<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/outofafricauk.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/palanquinha_can2010.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="566"></figure></div>Now that’s what I call a tournament mascot. I don’t need modern interpretations of peace, harmony and good will like the dreadful trio that South Korea and Japan gave us in 2002. Dreadful mascots and a dreadful tournament. I want giant animals or characters that can play football or playing football. This is Palanquina, who is based on the famed Angolan <a href="http://www.wild-about-you.com/GameGiantSable.htm" target="_blank">Giant Sable Antelope</a>, a rare animal now only found in one region of Angola. A proper mascot if there ever was one.
Well if the first round of matches showed us anything, then it was not to take anything for granted. Whilst some semblance of order returned in the second round of games, there were still some shocks and one of the best games you will see all year and allegations of match fixing. Just a normal continental football tournament then!

So Group A saw Algeria recover to beat under-performing Mali 1-0 on Thursday to get them back on track and put Mali facing the exit, but more on that later. Angola continued there fine form with a convincing 2-0 win of Malawi, with Manucho getting another goal. This meant that all Angola and Algeria needed was a 0-0 draw today for them both to qualify, regardless of how many goals Mali scored against Malawi. Can you guess what the final score was?
Apparently, the group stages are decided on head to head results, though the irony of Algeria being involved in a dodgy result after the 1982 World Cup saw them eliminated through exactly the same thing is rather a shame. Yet, Mali have only themselves to blame, they simply never got going until it was too late.
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/outofafricauk.files.wordpress.com/source/xxxii/302/images/Spic1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="368"></figure></div>
Group B gave us only one game on Friday, but what a match it was. A clash of real international heavyweights was end to end all through the game and Ivory Coast broke the deadlock in the first half, with Gervinho getting the opener. Ghana pushed and pushed but the Ivory Coast held on until half time. 10 minutes in to the second half though, Ghana looked to have the advantage when Emmanuel Eboue was sent off for a reckless two footed challenge.
This seemed to have the opposite effect though and with Drogba in mesmerising form, Ghana were torn to shreds and found themselves 3-0 down through Tiene and Drogba and the lack of real experience and quality in the Ghana side was compounded. Saturday brought further bad news and not just for the Black Stars, when Michael Essien was ruled out for the rest of the competition.<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/18/michael-essien-chelsea-knee-ligament-injury" target="_blank">With him on crutches, Chelsea will be hopeful that the knee injury is not too serious.</a>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/outofafricauk.files.wordpress.com/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/1/18/1263844100212/michael-essien-ghana-001.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="276"></figure></div>
Ghana play Burkina Faso tomorrow knowing a win is the only thing that will get them through the group.
Group C saw Egypt continue with their remarkable from so far in Angola 2010, with another 2-0 win though it was a tough game at times, but another great game of football. Unfancied Mozambique had chances to score before conceding a harsh own goal, then missed chances to draw themselves level before Egypt finished them off with a superb turn and volley from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW5M85mIYAk" target="_blank">Mohamed Gedo</a>. The Pharoahs are looking good once again.
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/outofafricauk.files.wordpress.com/images_root/image_pictures/0001/5534/random_key_50867_file_Egypt.1_feature.jpg" alt="" width="358" height="243"></figure></div>
Nigeria, still hurting from their opening game loss against Egypt struggled to beat Benin 1-0, thanks to a Yakubu penalty in the 42nd minute. Despite all the experience, they looked sluggish and were also hit with an injury to key defender Joseph Yobo. If Benin had been more ruthless in front of goal, the Nigerians would be going home. Instead, a point against Mozambique will see them through.
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/outofafricauk.files.wordpress.com/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/1/17/1263767417782/Samuel-Etoo-001.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="276"></figure></div>
Finally in Group D, Cameroon huffed and puffed after their humiliating defeat against Gabon to win 3-2 against Zambia despite being a goal down until the 68th minute. Geremi equalised and Eto’o put them 2-1 up but Zambia came back again to equalise with an 82nd minute penalty. To the rescue rode Idrissou with a late header to steal the win and keep Cameroon’s disappointing tournament on track. They need to get going soon because someone is going to take them apart if they’re not careful.
In the final game, surprise package, Gabon, battled to a fine 0-0 draw with Tunisia to keep themselves on track to reach the quarter finals. Tunisia meanwhile now know that the only way they’ll be through to the next stage is to beat Cameroon on Thursday. Now that is a game I’m looking forward to.
So there you have it, a bit of scandal, top Premiership players injured, unfancied Premiership players such as Daniel Cousin and Manucho doing their countries proud and a couple of big surprises. The next 3 days will be very interesting indeed and its been a great tournament so far. I’ll be back with another round up after Sunday’s first Quarter finals.
Qualified for Quarter Finals: Algeria, Angola, Egypt
Out and heading home: Mali and Malawi
On the edge of elimination: Ghana and Cameroon. Ghana have to win, Cameroon have to not lose.

