Mondays mean that we’re probably still on a sporting high after a bumper weekend, especially if you’re a football fan. Let’s not forget tennis out of Australia. It’s time to catch up with some results with our Weekend Sports Wrap.
Brad K
AFCON 2015 – Updates Day 7-9
In a break from the norm, this weekend delivered quite a good number of goals! And to make it even more thrilling, a big 2-0 win against Gabon, went the way of the hosts, Equatorial Guinea. Lets’ scan over the results of the weekends AFCON 2015 Group D and then Group A games for you. On Friday night, Ghana caused a mini upset of sorts, beating Africa’s top team, Algeria and has stolen any hope that I had left of a South Africa win over Ghana later this week. They look the better team, don’t they? Ghana walked away 1-0 winners and move to 2nd on the Group C log, just under table topping Senegal. The latter walked away with 1 point after a 1 all draw with South Africa. Bafana Bafana now sit at the bottom of the log and need a win over Ghana and a loss for Senegal for things to go their way. I’m never a fan of a team’s fortunes resting in the hands of others. You need to win on the pitch to move through as deserved victors. Saturday saw two more uneventful, and AFCON 2015 synonymous, draws. Cote d’Ivoire and Mail drew 1-all and so did Cameroon and Guinea.
On the topic, Former African superstar Kalusha Bwalya commented that this is really no surprise. There have been 10 draws in 16 matches and it may end up in the drawing of lots to see who the winners in the groups might be! Eight of the 10 draws have been 1-1, including all 4 in Group D. This isn’t even a record. In 2013 in South Africa, there were 13 draws in 24 first round matches. If the trend in Equatorial Guinea continues, they will set the new record by the end of the round robins. Hardly making for thrilling football anyway. Bwalya commented that the teams are mostly very evenly matches and extremely competitive. The Zambian man also says it’s impossible to pick a winner to this tournament, it’s so close.
We got to see a few more goals on Sunday though, with a 2-1 win for Congo over Burkino Faso and that beautiful victory for the hosts over Gabon, seeing the hosts win 2-0. Equatorial Guinea are now 2nd in group A and the group with the most entertaining football too, and with Congo’s win, those two teams are guaranteed a quarter final spot.
Today we see Group B action, with the Democratic Republic of Congo up against Tunisia from the Estadio de Bata, and at the same time from Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín, Cape Verde Islands are up against bottom of the log Zambia.
What are your thoughts on the lack of goals and all round not-so exciting football up to this point? Drop us a line in the comment section below.
Trust Issues
There’s this word that carries so much value in our world. Integrity. And it’s an enormously big deal, this integrity thing. It’s so big that it’s something that every single person holds dear, and it’s even in the Bible. Your parents expect your level of it to remain at it’s highest, and so does your boss, and your spouse, and the guy next to you in the bus. We are often really suspicious of people and hold their trust in the highest of regards.
Let me explain this practically: You’re a married guy who works as a doctor. You and your wife head off on your separate ways to work. She is dropping your kids at school and you head straight to the office. You trust your wife to drop the kids off safely and you both trust the teachers and other school employees to actually teach your children as well as protect and discipline them. You park your car and trust the complete stranger that parks next to you to not bump or scratch your extremely valuable asset. Your work friend brings you a cup of coffee. You trust he’s made it to be just the way you like it with just the correct bitter sweet ratio. Your first patient arrives. You trust them to arrive on time so that your whole days schedule doesn’t fall behind. They trust that you’ll make the correct diagnosis and they trust you’ll prescribe the correct medication that will actually make them feel better and see them on the road to recovery. You trust that they will pay you, and you don’t have to chase after them for the money, come the end of the month. You go out to a restaurant at lunchtime and you trust they have used good clean ingredients to make your meal and that they washed their hands. I’m sure you get the picture. Our entire day’s experiences hinge on the integrity of the people with whom we share every detail. It’s an entire house of cards and 1 single breaking of that trust and, BAM, it all comes tumbling down, Bad service, an unfaithful spouse, a customer who tries to steal from you, or food poisoning. 1 Link in the chain goes down and you have trust issues. ‘We’re never eating here again!’ ‘I’ll never date again!’ ‘I’m never parking my car here again!’
