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
Tsunki
Feb 21, 2012 at 10:58 PM
Comment #161TDS – thats what I think. Suliva is hacked because he got done with the triple – Ba, Nolan, Morrison and obviously hated it because he thought HE was the guy in charge of the screwing business.
ToonDownSouth
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Comment #162Tsunki
Those stats about Krul are interesting actually – because prior to Taylors injury we’d actually conceded the least shots on target in the league.
That’s ridiculous! Although we all know how much Taylor throws his body in the way.
As for Sullivan, what should we expect from a scumbag who made his fortune in porn?
singapie
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Comment #163hi guys! i’m a magpie supporter from singapore. I would like to come over to newcastle to watch the match against norwich on the 17th of march but am unable to purchase any tickets yet as I am not a member. I’ve been considering buying a membership but the season is almost over.. would any nufc member out there be willing to purchase 2 tickets for me? cheers! 🙂
Tsunki
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:34 PM
Comment #164Singapie – wait til members sale is over then buy your tickets. Or just get on the plane and come to the ground on the day and buy em at the box office – not much chance of a sell-out.
alip123
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Comment #165Singpie – check the online box office at nufc.co.uk and buy them tickets online. That would be my advice
beefman13
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Comment #166Tsunki, i can tell you rob elliot is a very capable goalie his handling shot stopping and kicking are spot on, i watch all the reserve games i can and am very impressed with the lad.
Tsunki
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Comment #167Yep I’m just kidding about our reserve goalie – I can’t imagine AP buying a crap goalie as reserve when Foster is gaining respect at Celtic. he must be decent to keep him at arms length. My hyperbole was a bit of a jokey way to point out how any team would be fragile without key players, and that stats are interesting but very rarely the last word. NUFC defies stats IMO in that every time they are applied to us it seems to indicate we should be battling with the bottom 3 but what the heck – we aren’t!
Tsunki
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:59 PM
Comment #168Well it looks like everyones gone beddy-byes so I will too.
Tsunki
Feb 22, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Comment #169oh and Singapie – Norwich public sale online from Wed 29.02.2012 (online) at http://www.nufc.co.uk ticket sales. Gute nacht meine liebe schoen
toonfan_Ew Ew
Feb 22, 2012 at 12:36 AM
Comment #170https://twitter.com/#!/dembabafoot/status/172065522014371841/photo/1
This made me laugh a bit when I saw it. Word on the block, i.e. according to Ba, is that Papiss Cisse is a great cook. He posted this up saying that he’d driven Cisse round to the food shop so that Cisse could pick up ingredients for a meal he was going to make for himself and Ba! Always funny to see the banter the players have off the pitch!
Level 7 Hero
Feb 22, 2012 at 1:16 AM
Comment #171Massive weekend, game against Wolves to set us up for the game against the Mackems and then we find out if 6th will definetly be good enough for Europe, with the Carling Cup final on sunday.
With Liverpool playing the Carling Cup this weekend, and obviously no league game for them, we have a great oppotunity to pull points ahead of them, albeit they would have a game in hand, but psychologically it would be good for us. They then play Arsenal in there next league game, the same day we play Sunderland.
It really is hotting up, loads of scenerios appearring. It’s great.
I think we’ll dismantle Wolves on saturday, with a goal in the first 10 mins setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Channel 5 next year, can’t wait for away matches to Zagreb & Tallinn.
Level 7 Hero
Feb 22, 2012 at 1:18 AM
Comment #172pull 6 points ahead of them*
RonVanDam
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:26 AM
Comment #173@ 4 Thats Tim Krul
~Papiss-Toon~
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:53 AM
Comment #174@RonVanDam
Nope. If you look at the feet, there are 4 set’s of feet but we only see the head’s/body of 3 people. the 4th person is covered by Tim Krul.
I suspect its Ben Arfa and not Guttierez, because Guttierez is the same height if not taller then Krul. Isn’t he?
~Papiss-Toon~
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:04 AM
Comment #175I’m hoping Pardew utilizes a 4-3-3 Lineup. Especially if Wolves are without a new manager. There is a good chance that their lineup will have holes that we can expose with flair and pace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Krul~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~Simmo~~~~~~~Willo~~Colo~~~~~~~~~~Santon~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~tiote~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~Cabaye~~~~~~~~~~~Guthrie~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ben Arfa~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~Cisse~~~~~~~~~~~~Ba~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subs:
– Elliot
– Perch
– Raylor
– Guttierez
– Gosling
– Obertan
– Strolla
However if he goes with a 4-4-2, this is the lineup I would prefer,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Krul~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~Simmo~~~~~~~Willo~~Colo~~~~~~~~~~Santon~
~~~Raylor~~~~~~Cabaye~Tiote~~~~~~~~Guttierez~
~~~~~~~~~~~~Cisse~~~~~~~~Ba~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subs:
– Elliot
– Perch
– Guthrie
– Ben Arfa
– Gosling
– Obertan
– Strolla
Ideally though, I would prefer if Guttierez was rested during this game, his defensive capabilities and workhorse ethic will come in far more handy against the mackem’s, who in all honesty have been on amazing form under Martin O’Neil.
FloridaToon
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Comment #176I have a feeling that wolves will play alot of men behind the ball and try to grind out a scoreless draw, thats why HBA needs to start. He has the ablility to unlock the defense and create space.
Rosted Pork
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #177Newcastle United vs.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
LIVE ON STARSPORT IN INDIA 🙂
Indian Magpie
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:21 AM
Comment #178how much does a season ticket at NUFc cost and what does entitle the holder?
RonVanDam
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Comment #179@174 I think it’s obertan, Skinny leg and long feet lol
RonVanDam
Feb 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #180Just noticed – If you look at the other pic’s on the site of the team training. Arfa is wearing Orange Boots, Oberton is wearing Yellow Boots. The other 2 who are wearing white shoes apart from the ones in the main pic are Shola and Gutti. Il’llnow say its Gutti :p