Archived News - 2nd Jan 2007

African Cup of Nations News

Features

Archived News

Oba Dedicates Goal Rush To Kanu

Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins has thanked his international strike partner Nwankwo Kanu for helping him to retain his self-belief whilst he adjusted to football in England- and vowed to now overtake the former Nigeria captain in the Premiership goalscoring stakes!

After a slow start to his fledgling Newcastle career, 6-goal Martins has hit a rich vein of form over the past month and is now just three behind the Pompey striker in the race for the golden boot. Kanu has nine goals to his name so far this campaign, whilst fellow African Didier Drogba, Cote d'Ivoire captain, leads the way with 13 efforts.

"At first I was really anxious and that is why I couldn't find any form, but friends like Kanu and [Joseph] Yobo talked to me and encouraged me to settle down.

"Learning the ropes was tough and the pressure really played on my nerves but I knew the moment I relaxed and concentrated on my game the goals would start pouring in."

Martins got off to the worst possible start to life in the Premiership when he suffered internal bleeding to the knee on his debut against Aston Villa and had to be stretchered off the field of play after barely an hour.

The 22-year-old then returned to the first team at a time when Glenn Roedaer's team was lacking confidence and options following a debilitating injury list.

But 'Obagoal's' biggest challenge was to overcome the sceptics nostalgically pining for the club's former number nine, the legendary Alan Shearer. It was the shirt number the former Inter player had requested himself, however, and his name now looks more than worthy of adorning it. Having silenced the doubters with his full-repertoire of goals Shearer's replacement now has other big names on his mind. "I respect other strikers but I am here on a mission," Oba told the British press at the weekend. "Beating Drogba and Ronaldo would be nice for me. Being top scorer in my first Premiership season wouldn't be a bad idea, though it is not an easy task!"

Senegal To Host Angola's World Cup Stars

Senegal, the surprise package of Fifa World Cup 2002, are to host Angola, the African upstarts of last year's edition, in an international friendly on February 7. Angola's dour but pragmatically efficient brand of football brought the Southern Africans commendable draws with World Cup veterans Mexico and Iran in Germany 2006. Senegal's Ternaga Lions did Africa proud in Japan/Korea 2002 by eliminating France and marching on to the quarter-finals.

The friendly serves as a warm up for the resumption of the preliminary rounds of African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008. Angola currently top ANC qualifying group 6 but Senegal are only second in group 7, surprisingly trailing Tanzania.

The Dakar International is just one of several intriguing ties featuring African sides to be played on February 7. Others include Ghana's West African derby with Nigeria (London), Tunisia's visit to North African rivals Morocco (Casablanca) and a rare European test for African Champions Egypt against Sweden in Cairo.

Tornado Carries Yeboah XI To Victory

A brace of goals from Black Stars captain Stephen 'Tornado' Appiah helped a 'Yeboah XI' beat a 'Baffoe XI' in a battle of the two Tonys in a charity match in aid of African orphans in Sekondi, Ghana last Saturday (Dec 30).

Former Ghana legends Tony Baffoe and Tony Yeboah captained two all-star teams in a stellar ensemble featuring everyone from Matthew Amoah to Sulley Muntari to Laryea Kingston. Even former France captain Marcel Desailly dusted off his old boots to help out the underprivileged children of his country of birth.

The Baffoe XI took the lead after just ten minutes when Udinese winger Muntari set the tone for the game with an opportunistic early strike. Appiah restored parity in the 55th minute only for Liberty Professionals striker Emmanuel Allan to instantly hand the initiative back to Bafoe's side.

As if bristled by the goal-scoring impact of a ‘mere' domestic-based talent, Amoah brought the Yeboah XI back on level terms just as swiftly before Fenerbache's finest, that man Appiah again, got the winner in the dying minutes.

Funds raised from the match are expected to reach ¢40 million and will be given to Orphan Cry and the Rehabilitation Centre of the Department of Social Welfare in Sekondi.

"If we have to do it over and over again we will consider it a duty to society and will not hesitate to do it," said Yeboah after the match.

Please forward all press releases and feature ideas to Barney Cullum on barney@newafricansoccer.co.uk