AFCON

Afcon 2023: Guinea call up ex-France youth defender Mouctar Diakhaby

Guinea have included former France youth international Mouctar Diakhaby in their 23-man squad for next month's 2023 Africa Cup Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Malawi. The 25-year-old defender, who plays in Spain, represented France from under-19 to under-21 level before switching allegiances to the country of his parents in March. The French-born player is joined in the squad by his Valencia team-mate Ilaix Moriba, who himself swapped allegiances from Spain in November. After receiving clearance from world governing body Fifa, Syli Nationale coach Kaba Diawara named Diakhaby in his latest squad. Guinea travel to face Egypt for their Group D opener on 5 June before hosting Malawi four days later. Established international Naby Keita of Liverpool leads a cast of notable inclusions like Issiaga Sylla, Amadou Diawara and Mohamed Bayo. Brentford defender Julian Jeanvier is handed a recall after making his last appearance in November 2019. The quartet of Bafode Dansoko, Serhou Guirassy, Antoine Conte and Sekou Oumar Sylla have a chance to make their competitive debut after featuring in March's friendly draw against South Africa. Notable omissions include Florentin Pogba, Francois Kamano, Morlaye Sylla and Mady Camara. Ethiopia complete the line-up in Group D as Guinea aim to return to the continental showpiece under Diawara. The former Arsenal player retained his role as coach of Guinea in March despite the country's football federation (Feguifoot) earlier relieving the technical teams of all its national sides of their jobs. Feguifoot's normalisation committee, keen to get another manager for the team, had a change of heart in April by confirming that Diawara will remain in the role. Under Diawara the Syli Nationale reached the last 16 of the 2021 Nations Cup in Cameroon, where they lost 1-0 to The Gambia. Guinea squad to face Egypt and Malawi Goalkeepers: Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya), Bangaly Sylla (St Etienne, France) Defenders: Antoine Conte (Universitatea Craiova, Romania) Julian Jenvier (Brentford, England), Mohammed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia, Spain), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (Cambuur, Netherlands). Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Belgium), Ibrahima Cisse (Seraing, Belgium), Ilaix Moriba (Valencia, Spain), Seydouba Cisse (Leganes, Spain), Aguibou Camara (Olympiakos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England). Forwards: Alkhaly Momo Cisse (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Thierno Barry (Tenerife, France), Bafode Dansoko (KMSK Deinze, Belgium), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont, France), Serhou Guirassy (Rennes, France).

Corentin Martins: Libya coach admits the pressure is on ahead of Afcon qualifiers

Libya coach Corentin Martins has admitted that the pressure is on him to impress in his new role. The Frenchman's first challenge with the North Africans will be the opening Group J games of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Libya host Botswana in Benghazi on Wednesday, and then travel to face Equatorial Guinea five days later. Martins, 52, made his name as a coach in Africa during a six-year spell with Mauritania, who he took from among the also-rans to a first-ever Nations Cup finals in 2019. "I had more time at the start of my job in Mauritania where we had one or two friendly matches first, a sort of internship, before the qualifiers began," he pointed out to BBC Sport Africa. "Also with Mauritania, at first I signed a two-year contract and the Nations Cup qualifiers were spread out over two years, so it was easier to begin my work. "But with Libya we have less than a year to complete the qualifiers and I have only a one-year deal with the association. This means it is all going a lot faster than I am used to." Afcon 2023: Libya coach Corentin Martins ready for qualifying 'repeat' Martins was given time with Mauritania despite not providing immediate success, but the former France international is aware that a slow start in the Libya job may see him come under pressure. "It is true that there is not the same patience here," he explained. "With Mauritania, in my first two-year contract, we didn't qualify for the Nations Cup, but the president (of the football federation) decided to continue with me. "I also wanted to stay because there was still work to be done to progress and then we qualified afterwards. "But we all know what the coaching job requires. You need results. So I understand. "I agreed to sign for a year and we will see if we get results or not. It's up to me to do the work and then try to get the players to progress quickly." Martins sees Libyan potential

