Posts Tagged ‘Vahid Halilhodzic’
International friendly round-up - Africa
There is certainly no danger of the African teams peaking ahead of this summer’s finals. All six of the CAF qualifiers were in recent friendly action, but only one, Nigeria, were victorious. It now appears even more unlikely that the maiden African finals will be graced by a winner from the home continent.
Cote d’Ivoire, perhaps the likeliest African contenders with world cup 2010 betting odds, are in something approaching disarray. The managerial merry-go-round continues, Vahid Halilhodzic being sacked after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Sven Goran Eriksson and Guus Hiddink are in the frame to lead the team in South Africa, but a brand new coach, regardless of his pedigree, is not an ideal scenario. A 2-0 defeat by South Korea at Loftus Road did not help preparation.
Ghana wasted a one goal advantage in Bosnia-Hercegovina to lose 2-1. Sulley Muntari scored the Black Stars’ goal. Algeria continued their poor run of form, losing comprehensively 3-0 to Serbia.
Cameroon and South Africa both secured draw, but the former’s goalless stalemate in Italy represents a far better result than the hosts’ uninspiring 1-1 draw with Namibia. A second half equaliser from Katlego Mphela did little to ease the fears that the home nation will struggle in the summer.
Nigeria were impressive 5-2 winners over Congo, a result notable for the two debut goals by Osas Idehen. The Super Eagles have made a good start under Lars Lagerback, who is on a short-term contract similar to the one Cote d’Ivoire hope to secure with Hiddink or Eriksson.
Nigeria have no more friendlies scheduled ahead of the finals, so the wily Swedish coach will need to work quickly to gel his new charges into a team capable of upsetting some World Cup bets and making a good impression.
Tags: Africa Cup Of Nations, Ascii, Betting Odds, Black Stars, Cambria, Disarray, Div, Equaliser, Font Definitions, Font Format, Footer, Goal Advantage, Guus Hiddink, Hercegovina, Home Continent, Home Nation, Lars Lagerback, Lt, Mso, Orphan, Osas, Panose, Paper Source, Pitch, Props, Sans Serif, Signature, South Korea, Stalemate, Style Definitions, Style Name, Style Type, Sulley Muntari, Swedish Coach, Term Contract, Theme Font, Times New Roman, Vahid Halilhodzic, World Cup 2010, World Cup Bets