Africa Cup of Nations Wrap Up (and Goals) 1.31.08

January 31st, 2008 | by: Daryl | Comments Off

The last of the Africa Cup of Nations groups was settled today when Tunisia and Angola played out a mutually beneficial 0-0 draw in Kumasi, placing them first and second in Group D respectively.

Senegal 1-1 South Africa

One of these teams needed to win today, as a draw condemned both of them to failure. Senegal came into this in horrible condition: winless, without the coach that started the tournament, and with El-Hadji Diouf, Tony Sylva and Ousmane N’Doye all suspended from international duty for going out on the town in midweek.

Good news for MLS fans was that Bouna Coundol played in goal for Senegal in Sylva’s absence, so the league finally got some on-field Africa Cup of Nations representation. And according to Laurie, who LiveBlogged the game, he did himself and MLS proud. Nothing Condoul could do about Elrio Van Heerden’s opener for South Africa though. Great volley:

But Henri Camara (starting in Diouf’s absence) leveled things up with this composed finish:

And if you doubt Condoul’s contribution, get a load of this fantastic save and then this maybe even more fantastic save that kept Senegal from finishing bottom of Group D.

Though neither team won, it didn’t really matter. The result of the Angola vs Tunisia game meant these teams never had a chance.

Angola 0-0 Tunisia

Both teams knew a draw would send them through. And it finished 0-0. Conspiracy theorists will suspect that that wasn’t an accident. But the truth is that both teams played to win, and both teams created a few chances. Certainly the last ten minutes or so was a bit tame, with neither team willing to get too adventurous, but up until that point it was a proper game of football.

Tunisia started the now available after suspension Amine Chermiti, and the teenage Etoile du Sahel striker will have been frustrated that he didn’t score. Tunisia preyed on Angola keeper Lama’s weakness with catching crossing. In fact weakness isn’t the right word. Phobia? Medical condition. Lama not only refuses to leave his line to claim a cross, he even punches uncontested balls that are coming straight to him. Lama got lucky when Chermiti got on the end of a deep cross that any other keeper would have claimed. Chermiti’s header bounced just wise, and was probably the closest either team came. At the other end Angola threatened through the increasingly high profile Manucho and his pesky strike partner Flavio, though neither team found a way past either keeper. So no goals and both teams through.

Complete quarterfinal pairings and schedule.

Watch Africa Cup of Nations online.