AFCON 2015: Ivory Coast land in Quarter finals, Guinea and Mali left hanging

Google Image: CIV

It was indeed a display of best of African football artistry, as ''Power'' houses Cameroon and Ivory Coast did battle on wednesday while Guinea and Mali also trade tackles to decided who goes through to the knock out stage of the on-going African cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon had it tough and quite rough as the Elephant trampled on the Lions the battle securing a lone goal victory enough to see them through to the qaurter finals of the competition. It was Max Gradel's 35th minutes strike that sent Cameroon packing from Malabo.

In the other fixture between Guinea and Mali, it was all-square as they finished one goal appease, tied on points on the table and hang their fate of progression in luck.

CAF has announced that the winner will be decided later today when the Lots will be drawn using Article 74 of Afcon Regulations.

Let's see who gets favoured as the quarter finals commence on Saturday.

Samuel Etoo flies the Flag for Cameroon ahead of Mali AFCON Tie

Google Image: Samuel Etoo

Samuel Etoo is urging the present crop of Indomitable Lions to fly the country's flag so high as they tackle Mali in their AFCON 2015 opening game on Tuesday.

Cameroon Flag: Twitter/@setoo9

The striker who currently plays for Everton FC in England shared the image via Twitter.

He use to be the Captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, represented his country in several Africa Cup of Nation and retired from national team duties after the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Afcon 2015: Nigeria miss out, see countries that made it through

Title holders Nigeria will not be at Equatorial Guinea to defend the title they won last year, thanks to a 2-2 draw the west Africa played against South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday evening.

The African champions finished 3rd place in Group A with 8points, two points behind Congo who pip Sudan 1-0 to secure an automatic slot after Bafana Bafana maintained their lead as winner of the group with 12points.

Here are the teams that made it through:
Equatorial Guinea (hosts), Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia

Good luck to them all, name your favourites for the title.

Suddenly, the Brazilians are worried ahead of semi final clash against Germany

Suddenly the Brazilians are worried, terrified and angry. For obvious reasons you'll say. Following the early exit of their star striker, Neymar, worsened by the suspension of the team's captain Thiago Silva and confronted by the machines from Germany who have not been convincing themselves but have always picked necessary result from each game.

The Germans are in a confident mood and full in strength having all their players 100% fit as reports reveal.

Estadio Mineirao will be lightened up on Tuesday night, but without much spark from the camp of Les Selecao owing to Neymar's absence as he seemed to be responsible for driving the attack. The rest of the team must prove their worth and show to the entire world that they have a team that can survive without the Barcelona star.

What does Thiago Silva bring to the team? Solidity, confidence, blocking and above all Leadership.

It might just be their best match tonight without the missing duo but that will be if they turn up and take the match to the Germans or have it otherwise.

History has it that both teams have met 21 times, including games contested by the former West Germany. The Selecao can only claim four wins compared to 12 for the Germans, with five draws.

How they reached the semis
They topped Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon, Brazil saw off Chile following penalties in the first knockout stage to progress to the quarter-finals. Their subsequent clash with Colombia could have fallen apart in the dying minutes after Los Cafeteros scored a late penalty, but Brazil held on for a 2-1 win, booking their place in the final four.

How they reached the semis
Germany topped a tough group featuring the U.S.A, Portugal and Ghana, before eventually seeing Algeria off in extra time during their round of 16 clash. Up next were France, who had looked one of the strongest sides in the competition until that stage, but Joachim Low’s side managed.

Round of 16: Brazil to play Chile, Holland face Mexico

Neymar was the closure of all eyes as Brazil took Cameroon to the cleaners beating the Africans 4-1 in the last Group A game on Monday night which confirmed the host as the leader of the Group.

The Barcelona star grabbed a brace in the encounter to increase his goal tally in the tournament to four.

In the other Group game Mexico defeated Croatia to also confirm a place in the next round and will be facing Group B leaders Holland.

Chile also qualified from Group B and have set a date the the host nation Brazil in an all south American affair.

Brazil 2014: Song bags three-match ban for elbowing Mandzukic

Alex Song has been handed a three match ban after he was sent off for elbowing Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Indomitable Lions were already a goal down, when the Barcelona player was dismissed for the offence. They went on to lose 4-0 and are already out of the World Cup.

According to the statement, the former Arsenal man will miss the next two international games having missed the final Group game against Brazil on Monday.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided today to suspend Song for three matches and impose a fine of CHF 20,000 for breaching art. 48 par. 1 d) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC),” a FIFA statement read.

“The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming World Cup fixture between Cameroon and Brazil on 23 June 2014, with the remaining two to be served at the next official matches of the Cameroon national team"

Meanwhile, Cameroon were beaten 4-1 by the host Brazil on Monday to confirm their exit having lost all three matches in the Group.