THE AFRICAN CUP of Nations kicks off in Equatorial Guinea tomorrow and this year we are getting behind the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At 25/1, the Leopards may be way down the pecking order behind the likes of the Ivory Coast, Algeria, Ghana and Tunisia as tournament favourites but there is an Irish connection with the central African country.
Sports company O’Neills, best-known for producing GAA jerseys, are Dr Congo’s new kit-makers.
So captain Youssuf Mulumbu, of West Brom, Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie and the rest of the team will be wearing the jersey above when they face Zambia in their opening group game on Sunday.
And here’s the away shirt:
I vividly recall he did the same exact thing in the Test decider against NZ, but luckily for him he got away with it as the replay showed the action after a penalty/conversion was taken. And for me that was 100% red.
No doubt he is amazing in green, but if he doesn’t cut out these reckless acts, Farrell won’t have much trouble replacing him. Ireland prides themselves on winning games without losing any player, and having a player that is a card machine is not at all ideal for WC preparation.
The fact that he argued with the ref is a big problem too. No place for it.
@Clark: he has apologised to team mates. What about the referee and the player involved?
Bundee is a very emotive player. He was sitting on the sidelines waiting to explode. And he did just that. It’s very much not the first time he has done just this. And while there is no excuse for his actions, the coaching team should have known this and started him or not used him at all.
Connacht attack look like they couldn’t punch their way out of a paper bag. Which then leaves a team that has to defend for the vast majority of the game. And as the game goes on that just tires the players out until the team capitulates.
So if Connacht cannot be coached to break gain lines it’s going to be a long, arduous and deflating season. It’s very clear that they are clueless at the moment how to fix this problem and have been struggling to fix this problem under Friend and Wilkins.
@Fintan O’Halloran: really didn’t think Connacht played all that badly.. Beautiful maul try and were right in it at 19-8 up until the 60th minute when the bundi aki/Sinatla incident happened. Reports out tonight Sinatla will be out for a good chunk or rest of the season… Connacht vs bulls should be a tight affair I would expect… Connaught are a good well drilled side so get the disappointment but didn’t think they played bad… .. ..
@Stuart Collins: not saying they played badly. Not saying there wasn’t massive effort. Just saying it’s all clueless. They have put in huge shifts in the last couple of weeks but it’s simply hapless. It’s all very fine to appreciate the effort demonstrated but it’s important to understand the underlying issues
@Fintan O’Halloran: you didn’t watch the game admit it
Bundee has been an exceptional player for Connacht & Ireland. It’s tough B*****d like him that are vital for a team. Sexton for Leinster & O’Mahony for Munster. They are literally the heartbeat of their clubs & the Irish team. This will be forgotten about.
@Harry O’Callaghan: what’s tough about dangerous high tackling?
Great player bundee is. But does have a flash that could be costly
Bye Bye Bundee! Ireland cannot afford out of control id###s.
@Liam O’Flaherty: Just wow, The service that man has given this country and you take that attitude? Calling him names? Disgraceful
@jl: there’s always one moron scroller