African Cup Of Nations Round Up: Days 5-9

African Cup Of Nations Round Up: Days 5-9 - World Soccer Talk

Looking for bargain players below the top price in each position? There are some great valued players to be had if you’re looking to free up some cash for that “big” signing. Kevin picks out two from each position and tells you why you should be investing in these great valued players.
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-full wp-image-11339" src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/51742_feature.jpg" alt="51742_feature" width="358" height="243"></figure></div>Joe Hart (BI) – Birmingham’s on loan goalkeeper has already made four clean sheets, plus gathering a number of save points. With his next three games being Bolton, Burnley and Arsenal he is most certainly one of the best valued #1’s around, at just 4.1.
Thomas Sorensen (SC)– Like Hart, Sorensen is 4.1 but has racked up the same number of points after four clean sheets, two bonus points and a number of save points to boot. Stoke’s next three fixtures are Manchester Utd, Everton and West Ham, so caution over whether or not you feel he can score points.
Richard Dunne (AV) – Dunne’s price has gone up 0.2 since his move from Manchester City, and he’s now 5.2 which is still a great bargain. He’s played two games with Villa, and has helped them to two clean sheets, as well as scoring four bonus points in these two games. Get in quickly, you won’t find many better scorers at such a good rate, his price is only going to go up and up.
Joseph Yobo (EV) – After their dreadful start to the season, Yobo price plummeted to 5.8 – like a number of Everton players. With the Goodison ship now steadied, and the trio of Portsmouth, Stoke and Wolves coming up over the next few weeks Yobo will be a certain tip to pick up some valuable clean sheet points, and maybe even a goal.
Yossi Benayoun (LI) – After a quiet start to the season, Yossi’s price went down before shooting back up to 7.6 post-Burnley hat trick. The Israeli midfielder seems to have finally secured himself a starting eleven berth at Liverpool, and his dancing feet will most certainly pick up more goals and more assists as the season goes on.
James Milner (AV) – Milner’s price dropped to 6.9, but after picking up a fantastic 14 points last weekend against Portsmouth his value will go back up to 7.0 before the week is over. Milner has taken on penalty kick duties after the departure of Gareth Barry and Ashley Young’s misses, as well as playing a key role across the midfield. Expect more goals and assists from James over the course of thes season.
Darren Bent (SU) – Just look no further. After starting the season at 7.0, Darren is currently available at a whopping 7.4 – so there’s a big chance someone else in your league has him too. But after five goals, he’s become a bit of a necessity because you can’t get a cheaper striker on such hot form. His clinical finishing is sure to continue, and his price is going to keep rising, so fi you’ve a striker around the same price no scoring goals, get Bent in.
Craig Bellamy (MC) – This is an odd one, but Bellamy has been on superb form this season despite the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez to City’s attack. He scored a fantastic brace last weekend against United, and with the suspension to Adebayor expect Bellamy to start the next couple of games. If he survives any FA charges after his “incident” last week, he might be a shrewd move and I doubt many other managers in your league would have him at 7.9
You can read more from Kevin over on his football site, <a href="http://backpagefootball.com/">Back Page Football</a>, plus much more. If you’d like to get involved their, shoot him an email.

Fantasy League &#8211; Valued Players To Buy

Fantasy League - Valued Players To Buy - World Soccer Talk

Fantasy League – Valued Players To Buy

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7964" src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/3285238170_fda8be26e21.jpg" alt="3285238170_fda8be26e21" width="500" height="363"></figure></div>
The last dance of the season, of every season, the FA Cup Final is the jewel in the English Football Crown. Last year’s final between&nbsp;Cardiff and Portsmouth&nbsp;was arguably the exception, but this year’s certainly isn’t:
Underdogs Everton come into the final for the first time in 14 years, since Joe Royle’s infamous ‘dogs of war’ – led by the terrifying Duncan Ferguson – beat Manchester United in a final that was described by many as “rubbish”. This is David Moyes’ first appearance in an English&nbsp;FA Cup Final, as either a player or manger, but with the experienced Phil Neville leading the side, there is no shortage of big match experience. Neville himself&nbsp;is going for his&nbsp;fourth FA Cup triumph, after wins in 1996, 1999 and 2004 with Manchester United. A crucial penalty&nbsp;in the semi final against his former club, he says,&nbsp;was the first time that he&nbsp;really&nbsp;“felt like an Everton player” despite being captain for two years. Hmmm. Unfortunately,&nbsp;talented centre&nbsp;half&nbsp;Phil Jagielka misses out on the Wembley&nbsp;showpiece with a knee&nbsp;injury sustained in a game against Manchester City on 25th April. Nigerian Joseph Yobo is likely to take his place in the back four.
Favourites Chelsea&nbsp;bid a fond&nbsp;farewell to Guus Hiddink on Saturday, after the dutchman guided the Blues to third position in the league and a European Cup semi final, as well as tomorrow’s FA Cup Final. Midfield maestro Frank Lampard&nbsp;has been passed fit to play as Chelsea are&nbsp;bidding to add to their FA Cup haul of&nbsp;four, the last of those being in 2007, where a Didier Drogba goal in extra time saw off league&nbsp;champions&nbsp;Manchester United. Like Moyes, this is&nbsp;Hiddink’s first taste of&nbsp;an&nbsp;English FA Cup Final, but as a European Cup winner with PSV in 1988, he is no stranger to success and the battle of wits between the Scot and the Dutchman could be where this game could be decided.
You better<a href="http://epltalk.com/fa-cup-final-live-blog-everton-v-chelsea/7961"> add this to your favourites </a>before you go to bed because&nbsp;&nbsp;it’s an early start American viewers, so bring your coffee and join me at around 9.30 EDT (2.30pm GMT, so not that early my fellow Brits) for this season’s denouement. Should be a good one. Maybe. <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&amp;task=siteviewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=ec1d6fab63&amp;height=550&amp;width=470" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for the live blog.
<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&amp;task=siteviewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=ec1d6fab63&amp;height=550&amp;width=470"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/cooltext87958065.png" alt="cooltext87958065.png"></figure></div></a>
Editor’s Note: During the FA Cup Final live blog/chat experience on EPL Talk today, host Michael Scallon will be awarding an official EPL Talk T-Shirt to one lucky winner. Log in to find out how to win.

FA Cup Final Live Blog: Everton v Chelsea

FA Cup Final Live Blog: Everton v Chelsea - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Joseph Yobo. Find out about all the news related to Joseph Yobo on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Joseph Yobo"

News

African Cup Of Nations Round Up: Days 5-9

News

Fantasy League – Valued Players To Buy

News

FA Cup Final Live Blog: Everton v Chelsea