Africa Cup of Nations Wrap Up (Plus Goals) 1.27.08

Two 3-1 wins finally broke the four way deadlock in Group D today. Tunisia’s win over South Africa was expected, but Angola’s triumph over Senegal was as surprising as it was entertaining.

Angola 3-1 Senegal

Angola went into this one making the usual underdog noises about how they shouldn’t be understimated. Sample quote from coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves: “They are candidates for the title, but there are 11 players on each side.” This is usually followed by a defeat for the underdog team and it certainly looked that way when the game began and it emerged that most of the Senegalese players towered over the Angolans. It looked like men against noticeably smaller men and a big win for the big team when Abdoulaye Faye put Senegal 1-0 up with a header.

But Angola kept going, and the quality of their attacking players showed. Ze Kalanga was too quick for the Senegalese and Moustapha Bayal Sall was reduced to kicking the pacy little winger more than once. Even more impressive was the equally tiny Flavio defied the laws of physics and won all kinds of headers against Faye and Diawara. But it was Angola’s one big player Manucho, soon to be of Manchester United, who made the difference, meeting a Ze Kalenga cross at the far post to equalize. Then Senegal keeper Tony Sylva continued his excellent Paul Robinson impression by fluffing a cross and giving Manucho the chance to poke home. Finally, Flavio himself scored a header to make it 3-1 and leave Senegal wondering how he beat them in the air.

So Senegal’s defensive frailties exposed again, and a huge win for Angola. The Palancas Negras have never rmade it beyond the group stage, but with four points from two games it now looks a possibility.

South Africa 1-3 Tunisia

Tunisia had looked defensive and dull in their first game, while South Africa had looked vibrant while successfully chasing an equaliser against Angola. But Carlos Alberto Parreira kept Elrio Van Heerden, the hero of that game, on the bench. Steven Peinaar was more impressive today and pulled the strings in attacking midfield. He even set up Mphela to score in the 87th minute, but realistically this game was already over by half-time.

Brazilian born striker Silva Dos Santos has been in poor form lately but gave Tunisia the lead in the eighth minute with an impressive diving header. In the 30th minute Dos Santos struck the post, allowing Ben Saada to pounce on the rebound when South Africa’s defender’s didn’t look interested in reacting. Two minutes later Nasief Morris did a bit of a Titus Bramble and tried to play a backpass to his keeper without looking up to see Dos Santos on his shoulder. Dos Santos merrily latched on to the accidental through ball, skipped around the keeper and rolled it home. 3-0 and game over.

How we stand in Group D:

Tunisia 4pts (+2 goal difference, scored 5)
Angola 4pts (+2 goal difference, scored 4)
Senegal 1pt (-2 goal difference, scored 3)
South Africa 1pt (-2 goal difference, scored 2)

It’s worth pointing out that when two (or more) teams are tied for points, the final placings are determined first on head to head between the teams involved, then on goal difference and then on goals scored.

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