Since their arrival in Kumasi, they have been training with the aim of keeping the cup.

After embarrassing the local organizing committee by refusing to stay in the hotel provided by the local organising committee, the Egyptian National team the “Pharaohs”, have continued making headline news in Kumasi. Not only do they chase away media men, but have persistently refused to make public their training programme as is expected from all teams. At the Golden Tulip Hotel where they are lodged along side Zambia, officials and supporters have only one watchword: “Take the Cup back to Egypt”.

Before this is done, they have to start by confronting Cameroon today in the opening encounter of group C. If one was to go by history, Egypt could well be described as the dean of African football. At club level, Egyptian clubs like Zamalek, Al Ahly and Arab Contractors have dominated continental club competitions. At the national team level the Pharaohs are the national side that has won the trophy five times and participated in the highest number of African Nations Cup competition.

However, book makers say their victories have not been very spectacular except that of 2006, which now puts them ahead of many other great African football nations. Ghana 2008 therefore will be their 21st appearance at the final phase. If they make it to the finals, it will their seventh final. For it to happen, they have relied on mostly home-based and experienced players in building their team for the Ghanaian expedition.

Though they may not have within their ranks star players on whom they can count when it comes to personal action, their fighting spirit is a major force for them. At the goalkeeping position, their goalkeepers are often among the best in Africa. Their defenders, a bunch of tall and skilful young men capable of creating a lot of problems to most attackers. The midfield is usually the main driving force of the team as it is where the team usually starts constructing play. During today’s encounter, the Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan, one of the few men in the squad to have won the title twice, will be a force to reckon with. At the attack, the absence of Mido does not give way for any doubt. Head coach Shehata has made assurances double sure by selecting only the best goal poachers. To deliver the goals Emad Motaeb and Amri Zaki are expected to be on duty. However, knowing very well that they did refuse Cameroon from participating at the last World Cup, they will need a lot of stamina.

  Eldickson AGBORTOGO

Since their arrival in Kumasi, they have been training with the aim of keeping the cup.

After embarrassing the local organizing committee by refusing to stay in the hotel provided by the local organising committee, the Egyptian National team the “Pharaohs”, have continued making headline news in Kumasi. Not only do they chase away media men, but have persistently refused to make public their training programme as is expected from all teams. At the Golden Tulip Hotel where they are lodged along side Zambia, officials and supporters have only one watchword: “Take the Cup back to Egypt”.

Before this is done, they have to start by confronting Cameroon today in the opening encounter of group C. If one was to go by history, Egypt could well be described as the dean of African football. At club level, Egyptian clubs like Zamalek, Al Ahly and Arab Contractors have dominated continental club competitions. At the national team level the Pharaohs are the national side that has won the trophy five times and participated in the highest number of African Nations Cup competition.

However, book makers say their victories have not been very spectacular except that of 2006, which now puts them ahead of many other great African football nations. Ghana 2008 therefore will be their 21st appearance at the final phase. If they make it to the finals, it will their seventh final. For it to happen, they have relied on mostly home-based and experienced players in building their team for the Ghanaian expedition.

Though they may not have within their ranks star players on whom they can count when it comes to personal action, their fighting spirit is a major force for them. At the goalkeeping position, their goalkeepers are often among the best in Africa. Their defenders, a bunch of tall and skilful young men capable of creating a lot of problems to most attackers. The midfield is usually the main driving force of the team as it is where the team usually starts constructing play. During today’s encounter, the Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan, one of the few men in the squad to have won the title twice, will be a force to reckon with. At the attack, the absence of Mido does not give way for any doubt. Head coach Shehata has made assurances double sure by selecting only the best goal poachers. To deliver the goals Emad Motaeb and Amri Zaki are expected to be on duty. However, knowing very well that they did refuse Cameroon from participating at the last World Cup, they will need a lot of stamina.

  Eldickson AGBORTOGO

Since their arrival in Kumasi, they have been training with the aim of keeping the cup.

After embarrassing the local organizing committee by refusing to stay in the hotel provided by the local organising committee, the Egyptian National team the “Pharaohs”, have continued making headline news in Kumasi. Not only do they chase away media men, but have persistently refused to make public their training programme as is expected from all teams. At the Golden Tulip Hotel where they are lodged along side Zambia, officials and supporters have only one watchword: “Take the Cup back to Egypt”.

