KUMASI: Until Wednesday evening, striker Mohamed Zidan did not know whether he had recovered in time for Egypt’s 2008 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Ivory Coast tonight. “I don’t know yet (whether I’m fit), said Zidan, who has scored twice as the five-time champions reached the last four of this tournament. The Hamburg SV …

KUMASI, Ghana: Defending champions Egypt are into the African Nations Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win over a spirited Angola. The Pharoahs took control at the Baba Yara Stadium via Hosni Abd Rabou s penalty. Manchester United s recent signing Manucho equalized with a shot out of nowhere before Amr Zaky exploited some poor defending …

TAMALE, Ghana: Recalled Stephane Mbia scored twice as Cameroon edged Tunisia 3-2 after extra time in an African Nations Cup quarter-final thriller on Monday. Dropped following a 4-2 loss to Egypt in their first group match, Mbia made the most of his second chance to open the scoring in the first half and snatch the …

ACCRA: Hosts Ghana overcame the expulsion of skipper John Mensah to make it into the African Nations Cup semi-finals with Ivory Coast securing the other last-four spot from Sunday s quarter-finals. Ghana did not buckle under the weight of a nation s expectations in a memorable win against Nigeria in Accra, Claude Le Roy s …

ACCRA: Nigeria bounced back from the brink to sneak into the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday but the door to the last eight closed on Mali. The two countries were scrapping for the honor of finishing runners-up to Ivory Coast in Group B and passage to the knockout stages, with the Nigerians prevailing. Berti …

KUMASI: Manchester-United new recruit Manucho and surprise-package Angola face five-time defending champions Egypt today in an intriguing African Nations Cup quarter-final. Angola have never progressed so far in the biennial competition, the Black Antelopes defying the odds to make it past the opening round at the fifth attempt. A 1-1 draw against Group D joint …

We interrupt what would have been a story on the Africa Cup of Nations to bring you this special report. We re still in Ghana but we focus on what has become the famous or infamous – depending on where you stand – Gaza t-shirt of our biggest football star Mohamed Abu Treika. In the …

KUMASI: Champions Egypt continued their march towards a possible sixth Africa Cup of Nations crown courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Zambia in a final Group C match here Wednesday. The Pharaohs finished top of Group C on seven points and now await the second-placed team in Group D who they will face in the …

KUMASI: The Pharaohs of Egypt say they are not about to take their foot off the pedal when they tackle Zambia in their final Group C tie at the Baba Yara Stadium tonight. The five-time champions lead their first round group with six points from two matches. They have scored seven goals and let in …

KUMASI: Samuel Eto o tied a 38-year-old record for the most goals at the African Cup of Nations during Cameroon s 5-1 win over Zambia on Saturday. The FC Barcelona scored from a penalty kick for his 14th goal – and equal-leading third at this tournament – to draw level with former Ivory Coast forward …

KUMASI: Defending champions Egypt continued their African Nations Cup title defense by beating neighbors Sudan 3-0 in Group C on Saturday. Egypt tops the group with six points from two matches while Cameroon moved into second place after their 5-1 hammering of Zambia. Sudan is at the bottom of the standings with no points. Still, …

ACCRA: Ghana need only a draw against Morocco on Monday to guarantee their quarter-final berth at the African Nations Cup after Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo earned the hosts a 1-0 win over Namibia on Thursday. Namibia s second straight loss means they will be heading off to the airport irrespective of what happens in …

CAIRO: The Egyptian Weightlifting Federation has unanimously decided to strike off its register two high-profile weightlifters during a board meeting on Monday. Nahla Ramadan, a former world youth champion, and Esmat Mansour, who has secured a fifth place in the 2005 Women’s World Championship, have failed to attend the training camp of the national team …

KUMASI: Mohamed Zidan scored two spectacular goals in the first half Tuesday to lead defending champion Egypt to a 4-2 win over shaky Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations. Hosni Abd Rabou also scored twice for five-time champion Egypt. “We are giving everything for our fans and country, Zidan said. “We are giving everything …

