Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
THE last stage of group matches in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations ends in Tamale today with Group D teams upping their games to gain qualification into the next round of the tournament.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia lock horns with the Palancas Negras of Angola in Tamale, while the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Teranga Lions of Senegal battle it out at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Both matches will be played simultaneously at 5p.m.
Tunisia and Angola top the group with four points apiece, with Senegal and South Africa trailing them with a point each.
All the Carthage Eagles and the Palancas Negras need is a draw to enable them qualify from the group.
If that happens, then the results of the match between Bafana Bafana and Teranga Lions will be insignificant.
It is for this reason that fans would expect a very competitive duel between Tunisia and Angola to do away with fears being harboured by many that the two teams may play it soft to their own advantage.
Both teams have, however, discounted such unfounded suspicions and said they are going to put up their best to win the match to brighten their chances in subsequent matches and for record purposes.
Tunisia coach, Roger Lemerre, said he was taking one game at a time and promised to come out with a workable strategy to enable his team to fetch the maximum three points at stake.
For his part, Coach Oliviera Goncalves of Angola said his youthful team was prepared to carry the day to boost their morale. He commended his boys for their vintage performance so far.
Angola will certainly want to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time after failed attempts in 1996, 1998 and 2006.
The Palancas Negras, who will host the next Africa Cup of Nations in 2010, hope to achieve this feat by relying on both experience and youthfulness.
Their linchpin and Manchester United-bound Alberto Mateus Manucho, who has so far scored three goals, will lead the Angolan attack, with support from Amando Flavio, who scored their only goal in their 1-1 draw against Iran at Germany 2006, and Batista Nsimba, who was voted the man of the match in their last game.
As to whether Carlos Alonso and his colleagues, who worked tirelessly to contain the Senegalese attack in their last game, would be able to match up to the fast pace and skilful Tunisians is what fans are awaiting to witness at the Tamale stadium today.
But the likes of Francileudo dos Santos, who has netted two goals so far, Mejdi Traoui who has a goal to his credit, and Issam Jemaa of Caen Club in France will be thorns in the flesh of the Angolan defence.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
CAMEROUN, EGYPT QUALIFY FROM GROUP C ...Eto'o sets all time record (1b)
Story: Kwame Asare Boadu in Kumasi
& Zakaria Alhassan in Tamale
EQYPT and Cameroun yesterday emerged the top nations in Group C at the ongoing MTN 26th Africa Cup of Nations tournament to ensure their places in the quarter-final round of the competition.
But at the end of the day, it was Camerounian striker Samuel Eto’o Fils, who cut a significant slice of football history as he eclipsed Ivorian legend Laurent Pokou to become the Africa Cup of Nations all-time leading goal scorer after scoring twice in the Indomitable Lions’ 3-0 victory over the Sokoor Al-Jediane of The Sudan at the Tamale Stadium.
His goals, one in each half of the match, took the striker’s tally to 16, two goals more than the 38-year-old record held by Pokou who achieved the magical 14-goal mark at the 1970 Nations Cup in Sudan.
Cameroun’s emphatic victory not only propelled the team into the quarter-finals stage of the tournament but also sent The Sudan packing home as the only team which failed to score a single goal in the tournament after losing all group matches.
It was a double celebration for the Barcelona striker who was voted MTN Man of the Match and also became the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals. His record-shattering goal came in the 25th minute through spot kick after team-mate Achille Emma was heavily brought down in the penalty box.
Cameroun’s opening goal appeared to have unsettled the Sudanese who subsequently lost focus and succumbed to intense pressure after conceding an own goal in the 34th minute when the ball bounced off Mohammed Alikhidir.
The well-composed Sudanese defence, built around Kuku Damar, Lado Jastein and Hado Yousif frustrated the hungry Lions attackers who were on the prowl in search for more goals.
Determined to redeem their battered image in the tournament, Sudan resumed the second half more strongly but failed to utilise the scoring chances that came their way as they paid dearly for poor shooting and hardly troubled Cameroun goalie Idriss Kameni.
In the dying minutes of the game, Eto’o raised the bar even higher with his all-time 16th goal after capitalising on a counter-attack to fire home Cameroun’s third goal.
Sudan’s only consolation was the Samsung Fair Play award won by Mustafa Karar.
And in Kumasi, hopes by Egypt to complete the group outings unblemished fizzled out as a determined Zambia held them to 1-1 drawn game at the Baba Yara Stadium last night.
The North Africans had plucked a first half goal and were coasting to a marginal victory when the Chipolopolo clawed back valiantly in the 88th minute.
But the Egyptians who topped the group on seven points would remain in Kumasi to meet the runner-up in Group D in the quarter finals.
A vociferous group of supporters from Cairo numbering about 100 and sponsored by Pepsi provided an inspirational back-up to the Pharaohs but that was not enough for the Egyptians to finish on a clean sheet. By the 10th minute it had become clear that the battle was going to be fought on an even keel.
Zambia were defiant even under excessive pressure, fortifying their defence and trying to catch the Egyptians on the break through the middle.
Lanky Zambian striker Jacob Mulenga and skipper Christopher Katongo kept showing signs of changing the game in their favour but persistently lacked the fire power to find a way past experienced Egyptian goalkeeper Esam El-Hadary.
Finding himself in firing range in the 21st minute, Mulenga attempted to deceive El-Hadary with a back flick but failed, while Katongo was denied in the box in the 25th minute by Wahed Said.
When they attempted to secure the wings, Egypt probed for the opener which came after 15minutes.
A sweeping move from the middle saw wing back Wahed Said released in space on the left , and he swung in a crosss for Zamelek striker Amr Zaky to whip the ball past Michal Poto in post for Zambia.
The pendulum remained balanced but it remained clear that Hosni, Abdrabou was missing the partnership of Mohammed Zidan who was kept on the bench by trainer Hassan Shehata.
The Chipolopolo’s game plan was to deplore more men on Hosni and whereas the Ismaily midfielder remained anonymous in the game, the Egyptians could harldy click.
Malian referee Coulibaly Koman booked Zambia’s Isaac Chansa in the 41st minute for a violent tackle as the Zambians tried to cut out the Pharaohs from all angles.
Amr Zaky came up with some unpardonable misses in the second part of the game and he was pulled out after 60minutes for Mohammed Abou Treka.
Zidan was also introduced into the game in the second half but his typical surging runs were absent as Joseph Musonda and Hmonde Hichani trapped him in his tracks.
Unconvinced by the Zambians inability to advance, Coach Patrick Phiri came up with substitutions and this turned the game in their favour. Substitute Phiri Adubelo who replaced Mulenga was industrious and the Egyptian backline found him difficult to handle.
The equalizing goal came two minutes to regulation time when Katongo who had dashed to the left trapped a long ball and turned his marker inside out before powering a right-footed angle shot past El-Hadary. It was a brilliant goal and the Egyptians attempt to fight back failed.
& Zakaria Alhassan in Tamale
EQYPT and Cameroun yesterday emerged the top nations in Group C at the ongoing MTN 26th Africa Cup of Nations tournament to ensure their places in the quarter-final round of the competition.
But at the end of the day, it was Camerounian striker Samuel Eto’o Fils, who cut a significant slice of football history as he eclipsed Ivorian legend Laurent Pokou to become the Africa Cup of Nations all-time leading goal scorer after scoring twice in the Indomitable Lions’ 3-0 victory over the Sokoor Al-Jediane of The Sudan at the Tamale Stadium.
His goals, one in each half of the match, took the striker’s tally to 16, two goals more than the 38-year-old record held by Pokou who achieved the magical 14-goal mark at the 1970 Nations Cup in Sudan.
Cameroun’s emphatic victory not only propelled the team into the quarter-finals stage of the tournament but also sent The Sudan packing home as the only team which failed to score a single goal in the tournament after losing all group matches.
It was a double celebration for the Barcelona striker who was voted MTN Man of the Match and also became the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals. His record-shattering goal came in the 25th minute through spot kick after team-mate Achille Emma was heavily brought down in the penalty box.
Cameroun’s opening goal appeared to have unsettled the Sudanese who subsequently lost focus and succumbed to intense pressure after conceding an own goal in the 34th minute when the ball bounced off Mohammed Alikhidir.
The well-composed Sudanese defence, built around Kuku Damar, Lado Jastein and Hado Yousif frustrated the hungry Lions attackers who were on the prowl in search for more goals.
Determined to redeem their battered image in the tournament, Sudan resumed the second half more strongly but failed to utilise the scoring chances that came their way as they paid dearly for poor shooting and hardly troubled Cameroun goalie Idriss Kameni.
In the dying minutes of the game, Eto’o raised the bar even higher with his all-time 16th goal after capitalising on a counter-attack to fire home Cameroun’s third goal.
Sudan’s only consolation was the Samsung Fair Play award won by Mustafa Karar.
And in Kumasi, hopes by Egypt to complete the group outings unblemished fizzled out as a determined Zambia held them to 1-1 drawn game at the Baba Yara Stadium last night.
The North Africans had plucked a first half goal and were coasting to a marginal victory when the Chipolopolo clawed back valiantly in the 88th minute.
But the Egyptians who topped the group on seven points would remain in Kumasi to meet the runner-up in Group D in the quarter finals.
A vociferous group of supporters from Cairo numbering about 100 and sponsored by Pepsi provided an inspirational back-up to the Pharaohs but that was not enough for the Egyptians to finish on a clean sheet. By the 10th minute it had become clear that the battle was going to be fought on an even keel.
Zambia were defiant even under excessive pressure, fortifying their defence and trying to catch the Egyptians on the break through the middle.
Lanky Zambian striker Jacob Mulenga and skipper Christopher Katongo kept showing signs of changing the game in their favour but persistently lacked the fire power to find a way past experienced Egyptian goalkeeper Esam El-Hadary.
Finding himself in firing range in the 21st minute, Mulenga attempted to deceive El-Hadary with a back flick but failed, while Katongo was denied in the box in the 25th minute by Wahed Said.
When they attempted to secure the wings, Egypt probed for the opener which came after 15minutes.
A sweeping move from the middle saw wing back Wahed Said released in space on the left , and he swung in a crosss for Zamelek striker Amr Zaky to whip the ball past Michal Poto in post for Zambia.
The pendulum remained balanced but it remained clear that Hosni, Abdrabou was missing the partnership of Mohammed Zidan who was kept on the bench by trainer Hassan Shehata.
The Chipolopolo’s game plan was to deplore more men on Hosni and whereas the Ismaily midfielder remained anonymous in the game, the Egyptians could harldy click.
Malian referee Coulibaly Koman booked Zambia’s Isaac Chansa in the 41st minute for a violent tackle as the Zambians tried to cut out the Pharaohs from all angles.
Amr Zaky came up with some unpardonable misses in the second part of the game and he was pulled out after 60minutes for Mohammed Abou Treka.
Zidan was also introduced into the game in the second half but his typical surging runs were absent as Joseph Musonda and Hmonde Hichani trapped him in his tracks.
Unconvinced by the Zambians inability to advance, Coach Patrick Phiri came up with substitutions and this turned the game in their favour. Substitute Phiri Adubelo who replaced Mulenga was industrious and the Egyptian backline found him difficult to handle.
The equalizing goal came two minutes to regulation time when Katongo who had dashed to the left trapped a long ball and turned his marker inside out before powering a right-footed angle shot past El-Hadary. It was a brilliant goal and the Egyptians attempt to fight back failed.
Monday, January 28, 2008
ANGOLA SHOCK SENEGAL 3-1 (Back Page)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
A TACTICALLY disciplined and determined Palancas Negras of Angola yesterday brightened their chances of advancing past the group stage of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after taming the Teranga Lions of Senegal 3-1 in Tamale.
Three well-struck goals by Angola, two of them scored through powerful headers in the second half, dazed the Senegalese who lost focus and began chasing their opponents’ shadows on the field in the cold harmattan weather in a desperate bid to redeem their image.
In their three previous Nations Cup appearances in 1996, 1998 and 2006, Angola were eliminated in the first round but yesterday they had other ideas and unleashed a torrent of attacking football that caught the Lions off guard after the Lions had taken a first half lead through Abdoulaye Faye who opened the floodgates with a 19th minute headed goal.
The Angolans fought back and cancelled the lead on 30 minutes when Alberto Mateus, alias Manucho, outjumped the Senegalese defenders to head home a deserved equaliser.
The Palancas Negras found their rhythm and continued to push forward, stringing together a combination of short and long passes, with Amado Flavio running the show from midfield, and two-goal hero Manucho providing the killer punch in attack. Their telepathic passes, combined with individual brilliance, were greeted with deafening cheers and applause by their supporters until Manucho shot his side into the lead in the 66th minute when he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to score from a tap-in.
With their pride at stake, the Senegalese doubled their efforts and tried to outwit their opponents with counter-attacks, but they met a resolute Angolan defence marshalled by Carlos Alonso and his lieutenants who thwarted the efforts of the Lions, led in attack by skipper El Hadji Diouf.
Coach Henry Kasperczak brought on Babacar Gueye for Frederic Mendy in the 61st minute, while Henri Camara took over from Diomansy Kamara in the 68th minute to beef up the attack but neither player could turn the game around.
Indeed, on a day that the inspirational captain Diouf failed to glitter, coupled with the lacklustre performance of their previously reliable goalkeeper, Tony Sylva, the Lions could not break the resolve of the more aggressive Angolan side which was desperately searching for more goals to seal the doom of the former.
With time running out on Senegal to claw back into the game, Al Ahli striker Flavio drilled the final nail in their coffin as he scored Angola’s third goal in the 78th minute when he headed home a well-taken corner kick.
It was double celebration for Angola as Batista Nsimba was voted the man of the match, while Moustapha Bayal received the fair play award.
A TACTICALLY disciplined and determined Palancas Negras of Angola yesterday brightened their chances of advancing past the group stage of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after taming the Teranga Lions of Senegal 3-1 in Tamale.
Three well-struck goals by Angola, two of them scored through powerful headers in the second half, dazed the Senegalese who lost focus and began chasing their opponents’ shadows on the field in the cold harmattan weather in a desperate bid to redeem their image.
In their three previous Nations Cup appearances in 1996, 1998 and 2006, Angola were eliminated in the first round but yesterday they had other ideas and unleashed a torrent of attacking football that caught the Lions off guard after the Lions had taken a first half lead through Abdoulaye Faye who opened the floodgates with a 19th minute headed goal.
The Angolans fought back and cancelled the lead on 30 minutes when Alberto Mateus, alias Manucho, outjumped the Senegalese defenders to head home a deserved equaliser.
The Palancas Negras found their rhythm and continued to push forward, stringing together a combination of short and long passes, with Amado Flavio running the show from midfield, and two-goal hero Manucho providing the killer punch in attack. Their telepathic passes, combined with individual brilliance, were greeted with deafening cheers and applause by their supporters until Manucho shot his side into the lead in the 66th minute when he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to score from a tap-in.
With their pride at stake, the Senegalese doubled their efforts and tried to outwit their opponents with counter-attacks, but they met a resolute Angolan defence marshalled by Carlos Alonso and his lieutenants who thwarted the efforts of the Lions, led in attack by skipper El Hadji Diouf.
Coach Henry Kasperczak brought on Babacar Gueye for Frederic Mendy in the 61st minute, while Henri Camara took over from Diomansy Kamara in the 68th minute to beef up the attack but neither player could turn the game around.
Indeed, on a day that the inspirational captain Diouf failed to glitter, coupled with the lacklustre performance of their previously reliable goalkeeper, Tony Sylva, the Lions could not break the resolve of the more aggressive Angolan side which was desperately searching for more goals to seal the doom of the former.
With time running out on Senegal to claw back into the game, Al Ahli striker Flavio drilled the final nail in their coffin as he scored Angola’s third goal in the 78th minute when he headed home a well-taken corner kick.
It was double celebration for Angola as Batista Nsimba was voted the man of the match, while Moustapha Bayal received the fair play award.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
CHANCES REALLY OPEN IN GROUP D (Back Page)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
THE chances of group ‘D’ teams in the ongoing MTN African Cup of Nations for qualification to the next stage of the competition have been thrown open following the two drawn games registered in their first matches played at the magnificent Tamale sports stadium last Wednesday.
It is for this reason that their numerous fans are waiting anxiously to know the fate of their respective countries, come Sunday January 27, when the men would be separated from the boys on the lush playing field at the stadium.
The four Tamale-based teams are the Palancas Negras of Angola, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
In last Wednesday’s opening matches, Tunisia and Senegal treated fans to an exhilarating 2-2 drawn game, while in the second match Angola and South Africa also sold out an entertaining football to the cheering crowd. It ended 1-1.