Before this is done, they have to start by confronting Cameroon today in the opening encounter of group C. If one was to go by history, Egypt could well be described as the dean of African football. At club level, Egyptian clubs like Zamalek, Al Ahly and Arab Contractors have dominated continental club competitions. At the national team level the Pharaohs are the national side that has won the trophy five times and participated in the highest number of African Nations Cup competition.

However, book makers say their victories have not been very spectacular except that of 2006, which now puts them ahead of many other great African football nations. Ghana 2008 therefore will be their 21st appearance at the final phase. If they make it to the finals, it will their seventh final. For it to happen, they have relied on mostly home-based and experienced players in building their team for the Ghanaian expedition.

Though they may not have within their ranks star players on whom they can count when it comes to personal action, their fighting spirit is a major force for them. At the goalkeeping position, their goalkeepers are often among the best in Africa. Their defenders, a bunch of tall and skilful young men capable of creating a lot of problems to most attackers. The midfield is usually the main driving force of the team as it is where the team usually starts constructing play. During today’s encounter, the Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan, one of the few men in the squad to have won the title twice, will be a force to reckon with. At the attack, the absence of Mido does not give way for any doubt. Head coach Shehata has made assurances double sure by selecting only the best goal poachers. To deliver the goals Emad Motaeb and Amri Zaki are expected to be on duty. However, knowing very well that they did refuse Cameroon from participating at the last World Cup, they will need a lot of stamina.

  Eldickson AGBORTOGO

Le chanteur vient de séjourner au Cameroun pour la promotion de son dernier album. Occasion de faire le point sur ses déboires avec la justice en France et sur l’évolution de sa carrière. –

L’homme a son propre nom à la bouche quasiment tout le temps. Même lorsqu’on aime parler (ou faire parler) de soi, il y a un type de publicité dommageable à la réputation. L’affaire Longuè Longuè a défrayé la chronique il y a quelques mois, suscitant d’autant plus d’interrogations au sein du public local qu’elle se déroulait en territoire français. A-t-il vraiment commis des impairs question mœurs ? Et ce fameux séjour en prison ? Les conséquences éventuelles sur la suite de sa carrière ? Etc. Lors de son récent passage à Yaoundé, CT est allé à la rencontre de Simon Lonkana Agno. Le chanteur aborde ces questions et bien d’autres.

A un moment, Longuè Longuè a pratiquement disparu de la scène. Où était-il ?

(Sourire). J’étais à Guantanamo. (Sourire). Vous savez dans la vie, il y a des hauts et des bas aussi. Mais la chute d’un Homme n’est pas la fin de sa vie.

Que voulez-vous dire exactement ?

Alors, Longuè Longuè a eu des problèmes. Des problèmes de jalousie. On m’accuse d’avoir violé une fille de 15 ans. La vérité c’est que je n’ai jamais violé qui que ce soit. C’est la tante de cette fille, une femme de 52 ans, que j’ai épousée pour une raison précise. Quand on a eu des problèmes, elle a monté une affaire sans fondement. Imaginez, M. le journaliste, une villageoise qui quitte le quartier Etam Bafia où Mokolo Elobi pour se retrouver en Europe et rencontre Longuè Longuè. C’est comme si elle avait rencontré Michael Jackson. C’est de cela que je suis victime.

Où en est l’affaire aujourd’hui ?

L’instruction n’est pas finie mais la lumière commence déjà à briller. J’étais en détention provisoire, maintenant je suis en liberté provisoire. On ne m’a jamais jugé et on ne m’a donc pas condamné. Le contrôle judiciaire a été suspendu pour deux mois et demi afin que je rentre dans mon pays. Cependant, et c’est l’occasion de le noter, je déplore la manière dont la presse privée a traité de ce sujet qui me concerne. Elle a fait montre de sensationnalisme et d’un certain manque de professionnalisme.

Parlons de votre carrière. Comment se comporte votre dernier album sur le marché ?

Le dernier album marche très bien, tant sur le plan national qu’international. Les sondages font état de ce que je suis numéro 1 partout. Je serai au palais des Congrès de Cotonou le 30 novembre et le 1er décembre prochain pour la 3e édition des " Black Music Awards ". Je pense sincèrement que je vais ramener un prix au Cameroun, comme j’en ai l’habitude.

A quand le prochain album de Longuè Longuè ?

Il sera disponible d’ici à décembre prochain, s’il plaît à Dieu. Il aura pour titre phare une chanson intitulée " Zéro mort ". Dans cet album, je reviens sur les événements de l’année 1991, au cours de laquelle le Cameroun a connu de nombreux soubresauts, à l’Université, dans la sphère politique, etc.

AN

ameroon-Tribune