Former Auxerre, Deportivo La Coruna and Strasbourg midfielder Martins was in charge as Mauritania qualified for the 2021 Nations Cup finals but had left the role by the time the Covid-delayed tournament was eventually hosted in Cameroon. Libya appointed him coach in April to replacing Spanish veteran Javier Clemente, and Martins sees it as a great opportunity. "It's a very motivating project because it's been 10 years since Libya last qualified for the Nations Cup finals," he said. "I think they have some really good players with plenty of potential." It is a point backed up by two Libyan clubs enjoying relative success in the Caf Confederation Cup, where Al Ahly Tripoli reached the semi-finals after beating neighbours Al Ittihad in the last eight. "These teams have a lot of players who are also in the national team, they are probably the most important clubs in the country," he insisted. Martins has targeted an opening victory against Botswana and has already been working with the home-based players, starting a camp a fortnight ago, as they make up the bulk of his squad. "We know that if we are to qualify for the finals, we have to win at home," he insisted. "We are going to prepare well for this match and field the best possible team to win. After that we play Equatorial Guinea, who were at the last finals in Cameroon and who are gong to be difficult." He will have to do without midfielder Al-Musrati, who has asked to be left out of the squad as he negotiates a move away from Portuguese club Sporting Braga. The 26-year-old is being linked with a move to Fulham, following their promotion to the English Premier League. Libya have only been to three Nations Cup finals - in 1982 when as hosts they finished runners-up, in 2006 and last in 2012.

Afcon 2023: Naim Sliti guides Tunisia to win over Equatorial Guinea

Naim Sliti scored one and set up two goals as Tunisia began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 4-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. The Carthage Eagles completely dominated the Group J game but it took them until the second half to break down the visitors' stubborn resistance. Sliti had one goal ruled out before he eventually grabbed the opening goal and then set up substitutes Saifeddine Jaziri and Youssef Msakni, who completed the rout late on. Equatorial Guinea, who had reached the quarter-finals of the Nations Cup in Cameroon earlier this year, ended the game with 10 men after Joan Lopez Elo was dismissed for two yellow cards. Tunisia's win came in front of a just a few thousand fans, despite it being free to get in, and despite their early dominance they struggled to create many real chances. Firas Ben Larbi had a shot blocked, Ferjani Sassi's best effort was straight at goalkeeper Jesus Owono while Ali Abdi saw his effort fly across the face of goal inches away from being touched in. Tunisia thought they had taken the lead six minutes after the break when a shot from Sliti squirmed past Owono but the referee ruled that he started dribbling before Ben Larbi's slight touch on a free kick had moved the ball far enough. Five minutes later Sliti did score as he pounced to score from close range through Owono's legs as the Equatorial Guinea defence failed to clear the ball. With just under 20 minutes left to play Equatorial Guinea were reduced to 10 men as second-half substitute Lopez Elo was dismissed. Tunisia made the extra man count in the last 13 minutes as Sliti turned provider, swinging in a cross for Jaziri to head home with his very first touch in the game after coming on as a substitute.

Afcon 2023: Sao Tome reinstated to qualifiers as Mauritius ruled out

Sao Tome e Principe have been reinstated to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to replace Mauritius a day before the group phase of the campaign begins. The Confederation of African Football's (Caf) appeals board has overturned a ruling in May by its own disciplinary committee that Sao Tome had fielded an ineligible player during their preliminary round tie. With the group stage of the qualifiers due to begin on Wednesday Caf has announced Sao Tome's appeal has been"'upheld and the decision of the Caf disciplinary board is set aside in its entirety." It means Sao Tome will join Group A of the 2023 Nations Cup qualifiers alongside Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. Mauritius had been due to face Guinea-Bissau on 9 June, instead arrangements will now have to be made for Sao Tome to play instead. The game is set to take place in the Moroccan city of Agadir as Guinea-Bissau is one of several African nations that does not have a stadium approved by Caf to host international matches. Sao Tome are due to host their next qualifier against Nigeria on 13 June, with a venue yet to be confirmed. The Mauritius Football Association (MFA) has asked for a full explanation from Caf and are also considering an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Originally the MFA had lodged a complaint that Sao Tome's Luis Leal had not followed the Caf's Covid-19 protocols during March's preliminary round qualifiers. Mauritius claimed the Bolivia-based striker was not eligible to play against them because his PCR test dated more than 72 hours before the match while according to the protocol, the tests must date from 48 hours. The 34-year-old scored the only goal in the first leg of their play-off with that result now reinstated and ratified to overturn the decision by Caf's disciplinary board to award a 3-0 win to Mauritius. The second leg of the tie, which saw both matches played in Mauritius, ended in a 3-3 draw so the original 4-3 on aggregate win for Sao Tome has now been confirmed. A total of 23 teams will qualify along with hosts Ivory Coast for the 2023 finals.