As a result, all the four teams have three points each but only separated by goals aggregate. It is for this reason that fans in Tamale are discussing the chances of the teams in their next matches tomorrow.
The first match will be between Senegal and Angola at 5pm, while Tunisia and South Africa would also lock horns at 7 p.m.
The Bafana Bafana Coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira was right after all when he described the group as fairly balanced, and that ‘‘any team that qualifies from our group is likely to go far in this tournament.’’
Senegalese midfielder, Kamara Diomansy, is hopeful that the Teranga Lions have the potential to lift the unity cup for the first time in this tournament. He was happy that his team was able to secure a draw with Tunisia whom he described as a good team.
Diomansy, who clinched the second goal in the game and was also voted the man of the match in the said match, gave the assurance that, ‘‘I am prepared to score more goals in our subsequent matches.’’
The Angolan Coach, Oliviera Goncalves, also observed that African Football had come of age with every team having its own uniqueness to excel.
According to him, even though his boys caused some blunders in their match against South Africa that resulted in the equalizing goal in the 87th minute, ‘‘we hope to do better in our remaining matches.’’
The technical brain of the Carthage Eagles, Roger Lemere, described this year’s tournament as the most competitive, and that each of the competing teams had the ability to cause upsets.
Come tomorrow, the field will surely determine which of the four teams would qualify to the next stage of the competition. Time will surely tell.
THE chances of group ‘D’ teams in the ongoing MTN African Cup of Nations for qualification to the next stage of the competition have been thrown open following the two drawn games registered in their first matches played at the magnificent Tamale sports stadium last Wednesday.
It is for this reason that their numerous fans are waiting anxiously to know the fate of their respective countries, come Sunday January 27, when the men would be separated from the boys on the lush playing field at the stadium.
The four Tamale-based teams are the Palancas Negras of Angola, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
In last Wednesday’s opening matches, Tunisia and Senegal treated fans to an exhilarating 2-2 drawn game, while in the second match Angola and South Africa also sold out an entertaining football to the cheering crowd. It ended 1-1.
As a result, all the four teams have three points each but only separated by goals aggregate. It is for this reason that fans in Tamale are discussing the chances of the teams in their next matches tomorrow.
The first match will be between Senegal and Angola at 5pm, while Tunisia and South Africa would also lock horns at 7 p.m.
The Bafana Bafana Coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira was right after all when he described the group as fairly balanced, and that ‘‘any team that qualifies from our group is likely to go far in this tournament.’’
Senegalese midfielder, Kamara Diomansy, is hopeful that the Teranga Lions have the potential to lift the unity cup for the first time in this tournament. He was happy that his team was able to secure a draw with Tunisia whom he described as a good team.
Diomansy, who clinched the second goal in the game and was also voted the man of the match in the said match, gave the assurance that, ‘‘I am prepared to score more goals in our subsequent matches.’’
The Angolan Coach, Oliviera Goncalves, also observed that African Football had come of age with every team having its own uniqueness to excel.
According to him, even though his boys caused some blunders in their match against South Africa that resulted in the equalizing goal in the 87th minute, ‘‘we hope to do better in our remaining matches.’’
The technical brain of the Carthage Eagles, Roger Lemere, described this year’s tournament as the most competitive, and that each of the competing teams had the ability to cause upsets.
Come tomorrow, the field will surely determine which of the four teams would qualify to the next stage of the competition. Time will surely tell.
Friday, January 25, 2008
SENEGAL, TUNISIA STICK WITH OFFICIAL HOTEL ...(G/S PAGE 7)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
THE Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are the only teams that have pitched their camps at the designated tournament hotel at the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) 2008 Hostel at the University for Development Medical School campus in Tamale.
The two other teams, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Palancas Negras of Angola, have decided not to join their counterparts at the hotel but are rather putting up at the Miriam and Bigiza hotels respectively.
No immediate reasons have been given for the action of the South African and Angolan teams.
However, sources from Tamale Venue Organising Committee (TVOC) indicate that their decision was informed by the fear that work on the UDS hostel which was started last year might not be completed before the commencement of the tournament.
The Graphic Sports further learnt that the teams wanted to have their privacy by staying away from the privy eyes of their colleagues in order to have full concentration to make an impact on the tournament.
The construction of the three-star status UDS hotel was facilitated by the GetFund to afford comfortable accommodation for the teams that woudld be based in Tamale. The facility, would, however, be taken over by the UDS after the tournament in February this year.
The 126-room three-star hotel facility includes 32 suites, offices for CAF officials who would be based there and specially designed rooms for the physically challenged.
Other facilities at the hotel are a gym fitted with up-to-date equipment, laundry, security features such as Closed Circuit Television (CCT) cameras and an automatic switchover standby generator.
The hotel is being managed by officials of Crystal Rose Hotel Limited in Kumasi, and according to the manager, Mr Akwasi Kumah, “ we also have an ambulance and sick bay includes a doctor’s room and a 200-seater capacity cafeteria and conference hall, all attached.”
He gave the assurance that with the recruitment of a disciplined and professional staff, they were well prepared to offer the best of services to the teams and officials during their stay there.
Another significant development at the hotel is the tarring of the road leading to the facility.
THE Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are the only teams that have pitched their camps at the designated tournament hotel at the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) 2008 Hostel at the University for Development Medical School campus in Tamale.
The two other teams, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Palancas Negras of Angola, have decided not to join their counterparts at the hotel but are rather putting up at the Miriam and Bigiza hotels respectively.
No immediate reasons have been given for the action of the South African and Angolan teams.
However, sources from Tamale Venue Organising Committee (TVOC) indicate that their decision was informed by the fear that work on the UDS hostel which was started last year might not be completed before the commencement of the tournament.
The Graphic Sports further learnt that the teams wanted to have their privacy by staying away from the privy eyes of their colleagues in order to have full concentration to make an impact on the tournament.
The construction of the three-star status UDS hotel was facilitated by the GetFund to afford comfortable accommodation for the teams that woudld be based in Tamale. The facility, would, however, be taken over by the UDS after the tournament in February this year.
The 126-room three-star hotel facility includes 32 suites, offices for CAF officials who would be based there and specially designed rooms for the physically challenged.
Other facilities at the hotel are a gym fitted with up-to-date equipment, laundry, security features such as Closed Circuit Television (CCT) cameras and an automatic switchover standby generator.
The hotel is being managed by officials of Crystal Rose Hotel Limited in Kumasi, and according to the manager, Mr Akwasi Kumah, “ we also have an ambulance and sick bay includes a doctor’s room and a 200-seater capacity cafeteria and conference hall, all attached.”
He gave the assurance that with the recruitment of a disciplined and professional staff, they were well prepared to offer the best of services to the teams and officials during their stay there.
Another significant development at the hotel is the tarring of the road leading to the facility.
SEVERE HARMATTAN HITS TAMALE ....(Page 29)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
A SEVERE harmattan has descended on the people of the Northern Region. The prevailing situation is compelling most of them to stay indoors.
The cold dry winds are also forcing many people to retire early to bed, with some workers reporting late to work.
Even though some schools have re-opened for academic work, many pupils and students are yet to report following the harsh weather conditions in the area.
Cosmetic and second-hand protective clothing dealers are reaping the benefits as most residents are rushing to them to buy their pullovers and jackets to protect themselves against the cold and their skins from becoming dry, particularly the lips that easily crack if not well oiled.
According to a 72-year old retiree, Mallam Iddrisu Musah, ‘‘I suffer so much under this weather for which reason I hardly come out, except during the day. At night, they have to prepare fire to warm my room to enable me to feel comfortable.’’
An 18-year-old rheumatic patient, Ms Helena Amoako, said as a result of her illness, ‘‘I sometimes cry at night and at dawn when it becomes too cold, because those are the times I feel severe pains in my bones, particularly the joints’’.
This year’s harmattan began slowly about three weeks ago, becoming severe at the weekend. Even though the weather is windy and hazy, the Northern Regional Officer incharge of the Meteorological Service Department, Mr Dominic Soami Pokperlaar, told the Daily Graphic that ‘‘the weather is moderate and not too bad to affect the safety of aircraft in the area; they can land safely.’’
He debunked the notion by some residents that the heavy rains in the north last year accounted for this season’s severe harmattan winds.
