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Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse’s Wednesday Night Disaster Could Save Newcastle

9 years ago
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Wednesday night saw hopes raised for Newcastle United that Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote could still be available throughout both January and February.

Results at the weekend for both Ivory Coast and Senegal had led to it looking like both clubs were nailed on to qualify for the finals.

However, last night’s results mean both players find it is in the balance as to whether they will now miss out on the African Cup Of Nations finals which run from 17 January to 8 February in the new year.

Past experience tells us that players can be missing for anything up to six weeks due to training camps before the tournament etc.

However, the bad news for the players but good news for the rest of us is that both countries fell to dramatic last gasp defeats on Wednesday night.

Papiss Cisse’s side looked like they were heading for a second goalless draw against Tunisia in the space of five days, only for Tunisia to score the winner in the 94th minute. Papiss Cisse played most of the game before being replaced by a certain Demba Ba late on.

The top two in each group go through and with Tunisia now looking sure to make it after four of the six games gone, Senegal next face what looks the decisive match when they play Egypt away, Cisse’s team currently only one point ahead of their rivals.

Ivory Coast produced even more drama as Cheick Tiote played in a dramatic qualifier. Ivory Coast had a player sent off, went 1-0 down and later 3-1 down, before a great fightback saw everything tied at 3-3.

However, Ivory Coast naively chased the winner and ended up conceding the winner with two minutes to go.

A draw would have seen Ivory Coast all but through as they’d have been three points clear with two games to go, however that late winner lifts DR Congo above Cheick Tiote’s team on goal difference.

Both countries still have to play group leaders Cameroon and those results are likely to be the decisive ones. The very final match seeing Ivory Coast at home to Cameroon.

With Tiote and Cisse looking Newcastle’s crucial two players in midfield and attack, being without them for up to six weeks in the new year could be a fatal blow to Newcastle’s hopes of climbing out of this season’s mess.

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