Sports
‘No stopping here for Cote d’Ivoire’
Cote d’Ivoire caretaker coach Emerse Fae says his team ‘must not stop here’ after their monumental penalty shootout victory over Senegal in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations last 16.
The tournament hosts eliminated the reigning champions 5-4 on penalties on Monday following a 1-1 draw after extra time to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
In front of a raucous home crowd at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Senegal made a blistering start and took the lead just four minutes in.
A superb cross from Sadio Mane found Habib Diallo, who calmly chested the ball down before firing a rocket into the top corner.
Cote d’Ivoire were unfazed and continued pressing and when the game turned on a pivotal 86th minute moment when the host nation was awarded a penalty as Pepe was clumsily brought down by Edouard Mendy.
After VAR reviewed the incident, Franck Kessie coolly sent Mendy the wrong way from the spot to equalise.
In the shootout, Kessie stepped up to smash home the winning kick and send the home crowd into ecstasy.
It capped a remarkable turnaround for the Elephants after a disastrous group stage saw them suffer two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
“We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at halftime to keep playing the same way, not get confused,” said Fae.
Unlike under previous coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Fae took full responsibility for tactical decisions during the match.
“It was my decision on what needed to be done. With Gasset, I would give an opinion and he would make the decision,” Fae explained.
The interim boss admitted he was under intense pressure before the Senegal showdown.
“There was a lot of pressure before the match, and match day was too long for me. I couldn’t nap as usual, thinking about all scenarios. If I said there was no pressure, I would be lying,” Fae confessed.
But scraping through the group stage boosted belief before facing the champions.
“Qualifying after Morocco’s win gave us confidence. We beat Senegal and eliminated them; morale is good,” said Fae.
With a place now booked in the quarter-finals, Fae stressed the team cannot get carried away by this result as tougher tests lie ahead.
“We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match,” the coach asserted.
After inspiring a remarkable reversal in fortunes, Fae seems determined to ensure this giant-killing act is just the start as the Elephants seek further AFCON glory. — Cafonline.com
Sports
DOL Match Commissioners sign Intergrity Declaration Forms ahead of 2024/2025 season
As part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of football, Match Commissioners of the Division One League have signed Integrity Declaration Forms, pledging their commitment to reporting suspicious activities that may compromise the fairness of the game.
This initiative, held at the Headquarters of the Association, is part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing the association’s zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing, match manipulation, and betting.
The training session provided Match Commissioners with essential tools to detect and address any potential threats to the integrity of matches.
As key figures in ensuring the smooth and fair conduct of games, the Match Commissioners play a vital role in safeguarding the professionalism of the Division One League.
The Integrity Declaration Forms signed during the session formalized their pledge to uphold the highest standards of ethics and transparency.
Sports
Premier League Week 5 round- up: Kotoko go top of tableAsante Kotoko 1-0 Accra Lions
Asante Kotoko moved to the top of he Premier League with a 1-0 win over Accra Lions on Sunday.
Albert Anoah scored in the 48th minute to send the Porcupine Warriors to the top of the table with 11 points.
Nsoatreman FC thumped Legon Cities 3-1 on matchday 5 of the Premier League on Sunday October 6, 2024.
Richard Acquah opened the scoring for the home side in the 9th minute before Walid Neymar Fuseini added the second in the 27th minute.
Anokye Mensah got on the scoresheet to make it 3-0 the 39th minute. Mohammed Alidu got the consolation for Legon Cities in the 90th minute.
The result leaves Legon Cities winless since the start of the season..
Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Young Apostles
Berekum Chelsea recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Young Apostles FC at home on Sunday.
Mezack Afriyie’s 72nd strike separated the two teams at the Golden City Park.
Vision FC 1-0 Basake Holy Stars
Vision FC recorded their first home win of the season after a 1-0 win over Basake Holy Stars .
Daniel Yemoh’s 45th minute strike separated the two teams at the Nii Akraku Adjei 11 Complex
Karela United 1-1 FC Samartex
Hadi Mohammed saved the blushes for Karela United with a last gasp equaliser in their 1-1 at home to FC Samartex.
Samartex scored through Godwin Sefah on the stroke of the first half before Hadi Mohammed grabbed the equaliser in the 90th minute
Dreams FC 0-1 Nations
Dreams FC are still without a win after losing 1-0 at home to Nations FC. Naful Sulemana scored in the 80th minute to steal victory.
The Believers’ start to the season has been tough and will require emergency measures.
GoldStars FC 1-0 Bechem United
GoldStars FC recorded their 1-0 win Over Bechem United on matchday 5 of the Premier League on Sunday.
Michael Nkoah scored in the 32nd minute to separate the two teams at the Duns Park in Bibiani.
