a bong or about how my puppy loves the snow and cold etc... but no, I am a professional and always keep on topic. If you wanted to talk about on topic stuff, you could mention how the Gambia coach is a bit of a throwback. Like how before all the African coaches were long haired Germans or Frenchman, OK this guy is Belgian and his hair is nowhere near as long and luxurious as those guys like Winnie Schafer and that french guy, but it has to be on topic.

The Gambia done well, especially when you consider the country is about the size and population of Maniwaki and they have a German regional liga player in goal.

0-0 60 min

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 1:47:35 PM1/24/22
to
My on topic contribution is to confirm that The Gambia beat Guinea 1-0. The Scorpions are ranked 150th in the World- the lowest of any team in the tournament- but are now in the quarterfinals!

RM

Real Mardin

unread,
Jan 24, 2022, 2:05:15 PM1/24/22
to
Another on topic contribution: Comoros have had to pick their left back Alhadur as keeper due to all their actual keepers being out with injury or Covid. Will the outfield players give the poor guy enough protection from Cameroon?

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:12:33 PM1/24/22
to
It gets worse for Comoros- Abdou has been sent of after 6 minutes for stamping on a Cameroon player from behind. It took a VAR review to pick up on this - but was it really a clear and obvious error?

I have reviewed my post and certify that it is on topic.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:29:50 PM1/24/22
to
25 minutes gone 0-0.

It doesn’t matter if the opposition keeper is a guy who’s never kept goal before or a cardboard cut out, if you can’t create a shot on target you won’t get the ball past him.

No shots on target for Cameroon so far.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:30:52 PM1/24/22
to
I am gonna have to go off topic, my new Starlink just arrived at the end of the Gambia game, it arrived like a Gambian river dragon, so unexpectedly, so I waited for the match to end (yah Gambia!) and set it up, relatively quick and easy. Now watching the Afcon the way it was meant to be viewed, through the Tesla guy's internet, cus he is South African innit he?

Seems the picture is better, speed test on the starlink app sez 100mbs, while the internet speedtest at speedtest.net sez around 40mbs, though that may have something to do with the old acer10 I am using, have to try it on my real laptop later. Be interesting to see how everything works, like netflix on the firestick and such

SO anyway back up and thankfully due to all the on topic posts, I know now Cameroon had the keeper sent off. Really? Wow that sucks, maybe nepotism for cameroon influencing the call?

0-0 27min

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:33:16 PM1/24/22
to
At last! Toka-Ekampbi gets a shot on target, the stand in keeper predictably was nowhere near it. 1-0 Cameroon!

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:38:37 PM1/24/22
to
No the keeper wasn’t sent off, the Comoros number 6 was sent off. Comoros started with an outfield player in goal as their usual keepers are injured or have Covid.

RM

Real Mardin

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Jan 24, 2022, 2:55:44 PM1/24/22
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Half time Cameroon 1 Comoros 0

I’ve nothing against Comoros but am disappointed Cameroon haven’t tested this stand in Comoros keeper more.

Comoros had a double chance to score themselves but because Cameroon have an actual keeper in goal he managed to pull off two saves to keep the score 1-0.

RM

Binder Dundat

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Jan 24, 2022, 3:03:09 PM1/24/22
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I thought that I read they have the 3rd choice keeper available?

Binder Dundat

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Jan 24, 2022, 3:16:25 PM1/24/22
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OK, he does not look like a keeper, but he just made a couple of good saves
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