As we look forward to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Cote D’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com through our Football Reporter Samuel Areo will via this section “AFCON Blues” bring you daily round-up on happenings in different camps of the teams taking part in the 34th edition of the continental showpiece, starting today with the Black Stars of Ghana.
Black Stars to camp in Kumasi
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), has announced a change in camping base for the Black Stars who will now be camped in Kumasi ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, instead of the previously announced Johannesburg, South Africa.
The change, according to the statement from the GFA, came after a review meeting between the Management & Technical Team.
Ghana, who were originally scheduled to open a training camp in South Africa on Sunday, December 31, 2023, ahead of the AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, will now camp in Kumasi starting from Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Similarly, an international friendly against Botswana scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, in Johannesburg has been called off and the FA are keen to find a new opponent for the team as part of the build-up to the tournament in Abidjan.
The Black Stars are paired in Group B alongside Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. The Stars will open their campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, before taking on record holders Egypt on January 18 and play Mozambique on January 22 in the final Group game.
Choupo-Moting dropped from Cameroon’s AFCON roster
Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is notably absent from Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, as revealed by head coach Rigobert Song on Thursday.
Choupo-Moting has been a regular for the side since the last AFCON in 2021 but Song has made the bold decision to omit him, stating,
“We all know he is an important player. However, one has to make choices.”
Still aside the Black Stars of Ghana news, Song has included other international stars playing abroad, such as Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and Besiktas striker Vincent Aboubakar.
Also in his squad, the former captain selected only two players who currently play in Cameroon: forward Leonel Ateba and midfielder Wilfried Nathan Douala.
“We are all convinced the youngsters (Ateba and Douala) are keen to live their dream,” said Song, praising their level of performance and motivation.
Cameroon Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Manchester United/ENG), Devis Epassy (Abha FC/KSA), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille/FRA), Fabrice Ondoa (Nimes/FRA)
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al-Raed Saudi/KSA), Harold Moukoudi (AEK Athens/GRE), Oumar Gonzalez (Al-Raed Saudi/KSA), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient/FRA), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders/USA), Christopher Wooh (Rennes/FRA), Enzo Tchato (Montpellier/FRA), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City/ENG), Malcom Bokele (Bordeaux/FRA)
Midfielders: Yvan Neyou (Leganes/ESP), Olivier Kemen (Kayserispor/TUR), Olivier Ntcham (Samsunspor/TUR), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli/ITA), Wilfried Nathan Douala (Victoria United), Ben Elliot (Reading/ENG)
Forwards: Karl Toko-Ekambi (Abha/KSA), George-Kevin Nkoudou (Damac/KSA), Vincent Aboubakar (Besiktas/TUR), Faris Pemi Moumbagna (Bodo Glimt/NOR), Francois Mughe (Marseille/FRA), Frank Magri (Toulouse/FRA), Leonel Ateba (Dynamo de Douala), Clinton Njie (Sivasspor/TUR)
Morlaye Sylla left out of Guinea’s AFCON squad
Arouca midfielder Morlaye Sylla has been left out of the Guinea squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament after falling out with the manager over a shirt he swapped with Vinicius Junior.
According to RMCSport, Sylla failed to make the squad after reportedly getting into an argument with teammates and the manager after their 4-1 loss to Brazil in an international friendly back in June.
Following the defeat, the 25-year-old swapped shirts with Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr before the shirt mysteriously disappeared in the dressing room. An aggrieved Sylla started to point fingers at teammates before accusing manager Kaba Diawara of theft.
Tensions increased when he then insisted on doing a comprehensive search of the entire dressing room. Despite being capped 23 times, Sylla has not yet offered an apology and has paid a heavy price by missing the eagerly awaited event.
