Newcastle’s star midfielder Cheick Tiote has spoken for the first time today, of his heart-break at losing the African Cup of Nations to Zambia.
Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote – in action in the African Cup od Nations
The game against Zambia ended up 0-0 after extra time and that was after Didier Drogba, of all people, had missed a penalty for the Ivorians after 70 minutes in regular time, when he ballooned the ball over the bar.
The Ivory Coast were one of the hot favorites before the tournament began, and even bigger favorites before the final against Zambia, who had never won the tournament – and the Ivory Coast were winners back in 1992.
And Cheick’s team will go down in history as the only side never to have conceded a goal in regular time or extra time, yet still lost the tournament, as they went down agonizingly 8-7 on penalties, after all first 14 penalties had been converted.
And Cheick Tiote played his part in the final, make no mistake about that, because not only did he play the full 120 minutes, but he took the very first penalty – and scored too.
This is what Cheick said today:
“All the people there, they love the national team and they love the country,” “So we are really disappointed because we didn’t win the competition.”
“I gave my medal to my friend because I was so disappointed. I didn’t want to keep that, so I gave it to my friend.” “We did well, but we didn’t win it. Maybe next year we will win the competition.”
With the hopes of a country resting on his shoulders, Tiote showed great courage to step up and take the first penalty, slotting past Kennedy Mweene.
“Normally I never take penalties, but I took the responsibility to take a penalty because it was difficult for other players to take the first penalty.”
“So I took the responsibility to take the first penalty and I scored, which gave confidence to my team-mates.” “But although we did well in the competition, in the final we were unlucky in the penalty shoot out and lost the game.”
“That’s football – you cannot win every time, so I will look to the next game ahead and stay positive.”
Cheick did his very best for his country, and that’s all you can ask of anybody.
But the Newcastle man showed his real courage and guts by volunteering to take the first penalty for the Ivory Coast, and the first one of the penalty shoot-out.
And to score showed you the big heart and great spirit this lad has.
We’re so pleased to have Cheick Tiote on Newcastle’s books, and we offer Cheick our congratulations, and even though the side failed at the very last hurdle – we are very proud of him.
Comments welcome.
180 comments so far
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:05 PM
Comment #81rich – I’m quiet happy for Liverpool to pay 50mil for Henderson, Downing and Adams while we pay 14mil for HBA, Tiote and Cabaye
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Comment #82Not to mention the 55mil for Suarez and Carrol and our measly 9mil for Ba and Cisse 🙂
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Comment #83yeh considering liverpool spent so much during the past year yet the only player to really make a difference is gerrard, who is now 31, so not many years left in him.
chelsea have spent a fortune and are slipping away
arsenal wont spend on big players and its starting to show
i think in a couple years time we could do what tottenham have done and break the top 4….pardew set us up well at the start of the season until we lost saylor….lack of depth in the defence has cost us….got to take that hit this year and hopefully strengthen when players available in the summer
expect our business done early to avoid added value from the euro’s and olympics
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Comment #84agree Jack….but thats what i mean…..not that i want those players but if liverpool go i for them then we cant compete….just need to go quietly about our business signing lesser names but with more quality
check the toastie
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Comment #85Rich toon – like your teams however we all know it will be 442 with raylor and jonas out wide, predictable but good enough for wolves, however if Shola comes on before Ben Arfa i will run on the pitch and set fire to pardews beautifully sculpted hair.
Oleg G
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Comment #86I think only on Russian TV you can get a mini history lesson about knights battles in the middle ages from the commentator during a football match hhh…. (watching the Chelsea game with sopcast to a Russian channel).
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:10 PM
Comment #87Sometimes I get asked by other fans if I think we’re a bigger club than Liverpool,sometimes after a few sherberts I’ve said yes,but I suppose you can’t really argue with their trophy haul over the years if thats what makes you a big club.
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #88Anyone else think that the whole Daglish and Suarez debarcle will impact on them signing players???
MagpiesFlyHigh
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #89DO NOT want scum to win ANYTHING
As for Europe – If the Italians have more class then I’m okay with them winning. However, I would like AVB to be given the time to rebuild the Chelski team though, assuming Abramovic doesn’t lose patience and chuck his toys again.
I’d also like Wenger to prove his way of playing can still win trophies by being allowed the same latitude to rebuild his team…
Bindippers – fur coat and nae knickers
Barras
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #90Demba Ba @dembabafoot
Driving papis around to get food from the shop. He told me he’s a great cooker. So i’ll find out soon
Demba Ba @dembabafoot
Papis tha CHEF haha pic.twitter.com/3Hr7wdUf
Additionally, YESSSS! Come on Napoli. Loving this.
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #91BPL best football league in the world?
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #92haha yeh i agree Check, but i understand pardew in a way….our full backs can be exposed so he is favvouring defensive wide players….not ideal but if its a fix until the summer transfer window i am happy…..as long as the quality comes in later
also did people know Kia Joorabchian has an official role at the club as ‘football advisor’….if this is true hope he can do some dodgy deals for the next tevez
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Comment #93Check
I’m with you on disliking them nearly as much as the mackems.
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Comment #94Barras, how can you be loving this? They are making a mockery out of English football. Out of us… !
