Egypt beat Guinea to qualify for AFCON 2023

Egypt on Wednesday qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Marrakesh.

Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Ahmed was the man of the match after scoring and providing an assist for the Egyptians.

Serhou Guirassy had given the Guineans a 26th-minute lead, but Trezeguet equalised for Egypt just before the break and then set up Mostafa Mohamed for the winner 11 minutes to time.

The victory saw Egypt move to 12 points after five rounds of matches and have an unassailable lead of nine points to the third-placed team with one round of qualification matches left to play.

Guinea remain second with nine points and will only need a draw in the final qualification match in September to earn a ticket to the final tournament.

Playing with the need to win to assure themselves of a qualification ticket, Guinea started well and were rewarded after 26 minutes when Guirassy tapped home from close range off a well-worked team move.

Issiaga Sylla had made a brilliant run on the left, and once the ball was rolled to his path, he slashed a low cross that was met by the waiting feet of Guirassy, with the keeper well beaten.

Guinea were rewarded for their industrious start and dominated possession, with Egypt struggling to find their feet in the duel.

But, the Pharaohs battled to draw level four minutes to the break.This was when Trezeguet fired home from the outside of his boot from inside the box after being picked out by a sleek through ball from Mohamed Salah.

With an all-square scoreline at the break, the second half would always see a rise in tempo.

Guinea once again had the first knock on the door, this time Naby Keita trying his luck with a shot from a Francois Kamano cross, but it rolled well into the keeper’s arms.

Youngster Illaix Moriba also had a chance with a shot from the edge of the box, but it flew over.

Egypt slowly crawled back into the duel and stepped up the tempo further.

Guinea keeper Ibrahim Kone made a brilliant save in the 70th minute to deny Trezeguet’s deflected shot.

But, the Pharaohs got their winner 11 minutes to time when Mostafa fired from inside the box after a delightful cutback from Trezeguet, finding him unmarked.

Guinea tried to push for an equalizer which would have been enough to hand them a qualification ticket, but Egypt guarded their single-goal advantage well.

ECOWAS sanctions Guinea, Mali army rulers, insists on transition

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has imposed sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze on Mali and Guinea’s Army rulers.

The decision was taken by the West African leaders at meeting in, Accra, Ghana, on Thursday, making the sanctions the bloc’s toughest response to a spate of coups in the region.

The ECOWAS sanctions also extend to family members of the junta leaders just the body demanded a quick return to civilian rule in the two countries.

The demand came after a summit of the 15-nation regional group to decide how to respond to the September 5 ouster of Guinean President Alpha Conde, by special forces troops led by Col. Mamady Doumbouya.

At the meeting, the West African leaders also piled more pressure on Mali’s transitional government, demanding they stick to an agreement to organize elections next February.

It announced sanctions on those it said were frustrating efforts for a return to constitutional rule.

In May, Mali junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita staged another coup, deposing a transitional administration in which he was vice president.

He has pledged to stick to the old transition schedule but his government has been accused of dragging its feet on efforts to achieve civilian rule.

Guinea‘s junta was due to hold its last day of consultations on the future of the country in Conakry on Friday.

ECOWAS condemns Guinea coup, demands immediate release of ousted President

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of ousted Guinean President Alpha Condé and other detained persons.

The Guinean military had in the early hours of Sunday captured the President and put him in detention in the capital, Conakry.

The leader of the military junta, Col. Mamady Doumbouya, said the 83-year-old Conde was captured following hours of gunfire in the capital, and warned the people to stay indoors.

The Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Nana Akufo-Addo, in a statement expressed concern at the recent political developments in the West African country.

The statement read: “ECOWAS notes with great concern the recent political developments which occurred in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. She condemns with the greatest firmness this coup attempt on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

ECOWAS demands respect for the physical integrity of the President of the Republic, the Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release as well as that of all the personalities arrested

“ECOWAS reaffirms its disapproval of any unconstitutional political change. She asks the defense and security forces to remain in a posture Republican and expresses its solidarity with the Guinean people and Government.”

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