I hate to say this but I’m convinced we’ve all had so many bad experiences across the board, that we have serious trust issues, and are not even willing to give many people the benefit of the doubt concerning their integrity. Now we expect things to go wrong or people to make mistakes. We can be cynical and untrusting and mostly we keep our guards up. Sounds pretty sad. Who do we trust and who can we count on? Strange how we sometimes trust so easily and 1 mistake makes us see everyone in the same, negative way? That’s simply how big a deal trust is. 1 Man breaks your heart, all men are pigs! 1 Woman cheats on you and no women can be trusted!
It’s time to work through our hurt and show grace. Let the pain or frustration or whatever emotion you’re feeling run it’s course but don’t let it destroy you. Take the time you need but try again. We all need a second chance somewhere along the line, so why not offer it to someone else. It takes a long time to rebuild trust but if you never allow the process to start, how can it ever be completed?
AFCON 2015 – 23 Jan ’15
If you’re a football fan and you’re feeling a bit disillusioned by what we’ve been subjected to over the last week, you’re not alone. As we update Day 6 of AFCON 2015, it must be said that I am very disappointed, and have been very vocal as I’ve sat through hours of uneventful football. I thought I was being overly critical, but quickly realised, after hearing some top African football greats, now serving as TV commentators and pundits, that they are seeing it as I am. Where are the goals? Where is the Africa footballing flair that we all love to watch? There is still some time to go and maybe now that teams have settled in, things will improve. Behind the scenes, things are still very challenging, with Ghana coach, Avram Grant being very vocal on poor service, such as their team bus that ‘acts more like a ship than a bus’ and it being poorer than what other teams get to use. Also press conferences that draw coaches away from their teams and times are then changed with little notice. Let’s move things back to the field, and check in with yesterday’s matches out of Group B.
The first game of the day, was between now bottom of the log, Zambia and Tunisia at Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin. Tunisian captain Yassine Chikhaoui headed into the net, late in the game, to snatch victory away from the Zambians to see the men from the far north head up group B with a 3 point lead. Chikhaoui nodded past a diving Kennedy Mweena and really rained on the Southern African’s parade because one got the feeling that the Zambians could pull it off as the likeliest winners for most of the match after Emmanuel Mayuka’s 59 minute goal. 11 minutes later, the Tunisians’ equalised as Ahmed Akaichi scored and took his tournament goal tally to two. Here are your video highlights.
Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo brought us the 2nd game of the day and it was a very uneventful, goalless affair, after the 90-odd minutes. Both teams were strong in defense and seemed to put all effort into that aspect, but with really poor service up front, most attacks were thwarted or just fizzled out and then it all started over and the pattern continued. The DRC really should have done a lot better than they did and most TV panel experts seemed to be in agreement. The sharing of the spoils means that Tunisia are sitting pretty at the top of the group with 4 points, Cape Verde and the DRC are tied in 2nd place on two points and the men from Zambia are at the bottom with 1 point. You can catch up with the visual highlights here.
Tonight’s games, from Group C, will take place at the Estadio de Mongomo. The first match will be between log leaders Algeria and Ghana, my pick for the most entertaining game of the tournament to this point. The second match will be between bottom of the table South Africa and third placed Senegal. My money is firmly on the men from South Africa, based purely on pre-tournament form. Enjoy the football and don’t forget to leave us your predictions for the day’s games in the space below.
AFCON 2015 – 22 Jan ’15
Welcome to AFCON 2015 day 6. 2 Group A games were played yesterday and, to be honest, we weren’t treated to any form of exciting football. I found myself changing the channel at one point, to add some excitement to a much laboured 90 minutes out of the Bata Stadium, in the night’s second game. It must be said though, that Congo fans were elated, as the victory over Gabon has thrown Group A wide open. There was not much else to get excited about yesterday, sadly.
