Claude Le Roy is like a baobab tree in African football. The Frenchman will be making an unprecedented seventh appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations with four different teams.

The “White Witch” will certainly mark his 65th birthday in grand style for over a decade commitment to African football.

Le Roy shares this day with Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi, who is 11-years younger. Aly Yirango, one of the locally-based players in the Mali squad will be 19 as well.
 
 
BIRTHDAY BOY ECHIEJILE
 
Nigerian left-back Elderson Echiejile turns 25 yesterday ahead of the  opening Group C match against West African counterparts, Burkina Faso in Nelspruit.

The Sporting Braga defender will be hoping it serves a good omen for the Super Eagles.

THE ULTIMATE PRIZE
 
At the end of 32 matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, champion will be crowned along with the coveted AFCON trophy and a handsome US $1,5 million prize money.

The losing finalists pocket a million (US $ 1 000 000) and losing semi-finalists get $750 000 each. AFCON is a 16 team final competition and reaching this stage and finishing 4th in the group stage assures a team of $400 000. For finishing 3rd in the group a team gets $500 000 while losing quarter finalists pocket $600 000.

All in all, the AFCON prize money is made up of a ten million (US $10 million) purse and as the tournament kicked last Saturday, there is more at stake that the glittering AFCON trophy.


HEAD TO HEAD
Zambia         Ethiopia
7    Matches Played    7           
4    Wins                          1             
2    Draws                       2            
1    Losses                      4              
8    Goals for                  2             
2    Goals against         8             
 
RESULTS
ZAM      4:0 ETH                
ETH        0:0 ZAM
ZAM      4:2 ETH
ETH        0:0 ZAM              
ZAM      1:0 ETH
ZAM      2:0 ETH                
ETH        1:0 ZAM              
 
TEAMS CAN’T HAVE FEEL OF MBOBELA PITCH

All the teams in Group C of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations based in Nelspruit will be playing at the Mbobela Stadium today without having trained on the pitch.
Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Zambia and Ethiopia were not allowed to train on the pitch ahead of today's double header as a result of the incessant rain.
The Super Eagles had to train at the Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Centre pitch last night, while the other teams also made alternative arrangements.
A CAF official confirmed that the non-stop rain and the heavy training meant no training on the pitch to prevent it from cutting up badly during today's two games.


SCORERS CHART    

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu ( Ghana)
Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana)
Trésor Mputu Mabi (Congo DR)
Dieumerci Mbokani (Congo DR)
Seydou Keita (Mali)



I CAN HELP BAFANA - HERBALIST

 A herbalist from the Eastern Cape, Reuben Matewu, says he can help Bafana Bafana win matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

South Africa settled for a goalless draw in their AFCON opener against Cape Verde Islands at the National Stadium on Saturday, compounding concerns about their ability to find the back of the net.

"I can help Bafana Bafana for free if they want and I do that for the first three matches," Matewu told trufm, a regional SABC radio station, on Sunday.

"Thereafter I will charge them as they would have started winning.

"I'm not like those people who use bad muti. I will only use herbs, which are easily available here in South Africa."
While he would start charging for his services after a few matches, Matewu insisted he was not after the money.

Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, the vice-president of the SA Football Association (SAFA) and chairperson of the AFCON local organising committee, said Matewu's offer might be considered.

"We always welcome whatever help we can get to ensure Bafana Bafana do well," Nonkonyana said.
"Let the man speak to me and see what we can do after that."

Sibonelo Madela, a traditional healer from Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, had threatened to prevent Bafana from winning matches.

This was after he claimed he was owed R90 000 by SAFA for assisting the team during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Madela claimed that Bafana used his muti before their 2-1 victory over France during the group stages of the global showpiece. Despite the win, they were knocked out in the first round of the competition.

SAFA spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi reportedly said at the time that Nonkonyana had given Madela R10 000 out of "his own goodwill", but no deal had been made between the inyanga and the national football body

LE ROY: "WE GAVE AFRICA A GREAT GAME"

After seeing his never-say-die troops stage one of the greatest comebacks in the opening clash against Group B favourites Ghana in a 2-2 draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday evening, DR Congo coach Claude Le Roy says his charges showed a lot of character and gave Africa a great game.

Le Roy said his side will not look back from the brave performance against the ‘Black Stars’, but forge ahead with the same commitment and fighting spirit.

“I am happy with the way we never lost our heads and confidence. We created a lot of chances in the opening minutes, but fell behind because of lapses in concentration,” said the Frenchman.

“This was a great game for Africa. It shows that it is possible to give a better image of African football as the two teams did today.”

DR Congo’s Youssouf Mulumbu of English side West Bromwich Abion said it was a good comeback for the‘Leopards’.