[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/viewtopic.php on line 1080: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions_content.php on line 1273: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions_content.php on line 1273: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
nairaland.net • View topic - Angola thumps Nigeria again

Angola thumps Nigeria again

Angola thumps Nigeria again

Postby Richard Akindele » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:47 pm

Angola's 13 million citizens were on the streets again celebrating after Caf awarded the country hosting right for the 2010 Cup of Nations at the beginning of September. The oil-rich southern African nation becomes only the first Portuguese-speaking country to be awarded the Nations Cup hosting right, and the first southern African territory to have been honoured with the right. When South Africa hosted in 1996, it only stepped in for original hosts Kenya, who opted out due to inability to complete the construction of the venues for the matches.

The decision by the 13-member executive committee of Caf was unanimous, giving teeth to speculation that the hosting right had actually been decided at the committee's meeting in Cairo in January, before the start of the African Nations Cup finals.

Nigeria made a strong case for hosting, hinging its bid on the fact that the country would be celebrating 50 years of independence that year. Angola was also thought to be behind because the country would construct four new venues, but the Bid Committee secured government guarantees that the facilities would be ready.

In an unprecedented move, Caf awarded the rights for the three CAN finals at one sitting, handing the 2012 event to the joint bid by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and the 2014 finals to Libya. To ensure that none of the four nations in the final vote lost out, Nigeria would be backed to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009, and would also be 'super sub' for any of the three hosts that fails the requirement hurdle.

It was the third time in 14 months that Angola would make short work of Nigeria in international sport. Last year summer, the Angolan basketball team beat Nigeria's D'Tigers 67-62 in the semi finals of the African Championship in Algeria, and in October, the Palancas Negras piped the Super Eagles to the football World Cup ticket.

"We know we have a lot of work on hand and we'll move in immediately to start the assignment," said Angola Sports Minister Marcos Barrica. He added that the organizing committee would be constituted this month, a whole 38 months ahead of schedule.

The 2010 Nations Cup assumed immense significance after FIFA awarded the hosting right of the football World Cup of the same year to Africa. South Africa will stage the global finals six months after Angola must have hosted Africa.

"We are aware of the responsibility and we'll do everything that we have to do, accomplish every task that we have to accomplish, in order to do Africa proud," said Angola FA's Justino Fernandez.

Africa Today
Richard Akindele
Site Admin
 
Posts: 1120
Joined: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:33 pm
Location: USA

Return to Sports

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron