African Cup of Nations

Paul mabbott · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 06:20 PM

Anyone else watching? Very refreshing to have football that's free to view and with lots of footballers that we know in the UK!

It's very entertaining and, especially, clean - no diving, no arguing with the ref - or at least, when there is they're booked straight away. And not so many of those stupid goal celebrations that you get in Europe.

Mainly, of course, a lot of skillful football. The best African players have had that for a long time of course but their tactics and even knowledge of the rules wasn't always too good:

YouTube - Brazil - Zaire

NickCantle · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 07:40 PM

Paul, I sincerely hope you're joking about it being clean

Sometimes when we used to watch it, it was right vicious!!! No doubt, the football was excellent and as you say, no nancies writhing around on the floor screaming because they broke a nail. I've never heard the African Cup of Nations described as especially clean though

But yes, I used to love it

To add to that; I agree that they don't dive, but when they foul, they foul hard!

Stewy · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 07:52 PM

BBC SPORT | Football | Africa Cup of Nations | Sudan players involved in fracas

NickCantle · #4 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 08:11 PM

Told ya

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 07:19 PM

Well, I've been watching this quite a lot and there are very few of the two-legged, studs up tackles that we've become used to in England. So, I won't go back on what I said - these are much cleaner games than I'm used to seeing: whether it will stay that way when the going gets heavy, who can say? I think by and large that the bad fouls here are unintentional, clumsy, inept .. at the moment ....

So, who's going to win? At the start I would have said Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and a North African team to be in the semis. I've not been at all impressed by Nigeria nor, really, by Ghana despite their winning all their games fairly easily.
So I'll go for one of them along with Tunisia and Egypt ..... with Cote d'Ivoire who I think are going to win! There's decisive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Paul, I sincerely hope you're joking about it being clean

Sometimes when we used to watch it, it was right vicious!!! No doubt, the football was excellent and as you say, no nancies writhing around on the floor screaming because they broke a nail. I've never heard the African Cup of Nations described as especially clean though

But yes, I used to love it

To add to that; I agree that they don't dive, but when they foul, they foul hard!

Stewy · #6 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 07:26 PM

When's the final Paul? I've seen very little of it so could'nt really comment on a winner and besides the rugby starts this weekend so that is 100% priority!!

Paul mabbott · #7 (**permalink**) 30-01-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewy

When's the final Paul? I've seen very little of it so could'nt really comment on a winner and besides the rugby starts this weekend so that is 100% priority!!

The weekend after next - can't remember whether Saturday or Sunday. Football's more entertaining than rugby so I was interested to read in today's Guardian about proposals to change the rules of the latter game. I admit that I had to give up because I didn't understand so much of the terminology.

coasty · #8 (**permalink**) 31-01-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Well, I've been watching this quite a lot and there are very few of the two-legged, studs up tackles that we've become used to in England.
So I'll go for one of them along with Tunisia and Egypt ..... with Cote d'Ivoire who I think are going to win! There's decisive!

MMM Two footed studs up challenges... Ah but of course you are from Sheffield,,,

Seriousley though I wouldnt describe it as clean but there has been some great football on show,,, Personally I am rooting for Ivory Coast,,, This could be connected to the fact that I have got them in the Office draw...

Andy

Paul mabbott · #9 (**permalink**) 31-01-2008, 03:12 PM

Good luck then! Yes, some of it has been good - and it's helpful that you know most of the players - a quarter of them must be from the English leagues?

Quote:

Originally Posted by coasty

Seriousley though I wouldnt describe it as clean but there has been some great football on show,,, Personally I am rooting for Ivory Coast,,, This could be connected to the fact that I have got them in the Office draw...
Andy

Ukwildlifeo · #10 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 10:22 PM

definately not cleaner - Angola were shoving the ref around today! lol

NickCantle · #11 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 07:53 AM

All in a days work, lol

wyevilla · #12 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Football's more entertaining than rugby....

Oh pl..ease!!!

Stewy · #13 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 12:37 PM

Semi finasl today, Ghana v Cameroon & Ivory Coast v Egypt, might try and catch the Cameroon match if I get the chance.

Paul mabbott · #14 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewy

Semi finasl today, Ghana v Cameroon & Ivory Coast v Egypt, might try and catch the Cameroon match if I get the chance.

Well, my prediction was a Ghana v Ivory Coast final so ....

I think that overall Egypt have been the better team - few weaknesses if not greatly entertaining. Africa's answer to Italy then!

And they did have a major player in the form of Zidane (the name sounds familiar

).... on the other hand, one of the early leavers had a player called Pele.