Let’s take it back to the beginning, and the first game of the day between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso. It ended in a goalless draw, and didn’t make for fantastic entertainment, but it would seem, unlike the World Cup in Brazil, the group phases are not delivering the goals we’d hoped for. On the plus side for Burkina Faso, that lost their opening game 2-0 to Gabon, they now at least have a point to start their AFCON 2015 points campaign. The hosts now have 2 points on the Group A log. The game itself offered very few shots at goal and very poor passing at times and a lot of really poor decision making. The best attempt for Burkina Faso came from a free kick on the 20 minute mark, and Alain Traore rattled the woodwork. Artistide Bance had another good shot but found the competent keeper, Germain Sanou. Here are your highlights, thanks to the guys at Supersport.com
The second game of the day was only slightly more entertaining, as Congo beat Gabon, 1-0. The goal came from captain, Prince Oniangue, three minutes into the 2nd half and to be honest, it was the only bit of exciting football the teams mustered for the entire match, but at least they made it count. Congo now head up Group A with 4 points. Gabon have slipped to 2nd place with 3 points, and the goalless draw in the first game puts Equatorial Guinea third with 2 points and Burkina Faso have just the 1 point they were awarded from yesterday’s draw. As mentioned earlier, the table is wide open and any of the 4 teams might qualify for the knockout stages when they meet again on the Group A match day on the 25th of January. Here is a highlights package of that second game, thanks to Supersport.com
We move to Group B action today, as Zambia take on Tunisia in the first game, followed by Cape Verde Islands up against the DR Congo, both games coming your way from Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín.
So then, what are your thoughts on the games and quality of the football this far? Drop us a line in the comment section below. Catch up with you again tomorrow.
The Treadmill Dance
When it comes to most things in life, it’s different strokes for different folks. I for 1, am no fan of the treadmill. I’ll do a lot of hard work in the gym, but you’ll never find me on a treadmill. I tend to find it a bit boring to be honest, and won’t help me reach my particular goals. If the treadmill is what you need but you find it pretty mundane, may I suggest a solution? How about spicing up your treadmill workout like this guy did. And look, he’s famous! Enter – The Treadmill Dance!
AFCON 2015 – 21 Jan ’15
Welcome to a new day, Football faithful, and before we get into yesterday’s results and what we can look forward to in AFCON 2015 Group A action today, let’s check out some tournament news out of Bata. Reports coming out of Equatorial Guinea are that the tournament is faring rather well considering the last minute preparations that have had to be carried out. Just 2 months to prepare for Africa’s biggest footballing event and major problems have been kept to a minimum. Quality of hotels and the state of the pitches have been the major points of concern. One thing to be noted is that despite the struggles, teams have kept good spirits and are making choices to enjoy themselves, despite the challenges. That is after all what makes this tournament great. You need to have the right attitude and beat the odds, on and off the field.
Let’s get to yesterday’s on-field action. In the opening game of the Group D matches, Ivory Coast and Guinea played to a 1-1 draw. Ivory Coast played with only 10 men for part of the 2nd half and with Guinea being considered the underdogs, the result must be rather pleasing to the men who have had to play all of their qualifying matches at a neutral venue because of the threats of the Ebola Virus back home. Mohamed Yattara’s first half goal gave us the thoughts of a possible upset, but Ivorian, Doumbia, struck back in the 73rd minute to level matters. The Guineans looked like they might cause an upset and must be regretting the missed opportunities, but 1- all is how it ended. Check out the video highlights, courtesy of Supersport.com
Mali and Cameroon also played to a 1-1 draw in Malabo. The first half was goalless but the Eagles were the first to appear on the scoreboard thanks to a strike from Sambou Yatabare. The equaliser came from Indomitable Lion’s Ambroise Oyongo to see the points being shared. Mali looked like the better team in the opening half and thanks to Cameroon keeper, Fabrice Ondoa and his fine saves, his team were able to at least salvage a point from the encounter. Supersport.com has the highlights, here.
So, to today’s action: The host team, with its loud and boisterous fans, preparing to fill the Bata Stadium, are there to support Equatorial Guinea who are up against 2013 finalists, Burkina Faso. We know they will be hoping above hopes for an upset. In the other match, Group A leaders Gabon, are up against Republic of Congo.
Enjoy the exciting football action, and check back tomorrow for all the details. Why not also drop a comment in the space below; we’d love to know which team you are supporting!
