The African Cup of Nations is one of the most slept-on soccer tournaments in the world. 2010 saw Togo’s team get shot up in their bus and Nigeria’s president try to ban the Super Eagles from international competition after they flamed out in the group stages. Zambia won the final after 15 penalty shots.

This year’s has been less eventful so far through the opening round besides this flying kick from Jemal Tassew that saw him get a red card while being carried off on a stretcher after faking an injury. Note the ref laughing as he signals for the medics to get Tassew off the field.

The tournament was moved to South Africa from Libya due to somewhat extenuating circumstances. Unfortunately this heralded the return of the vuvuzela. If no one is there to blow a vuvuzela, does Cape Verde still suck? Not as much as Bafana Bafana.

H/T to The Guardian

Check out the heart-warming tale of the only Ethiopian pro skier who is headed to the Winter Olympics.  Robel Teklemariam goes by the name “Beredoe Shartate” or  ”Ice Slider” in English because there is no actual word for snow in the Ethiopian language and will be competing in the men’s 15-kilometer cross country skiing event.  Pretty impressive for the guy to make it to the Olympics training only with roller skis.  That is dedication there…of course he didn’t have any competition so his path was a little easier than most, but he’s got to have some skills otherwise they wouldn’t have sent him out there.  Seriously though, how is this not the basis for the MUCH needed Cool Runnings 2 or some sappy The Blind Side type biopic?  I sense a deal coming his way soon.  Anyway, enjoy, happy friday.