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South Africa 1-0 Ghana

Though placed on the theme of continuity, the Bafana Bafana, under a new manager, Pitso Mosimane made a good start at the Soccer City Stadium in Jo’burg, Wednesday, August 11. The boys of Mosimane overpowered the Black Stars of Ghana in a one nil victory. Katlego Mphela opened scores for the South Africans at the 42nd minute of the game. Despite a shinning 2010 World Cup experience, the Ghanaians failed to come back into the match. It was a good “baptism of fire” for Mosimane as he looks forward to greater things with the Bafana Bafana.

Cameroon 3-0 Poland

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, currently without an official coach, brought smiles onto the faces of some of their fans across the world. After a disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, being the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup and haven lost 10 matches, the Lions pounced their Polish counterparts in their own backyard 3-0. Captain Samuel Fils Eto’o shot to the lead at the 29th minute. He subsequently doubled scores at the 52nd minute. An inspired squad, managed for the game by assistant trainer in charge of keepers, Jacques Songo’o introduced some new guys in the team. Vincent Aboubakar, who had a 2010 World Cup stint, came into the game and showed proof of his contributions to the Lions’ den. At the 84th minute, he slotted in a shot that kept the Polish keeper sprawling on the green turf. The Lions’ victory has been described by some observers as a morale booster for the team as they embark on the 2012 AFCON qualifiers, beginning September 4 with the Mauritius Island.

Nigeria 1-2 South Korea

Nigeria were outclassed by South Korea as they went down to a 2-1 defeat in Seoul on Wednesday. Park Ji-sung whipped in from close range after 30 minutes while Peter Osaze Odemwingie, who trades his football talents in Russia, responded soon after for Nigeria and Park chu-young won the game in the closing minutes of the first half. Shorn of the majority of the World Cup squad, Austin Eguavoen, Nigeria’s makeshift trainer, handed starts to three players from the domestic league and could only watch as his team was nearly passed to death in the opening minutes.

Ivory Coast 1-0 Italy

This BIG GAME was played August 10 at the Upton Park in London, England with Referee – Atkinson. Kolo Toure, the Manchester City and Ivory Coast defender's 55th minute header gave Francois Zahoui a debut win on the Elephants' bench. This header spoiled Cesare Prandelli's Big Night as he debuted for the Azzurri as the new head coach. Toure, the former Arsenal defender returned to London with style, heading home after great work on the right hand side by Guy Demel to hand caretaker coach Francois Zahoui a debut win. The new Azzurri boss, Cesare Prandelli was not too concerned about the friendly defeat but admitted there was room for improvement in his team. Despite the pace being very much akin to most friendly matches, there were threats in both boxes in the first half as each side had their reasons to take the game seriously after their respective disappointments at the World Cup in South Africa. For the Ivorians, though, this could be a result which throws Zahoui into the reckoning for the full-time job with the AFCON qualifiers due to start soon. This argument can go further, following the refusal of Frenchman, Gerrard Gili to take up the coaching job of the Elephants of Ivory Coast. Information gathered in Abidjan say that some big names in the Ivorian team, Didier Drogba included blocked the candidature of Gili.

Other Results:

Mali 0-2Guinea Conakry
Benin 0-0 Niger
Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde
Burkina Faso 3-0 Congo Brazzaville
Algeria 1-2 Gabon
Togo 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Egypt 6-3 DR Congo
Mauritania 0-0Palestine
Mozambique 2-1 Swaziland
Uganda 1-1 Zambia
Tanzania 1-1 Kenya