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Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia set up final clash

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:16:00 GMT

Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia are poised to meet in what is expected to be an emotional CAF Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday after defeating Mali and Ghana respectively in the semi-finals.

Gervinho strike sees Côte d’Ivoire through

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:16:00 GMT

Côte d’Ivoire have booked their place in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations final after a 1-0 victory over Mali in the semi-finals, setting up a clash for the title against Zambia on Sunday.

Zahoui: Being favourites is difficult

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:06:00 GMT

Côte d’Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui is hoping his Elephants can carry the weight of expectation against Mali on Wednesday where a place in the continental final - and a meeting against either Ghana or Zambia - is on the line.

Rohr: Gabon leave with heads held high

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:56:00 GMT

Despite narrowly losing out to Mali in yesterday's quarter-final, Gabon coach Germot Rohr has said that the co-hosts can be proud of giving their all and should leave the tournament with their heads held high.

Giresse dismisses Gabon revenge notion

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:46:00 GMT

Mali coach Alain Giresse rejected notions of revenge after his side edged Gabon in Sunday's CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final to deny the co-hosts a first ever appearance in the last four.

Keita keeps nerve to send Mali into semis

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:19:00 GMT

Seydou Keita scored the winning spot-kick as Mali progressed to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals by knocking out co-hosts Gabon on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Gabon face former coach Giresse

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:24:00 GMT

Co-hosts Gabon put their 100 per cent record on the line against Mali, led by their former coach Alain Giresse, in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals tomorrow.

Berthe: Eagles hope to seize opportunity

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:41:00 GMT

Ahead of the weekend's CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, Mali's Ousmane Berthe sizes up opponents Gabon, the importance of Seydou Keita and winning a spot in Alain Giresse's defence.

Kante and Keita - Mali's Special Ks

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:38:00 GMT

Mali owe their appearance in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in no small part to veterans Cedric Kante and Seydou Keita.

Last eight eye African glory

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:08:00 GMT

The 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals take place across this weekend in central Africa with a number of new names still in contention for the continent's greatest prize, including co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana, Mali complete quarter-final line-up

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:07:00 GMT

Ghana and Mali are the final teams through to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations last eight after a dramatic final day in Group D with Botswana and Guinea also in contention until the final whistle.

Mali beat Botswana to reach last eight

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:13:00 GMT

Mali clinched second place in Group D at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations to seal their first passage through to the quarter-finals in eight years with a 2-1 win over Botswana.

New faces lighting up Cup of Nations

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:33:00 GMT

After ten days of action, the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations has already provided a host of shock results and exciting new stars. Here are a half-dozen breakout names from Africa’s showpiece championship.

QPR complete Diakite signing

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:33:00 GMT

Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of Nancy defensive midfielder Samba Diakite, who has joined on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent.

Ayew, Gyan put Ghana on brink

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:43:00 GMT

Ghana are on the brink of claiming a spot in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after goals from Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew secured a 2-0 win over Mali.

Gyan fit to start for Ghana

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:07:00 GMT

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic says Asamoah Gyan will start against Mali in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group D match today, after the striker recovered from an ankle injury.

Ghana face up to derby rivals Mali

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:41:00 GMT

Two winning teams will face off when Group D CAF Africa Cup of Nations action resumes on Saturday as continental heavyweights Ghana face west African rivals Mali with top spot on the line.

Ghana, Mali edge opening wins

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:36:00 GMT

Continental giants Ghana commenced their 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over tournament debutants Botswana, while Mali won by the same scoreline in their derby meeting with Guinea.

Traore blast spurs Mali

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:31:00 GMT

A powerful strike from Bakaye Traore was enough to hand Mali an opening win over rivals Guinea 1-0 in Group D of the CAF African Nations Cup.

Mali lose Traore to injury

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:35:00 GMT

Mali's preparation for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations has been struck by another injury blow, with striker Mahamane Traore now ruled out of the tournament with a foot problem.

Guinea, Mali begin with derby

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:15:00 GMT

Mali captain Seydou Keita is expecting a difficult encounter when his side begin their CAF Africa Cup of Nations quest with a west African derby against Guinea, who hope to reach the knockout rounds.

Sissoko: Pressure is positive

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:13:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain's Malian midfielder Mohamed Sissoko speaks to FIFA.com about life at the big-spending Ligue 1 leaders, the future for his national team and the prospect of playing alongside his two brothers.

Mali sweat on Yatabare, Traore fitness

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:41:00 GMT

Mali face a tense wait to see whether Mustapha Yatabare or Mahamane Traore will be fit for their opening game of Group D against Guinea, having both picked up knocks in training.

Who will win the Cup of Nations?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know which country you think will win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2012

A showpiece rich on talent and thrills

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:45:00 GMT

Despite the absence of some of the continent’s biggest names, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off this weekend, promises to throw up more than a few surprises and thrills.