‘‘Heavy rains have no direct relation to the harmattan as they are two different weather conditions altogether,’’ the officer explained, adding that, ‘‘The general trend is that harmattan began in November the previous year, and sometimes ends in February or March the following year.’’
Mr Pokperlaar, however, acknowledged that his outfit did not have the necessary equipment to give accurate data on the situation, for which reason it relied on the headquarters in Accra for such information.
The seasonal phenomenon occurs in most parts of the country, especially in the northern sector, where the dry winds are blown down from the neighbouring Sahelian regions.
A SEVERE harmattan has descended on the people of the Northern Region. The prevailing situation is compelling most of them to stay indoors.
The cold dry winds are also forcing many people to retire early to bed, with some workers reporting late to work.
Even though some schools have re-opened for academic work, many pupils and students are yet to report following the harsh weather conditions in the area.
Cosmetic and second-hand protective clothing dealers are reaping the benefits as most residents are rushing to them to buy their pullovers and jackets to protect themselves against the cold and their skins from becoming dry, particularly the lips that easily crack if not well oiled.
According to a 72-year old retiree, Mallam Iddrisu Musah, ‘‘I suffer so much under this weather for which reason I hardly come out, except during the day. At night, they have to prepare fire to warm my room to enable me to feel comfortable.’’
An 18-year-old rheumatic patient, Ms Helena Amoako, said as a result of her illness, ‘‘I sometimes cry at night and at dawn when it becomes too cold, because those are the times I feel severe pains in my bones, particularly the joints’’.
This year’s harmattan began slowly about three weeks ago, becoming severe at the weekend. Even though the weather is windy and hazy, the Northern Regional Officer incharge of the Meteorological Service Department, Mr Dominic Soami Pokperlaar, told the Daily Graphic that ‘‘the weather is moderate and not too bad to affect the safety of aircraft in the area; they can land safely.’’
He debunked the notion by some residents that the heavy rains in the north last year accounted for this season’s severe harmattan winds.
‘‘Heavy rains have no direct relation to the harmattan as they are two different weather conditions altogether,’’ the officer explained, adding that, ‘‘The general trend is that harmattan began in November the previous year, and sometimes ends in February or March the following year.’’
Mr Pokperlaar, however, acknowledged that his outfit did not have the necessary equipment to give accurate data on the situation, for which reason it relied on the headquarters in Accra for such information.
The seasonal phenomenon occurs in most parts of the country, especially in the northern sector, where the dry winds are blown down from the neighbouring Sahelian regions.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
TUNISIA, SENEGAL IN THRILLING 2-2 DRAW (1b)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
FOOTBALL fans in Tamale were treated to 90 minutes of rare individual brilliance and team spirit displayed by the Taranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, culminating in a pulsating 2-2 drawn game in their first match in this year’s MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the plush Tamale Sports Stadium.
Both teams began the match on a cautious note but the Tunisians were more purposeful and in the ninth minute Jemaa Issam of FC Caen of France slotted in a beautiful pass from a counter attack that beat goalkeeper Tony Sylva of Senegal.
The Senegalese captain, El Hadji Diouf, then rallied his men to counter attack but their efforts were thwarted by the resilient Tunisian defence that was marshalled around their captain, Jaidi Radhi.
Incessant forays into the half of the Carthage Eagles by the Senegalese, however, yielded the needed equaliser in the 45th minute when Moustapha Bayal set the stadium agog with his 25-yard bullet of a shot into the yawning net of the Tunisians.
Both teams came back from recess more vitalised but the Senegalese looked more determined. They, however, squandered a number of glorious chances, especially in the 48 minute when Diomansy Kamara failed to direct a goal- bound shot into the net.
Senegal was again denied a goal when Diouf’s effort was blocked by the Tunisian keeper, Hamdi Kasraoui, in the 51st minute.
When it became apparent that the Tunisians were tired, they resorted to diving in the 18-yard box of the Lions to win the sympathy of Japanese referee Nichimura Yuichi for a penalty. But the practice rather earned their danger men, Dos Santos and Traoui Mejdi, yellow cards in the 50th and 56th minutes.
The Senegalese, who were cheered on by their vociferous fans, pressed hard for another goal and they were eventually rewarded in the 65th minute when the indefatigable Diomansy Kamara capitalised on a goal mouth melee.