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:14 PM
Comment #95I always want the English teams to do well in champs league, ensures we get more european places from our league…..plus i dont like how our fans get labelled as trouble makers by fifa when all sorts happens in europe, especially italy
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Comment #96https://twitter.com/#!/dembabafoot/status/172065522014371841/photo/1
Sheikh MagToon
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Comment #97Why are people saying that Ba will leave as he will get half the transfer fee? That’s not what Sullivan said. If anyone can be bothered to read it, he said Ba gets 50% of the fee above £7m. If we sell him for £10 m, we keep £8.5 m. His cut would be less than we paid his agent to sign him.
Ben Arfa wil not start, either on Saturday or ever again for us. He’s a benchwarmer for next 13 games then on his bike.
ToonDownSouth
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Comment #98Sheikh
I think you meant to say “I think” before the last statement.
MagpiesFlyHigh
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Comment #99rich
Yeh reckon PArdew is playing a stop gap formation till he can strengthen. Then Benny would be a natural atarter.
Wouldn’t touch Kia J with yours..
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:18 PM
Comment #100GG – The BPL is the best league in the world as long as you don’t watch Spanish or Italian football
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:20 PM
Comment #101I’ve been off her for a week or so. All because I got peeeed of with a certain argument/discussion. I thought it was a dead fish. But NO. Sheikh MagToon has to start it off again in his last 2 sentences @ 97. 🙁
Sheikh MagToon
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Comment #102TDS, I ‘d bet a year ‘s salary on it.
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Comment #103JackButler 🙂
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Comment #104GG – How does German football stack up to the Premier League in regards of quality, pace and excitement?
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Comment #105i certainly wouldn’t but on his wikipedia page it says he has an official role with our club….could explain the cheap deals we have been getting
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Comment #106*I’ve been off her for a week or so. I meant. “off here.” Off her has been a month or so. 🙂
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Comment #107GG – PMSL
ToonDownSouth
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Comment #108Jack
Do you genuinely prefer La Liga? Even the clubs in La Liga think the league is an absolute joke – except the top 2 of course!
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Comment #109Jack, I’d say it was a very very close second. In aggression. Equal.
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:26 PM
Comment #110ToonDownSouth – I prefer watching the Premier League as it’s more physical and exciting, but La Liga I think is technically better with more teams that try to play football and not just slam it up front
ToonDownSouth
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:29 PM
Comment #111Jack
Imo, the least you can expect from a league system is a level playing field, and La Liga doesn’t provide that.
People often say “if Real & Barca were in the PL then they’d be running away with it”, but if they were in the PL they wouldn’t be getting 80% of the TV rights money!
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:32 PM
Comment #112TDS – Is the Premier League a level playing field when teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Man City can spend hundreds of millions on players and pay them stupid amount of money in wages? How many players did QPR sign simply cause they can pay 80k a week?
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:33 PM
Comment #113la liga is no more one sided than the prem….can only ever think in past ten years that each season it has been man utd and one other tem compteting for the tittle……that other one team may change but rarely do you get a genuine 3 or 4 horse race.
la liga is interesting to watch barca vs real or maybe them sides against valencia and villareal in recent times but other gmes arent great……same way wolves vs blackburn is never a great watch
ToonDownSouth
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Comment #114Jack
But it’s not the league that gives them that money. When these financial fair play rules come in to play, QPR, Chelsea, City won’t be able to inject hundreds of millions into the club.
However, Real & Barca will still get a combined 80% of the league’s TV revenue.
rich
It’s far more two sided than the prem haha. Manchester United and City don’t win score 4,5 or 6 every single week!
Papiss9
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:45 PM
Comment #115Real and Barca are much better than any in the premier league.. they would crush the teams in PL too
GeordieGesus
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:45 PM
Comment #116So I’ll go out tomorrow and have the pee taken out of me. Why? Because I#m English and another English (so called best league in the world) has been hammered. In England I wouldn’t give a shhhh sugar. But living in a foreign country. It p i s s e s me off.
rich_toonfan
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:47 PM
Comment #117well it is in terms of scoreline…but in terms of how many sides compete for the title it isn’t
nd yeh the way they do tv revenue is ridiculous….but it wont change as they have the power and changing will not benefit them
nd can you really see financial fair play working? if real spend more than they should can you see uefa banning them from the champs league? that would cost uefa too much in advertising/sponsorship if the big teams were removed. Uefa will hand out small, pointless fines and warnings but eventually drop the fair play rules or just ignore them
MagpiesFlyHigh
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:47 PM
Comment #118JB
The leagues you mention are about as level as SJP.
La Liga is about the same as the EPL.The fair play rules will be flouted and nothing will be done about it.
Why are Manure allowed to run an £800m+ deficit ?
Why does the Etihad naming drive a coach and first 11 through the new rules ? cos money talks…. Be interesting if the bindippers get the same preferential treatment though given their vast player budgets..
JackButler
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:48 PM
Comment #119TDS – to be honest mate I didn’t know that they get 80% of the TV revenue which does out the other clubs at a disadvantage.
Regarding the Financial Fair Play Rules, a financial expert has said that there are so many loop holes to be exploited they are not worth the paper they were written on. FIFA and UEFA are terrified that the top clubs in Europe will form a break away league but have to be seen to be doing something to get the financial side of the game in order. I hope that he’s wrong as it would benefit us with the way the club is being run, but to me a level playing field would see a wage cap in place and a wage cap that all clubs in that league could afford and a limit on the maximum transfer fee. It’ll never happen though
TemuriKetsbaia
Feb 21, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Comment #120English teams have been an embarrassment in the CL this season. Time for a shake up.
Lets grab fourth and show these Spanish/Italian teams what it’s about.
Passion and noise and attacking football at St James!!!