ACCRA: Ivory Coast lived up to their billing as serious title contenders with their victory in Monday s crunch African Nations Cup game against fellow regional giants Nigeria. Salomon Kalou produced a superb solo strike in the Group B tie in Sekondi, the Chelsea forward meandering through a packed Nigerian defense to set the 2006 …

CAIRO: Essam Al-Hadari slightly twisted his ankle in Sunday s training session but the minor injury will not rule him out of Egypt s African Cup of Nations opener against Cameroon. Our goalie was injured due to the poor state of the pitch, Egypt trainer Hamada Sedki told FilGoal.com. Thankfully, there is no swelling. Al-Hadari …

ACCRA: Downtown Accra is decorated with Go Ghana banners as this lively city of nearly 3 million people prepares for the start of the continent s most storied soccer tournament. A million visitors are expected in the West African state for the African Cup of Nations, which began Sunday with a sold-out opener between the …

CAIRO: The Egyptian national handball team on Thursday snatched the title of the African Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia 27-25 in Angola, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported. With winning the men s final held in the Angolan capital of Luanda, the Egyptian team is now qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, …

At this time two years ago, we boldly predicted Egypt would not win the African Cup of Nations. We were wrong. So we ll try again. Here comes another ACN tournament and another prediction: Egypt will not win the African Cup of Nations. There are several reasons. We have shown a complete inability to win …

CAIRO: Samuel Kyere has brushed aside rumors linking him with a move to Zamalek, after he signed a one-year extension to his contract with Arab Contractors. Egyptian reports in recent days suggested that the Ghanaian is set to join the Whites, relying on a minimum fee release clause of LE 200,000. However, Contractors coach Alaa …

CAIRO: Ahmed Abou-Mosallam undergoes trial with English club Crystal Palace for a possible move in January. The international left-back told FilGoal.com that he trained twice with the Championship side and played a friendly on Tuesday night. Abou-Mosallam said he will be informed whether he would be offered a contract in the end of the week. …

CAIRO: Anderlecht midfielder Ahmed Hassan finished as runner-up in the 2007 Belgium Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Standard Liege skipper Steven Defour claimed the award after a fierce competition with the Egypt captain. Hassan also finished second in 2006 behind then-teammate Mohamed Tchite, currently at Racing Santander. The 32-year-old Hassan …

CAIRO: Ismaili manager Ismail Hefni has been given a vote of confidence by the board despite the team being knocked out of Egypt s Cup. Hefni s job is safe and he will stay with us for the rest of the season, Ismaili s Vice President Ibrahim Ashour told FilGoal.com. The Dervishes were stunned by …

CAIRO: Egypt has jumped to 35th position in the monthly ranking published by FIFA for national teams, while remaining unbeaten in friendlies. The African champions are fourth continentally, leveling with Ivory Coast and trailing behind Nigeria, Cameroon and Guinea. Egypt s progress is largely dependent on positive friendly results this month, including victories over Namibia …

CAIRO: The Egyptian FA have promised Egypt squad members huge incentives if they manage to defend the African Cup of Nations title in Ghana this year. FA chairman Samir Zaher indicated that each player will receive $55,000 (LE 300,000) if the team brings the cup homes. This is only the official bonus allocated by the …

CAIRO: Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan is hoping to see his name on top of Belgium s 2007 Player of the Year award, ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations. Hassan is tipped for the prestigious prize, to be announced on Wednesday, as the Anderlecht ace came second to Meme Tchite last year. Hopefully, this …

CAIRO: Zambia captain Chris Katongo is aware that the Chipolopolo will face a tough task when they lock horns with Africa s best in the upcoming Nations Cup in Ghana. Zambia will tackle holders Egypt, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the improving Sudan in Group C this month. Our mission is to go back home …