That was after coach Henry Kasperczak of Senegal had pulled out Frederic Mendy in the 60th minute for enterprising Henry Camara to bring more bite upfront.
The substitution of Ousmane Ndoye for Papa Bouba Diop made the Senegalese more potent in attack, as Diouf failed to glitter. And in the 68th minute an incursion by the West Ham player, Camara, was foiled by the resolute Tunisian defence.
Realising that their pride was at stake, the Carthage Eagles became more aggressive, stringing their passes together to the admiration of the excited spectators.
However, Kamel Zaiem was shown the yellow card for a foul in the 70th minute and in the 80th minute Ben Dhifallah came in for Chaker Zouaghi.
It was a matter of course when, in the 81st minute, Mejdi Traoui, who plays for Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, hit a long shot to beat keeper Sylva again, to the consternation of the Senegalese and the admiration of the spectators.
A glancing header by Camara that nearly gave the Senegalese the winning goal in the 85th minute brushed over the wood work.
Mikari Yassin then came to take over from Issam Jemaa, who was visibly tired, in the 85th minute, while Babacar Mbaye of Senegal also came in for Mamadou Niang in the 88th minute. Diomansy Kamara was shown the yellow card in the dying minutes of the interesting game.
FOOTBALL fans in Tamale were treated to 90 minutes of rare individual brilliance and team spirit displayed by the Taranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, culminating in a pulsating 2-2 drawn game in their first match in this year’s MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the plush Tamale Sports Stadium.
Both teams began the match on a cautious note but the Tunisians were more purposeful and in the ninth minute Jemaa Issam of FC Caen of France slotted in a beautiful pass from a counter attack that beat goalkeeper Tony Sylva of Senegal.
The Senegalese captain, El Hadji Diouf, then rallied his men to counter attack but their efforts were thwarted by the resilient Tunisian defence that was marshalled around their captain, Jaidi Radhi.
Incessant forays into the half of the Carthage Eagles by the Senegalese, however, yielded the needed equaliser in the 45th minute when Moustapha Bayal set the stadium agog with his 25-yard bullet of a shot into the yawning net of the Tunisians.
Both teams came back from recess more vitalised but the Senegalese looked more determined. They, however, squandered a number of glorious chances, especially in the 48 minute when Diomansy Kamara failed to direct a goal- bound shot into the net.
Senegal was again denied a goal when Diouf’s effort was blocked by the Tunisian keeper, Hamdi Kasraoui, in the 51st minute.
When it became apparent that the Tunisians were tired, they resorted to diving in the 18-yard box of the Lions to win the sympathy of Japanese referee Nichimura Yuichi for a penalty. But the practice rather earned their danger men, Dos Santos and Traoui Mejdi, yellow cards in the 50th and 56th minutes.
The Senegalese, who were cheered on by their vociferous fans, pressed hard for another goal and they were eventually rewarded in the 65th minute when the indefatigable Diomansy Kamara capitalised on a goal mouth melee.
That was after coach Henry Kasperczak of Senegal had pulled out Frederic Mendy in the 60th minute for enterprising Henry Camara to bring more bite upfront.
The substitution of Ousmane Ndoye for Papa Bouba Diop made the Senegalese more potent in attack, as Diouf failed to glitter. And in the 68th minute an incursion by the West Ham player, Camara, was foiled by the resolute Tunisian defence.
Realising that their pride was at stake, the Carthage Eagles became more aggressive, stringing their passes together to the admiration of the excited spectators.
However, Kamel Zaiem was shown the yellow card for a foul in the 70th minute and in the 80th minute Ben Dhifallah came in for Chaker Zouaghi.
It was a matter of course when, in the 81st minute, Mejdi Traoui, who plays for Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, hit a long shot to beat keeper Sylva again, to the consternation of the Senegalese and the admiration of the spectators.
A glancing header by Camara that nearly gave the Senegalese the winning goal in the 85th minute brushed over the wood work.
Mikari Yassin then came to take over from Issam Jemaa, who was visibly tired, in the 85th minute, while Babacar Mbaye of Senegal also came in for Mamadou Niang in the 88th minute. Diomansy Kamara was shown the yellow card in the dying minutes of the interesting game.
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