The Cup of Nations in numbers

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:54:00 GMT

First played over 50 years ago, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is one of the world's most colourful and competitive tournaments. Here we look at 13 facts that you may not know about the continental finals.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:08:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks forward to a week of birthdays in the footballing world, including African stars El-Hadji Diouf, Seydou Keita and Karim Haggui as well as former Yugoslavian legends Pedrag Mijatovic and Alen Boksic.

Pardew rules out striker move, targets defender

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:23:00 GMT

Despite Demba Ba’s imminent departure for international duty and the collapse of Modibo Maiga's proposed move to Newcastle United, Alan Pardew has revealed the club are looking to sign a defender rather than a striker.

Yaya Toure wins African prize

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:06:00 GMT

Manchester City's Yay Toure has been crowned African Player of the Year by CAF, beating Marseille's Andre Ayew and Barcelona's Seydou Keita to the prize.

Adriano at the double as Barça cruise

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:22:00 GMT

A leg-break to David Villa dampened Barcelona's celebrations despite the European champions strolling to a 4-0 victory over their Asian counterparts Al-Sadd to set up a final with Santos.

Esperance get kind Champions League draw

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:50:00 GMT

Reigning CAF Champions League holders Esperance were given a favourable draw for their first game of the 2012 competition as the continental competition's early rounds were laid out.

Dembele's 'warrior' story

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:04:00 GMT

Mali international Garra Dembele moved from Levski Sofia to Freiburg in the German Bundesliga last summer, and the attacker recently talked to FIFA.com about his rough childhood and his hopes for the future.

Giresse: This is a team with no stars

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:40:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to former France international Alain Giresse about his Mali side’s recent progress, his ambitions ahead of the next CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and his thoughts on their qualifying group for Brazil 2014.

Injury blow for Coulibaly

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:09:00 GMT

Auxerre defender Adama Coulibaly has suffered a broken right foot and will be out of action for eight weeks, a significant blow to the Ligue 1 side as the Malian has featured regularly.

Expectations thrown in African whirlwind

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:26:00 GMT

Nigeria and South Africa will join Egypt and Cameroon on the outside of the continental championship as they both stumbled at home, while the likes of Niger and Libya confirmed unlikely spots in the finals.

Eight qualify but big boys are denied

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:59:00 GMT

A dramatic day of 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action ended with elimination for Nigeria and South Africa, while Angola, Ghana and Tunisia were among those who ensured themselves a place at the tournament.

All to play for on Africa’s final weekend

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:42:00 GMT

Qualifying for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations concludes this weekend with big guns Nigeria and South Africa needing to make up ground to reach the finals, and a host of outsiders aiming to make a bit of history.

Traore in hospital with malaria

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:01:00 GMT

Nancy and Mali midfielder Bakaye Traore will miss training for at least ten days after he was sent to hospital with malaria, the Ligue 1 club confirmed today.

The emerging stars of Africa

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at 11 of the players who have grabbed the spotlight during qualifying for Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012 and are being tipped to do the same during the African Zone preliminaries for Brazil 2014.

Duo qualify as final day looms

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:43:00 GMT

Senegal and Burkina Faso were the big winners over the weekend as the pair booked passage to the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but seven groups remain up for grabs with one qualifying round to go.

Niger edge closer, Uganda stumble

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Niger edged closer to qualifying for next year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a win over South Africa, while Uganda lost to Angola and Nigeria beat Madagascar.

Burkinabe through, Egypt crash out

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defending champions Egypt crashed out to Sierra Leone.

Do or die weekend in Africa

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:57:00 GMT

With all but a handful of teams still in the running to reach the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the continent is set for what should be a dramatic few days of qualifiers this weekend.

Sochaux want Gradel to replace Maiga

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:12:00 GMT

Sochaux have confirmed that they are in discussions with Leeds United over winger Max Gradel as Newcastle United continue to chase the French club's Malian star Modibo Maiga.

Brazil's youngsters return to the top

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Eight years after their last FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph, Brazil lifted the trophy for the fifth time in front of record-breaking crowds at Colombia 2011.

Bordeaux's Traore signs extension

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:55:00 GMT

Bordeaux have signed midfielder Abdou Traore to the club for a further two-years, keeping the 23-year-old Mali international with Les Girondins until 2015.

Behind the scenes at Colombia 2011

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:05:00 GMT

FIFA photographers have gone behind the scenes to bring you an exclusive view of Colombia 2011. From the changing room to the warm-up areas by way of the tunnel, we look at some of their shots.

Mixed feelings as eight bid farewell

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:54:00 GMT

When the sporting disappointment has faded for the eight teams who have exited Colombia 2011 at the first hurdle, memories will remain of an unforgettable FIFA U-20 World Cup experience.

Joy and sorrow on decision day

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:38:00 GMT

The penultimate round of group fixtures at the FIFA U–20 World Cup Colombia 2011 was a day packed with conflicting emotions, as teams' fates were sealed - seeing them progress or head home.

France through, Mali sent packing

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:09:00 GMT

France have finished second in Group A with a 2-0 victory over Mali in Cali, lifted by second-half goals from Cedric Bakambu and Alexandre Lacazette.