AFCON 2015 – 20 Jan ’15
AFCON 2015 saw Group C action on Monday, with the first game of the day between Ghana and Senegal at Estadio De Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea. Asamoah Gyan was not playing for Ghana, having contracted a mild case of Malaria, but thanks to early detection, the prognosis looks excellent. A calf injury had also sidelined Senegalises Sadio Mane. Tipped as the group of death, no game was going to be an easy one. The game ended 2-1 in the favour of Senegal as substitute Moussa Sow snatched a stoppage time winner in the Group opener. The Teranga lions started sluggishly, but ended as deserved winners, despite missing out on several second half opportunities. You can watch the highlight HERE courtesy of Supersport.com
The much hyped group of death saw South Africa’s Bafana Bafana take on top African outfit, Algeria, in the day’s second game. It wasn’t good evening for the men from the South, missing the services of young defender Rivaldo Coetzee to injury. The game ended 3-1 in favour of the Desert Foxes, but one feels that it was a match that Bafana gave away for the most part, but taking nothing away from the success of the 2nd half tactical change the Algerians made. The 4-4-2 formation seemed to throw South Africa, who then lost their 1-0 lead, and the downward spiral to the 3-1 score line was a dramatic one, and lest we forget the missed penalty by striker TK Rantie in the first half. South Africa have been left with it all to do, as they face Senegal on Friday. Thanks to Supersport.com, you can see the highlights HERE.
Today’s GROUP D action starts with Cote d‘Ivoire against Guinea and the 2nd game of the day sees Mail Up against Cameroon. Join us tomorrow for all the results.
Church is Boring
‘Church is Boring!’ There must be a whole lot of people that feel this way because the pews are gathering dust and the average age of the church’s member must be touching on 50. Or am I wrong?
So why do we go to church anyway? I’m convinced that many go out of traditional obligation, others go because mom said they must, and if you ask them why, they might suggest it’s because we ought to or that they don’t really know. This is a problem. If you’re going to show off your new dress/suit/hat/shoes/bible cover or see that good looking guy/girl, you’ve again woken up early on a Sunday morning for no good reason.
I know there’s another truck load of Believers that have a very legitimate reason for heading to their local place of worship on a Sunday and that’s to get together with other believers. Like a family reunion of sorts, where brothers and sisters in Christ can simply acknowledge their needs for encouragement, and some delicious and nutritious spiritual food. And to head up all of that, they take a big chunk of their time and dedicating it to sharing and singing their thankfulness to Jesus for His goodness and faithfulness. And while they’re about it, they get a good helping of truth out of the Bible that can help to guide, encourage and re-direct. Sound like a few hours well spent if you ask me. But why do some enjoy it so much they go more than once on a Sunday but some think that the same service is boring? The answer must be found in personal ideas of exciting, or entertaining or fun, and perhaps it has to do with the way you view God. We have different churches that ‘do things’ in different ways and that’s great because there’s a style or time or way of doing things that appeals to different people. So then, if you aren’t really ‘into’ God or don’t quite get how He fits into your life, your Xbox will always be more exciting and why not go for a drive then; the roads are quieter. Church is not a place to be forced to go to. It’s a want-to-have that you enjoy because it fits into the gap your life has, the need for community and connecting with like-minded people around your passion. In this case, it’s Jesus. And because you like the people around you so much, you find reasons to hang out after church too, and the community side gets another injection.
If you’re loving God and loving people, church seems the logical way to bring it all together, and if at the same time someone comments on your new dress/suit/hat/shoes/bible cover while you’re about it, or you catch the eye of that good looking guy/girl; I’d say that there’s no way that Church could be boring.
Weekend Sports Wrap – 19 Jan ’15
It’s been a record breaking weekend of sports and we’ve got all the details! South African One Day International cricket captain, AB de Villiers shattered several records and his team gave the team of the West Indies a thorough hiding. Lionel Messi set a personal record of 30 hat tricks, the Australian Open tennis tournament is underway and there’s AFCON football news to get us excited about today’s Group C action. It’s all right here, so click, listen, and get up to date.