Ivory Coast have replaced coach Ulrich Stielike just two weeks before the start of the African Nations Cup.
The Ivorian Football Federation revealed that the German coach resigned after his son fell into a coma.
French coach Gerard Gili, who steered Ivory Coast’s under-23 team to their first Olympic Games in Beijing this year, is taking over from Stielike.
Gili was also part of the Henri Michel’s coaching team at the 2006 Nations Cup.
The Elephants will hold their training camp in Kuwait ahead of the start of the tournament in Ghana on 20 January.
Ivory Coast, runners-up in the previous tournament in Egypt two years ago and among the favourites, face Nigeria in their first match in Group B on 21 January.
They also meet Mali and Benin in group matches. -bbc
FIFA order Everton to release Pienaar
English Premiership Everton have relented and released midfielder Steven Pienaar for the Bafana Bafana training camp being held in Durban ahead of the 2008 Africa Cup of Natio
ns finals in Ghana
Everton were desperate to hold onto the South African for their Carling Cup semifinal, first leg, with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with their midfield already missing influential playmaker Mikel Arteta (suspended) and Leon Osman (broken toe).
While The Toffees claimed that their interpretation of FIFA’s so-called “14-Day” rule is that clubs must release their players for international tournaments 14-days before their first match of the competition, FIFA confirmed to KickOff.com that this was not the case.“No, the rules state that clubs must release players 14-days prior to the opening match of the tournament, not the specific national association’s opening match,” a spokesman said.
“In this case the right lies with the South African Football Association and Steven Pienaar should be released by Everton.”
Indeed, under the FIFA statute relating to the RELEASE OF PLAYERS FOR ASSOCIATION TEAMS, article 1, point 4c, it says: “For the final competition of an international tournament: 14 days before the first match in the competition.” With the opening match of the tournament on January 20 between Ghana and Morocco, it means Pienaar should have pitched-up for duty on January 6.
South Africa’s first match is on January 23 against Angola in Tamale. -Kickoff
Ghaly chooses Derby over Egypt
Zambia’s group C opponet and the defending African Champions Egypt suffered a major setback after midfielder Hossam Ghaly withdrew from the team.Ghaly has not played for Tottenham this seasonEgypt international Hossam Ghaly will not play at the Nations Cup finals as he hopes to complete a move to Derby County.
The midfielder is set to join the English Premier League side from Tottenham Hotspur.
Derby manager Paul Jewell has expressed his interest in Ghaly, but a full commitment from the player is needed by the club.
The 26-year-old has not played since throwing his shirt at the then Tottenham coach Martin Jol towards the end of last season.
“Ghaly told us that he will not be able to play in Ghana because he needs to secure his move to Derby County,” the president of the Egyptian Football Association, Samier Zaher, told BBC Sport.
“We understood his position, especially as it will be too late for him to find another club after the Nations Cup.”
The Nations Cup holders will also be without the services Mohamed Barakat while striker Mido is rated 50/50 for the tournament.-BBC
Ghana’s English-quartet in camp
Claude Le Roy has welcomed his English-quartet to Ghana’s camp base in Abu Dhabi as the Black Stars steadily get on with preparations for the African Cup of Nations.Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, John Paintsil(picture) and Richard Kingson joined the team at midnight on Sunday to raise the squad number to 26.
The group of four have so far completed two training sessions with the rest of the team after taking part in both morning and the late afternoon trainings.The only squad member yet to join in is goalkeeper, Sammy Adjei of Israeli side, Ashdod. Sammy Adjeiâ’s arrival at the Abu Dhabi camp would hand Claude Le Roy a full house as he continues preparations ahead of the competition.
Ghana would get the tournament underway on January 20 at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, the capital, with a game against Guinea in Group A.The group also includes Morocco and Namibia.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers:Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod, Israel), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold, Ghana)
Defenders:John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Dan Opare (Ashantigold, Ghana), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelon, Belgium), John Mensah (Rennes, France), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn, Russia), Francis Dickoh (FC Utretcht, Holland) Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
Midfielders:Anthony Annan (I.K. Start, Norway), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Bernard Kumodzi (Panionios FC, Greece), Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Moussa Narry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma, Italy)
Strikers:Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy), Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn, Russia), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals, Ghana).
Source:Ghanafa
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