Cameroon vs Tunisia: Last Chance For Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage Drama

January 21st, 2010 | by: Daryl |

CamTun1 Speaking as a neutral fan, the final round of group games at of the 2010 African Cup of Nations have been a little disappointing so far. Angola and Algeria played out that goalless draw to go through from Group A, Ghana eked out a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso to join Cote D’Ivoire as qualifiers from Group B, and last night Egypt and Nigeria each recorded expected victories to qualify from Group C. So, if there’s any (on-field) drama to be had from the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s all down to Group D.

If you’ve already read our guide to the group stage finale, then you already know the situation in Group D. If not, then allow me to explain. Because tonight’s games could hold the excitement we’ve been waiting for.

group d

It’s a nice even spread. We’ve got the unfancied (by some) Gabon on top with four points. Cameroon second with three point, Tunisia in third with two points, and Zambia bottom with just the one. But you could tell that from looking at the above image, right?

The big game to watch today is Cameroon vs Tunisia. Two of the bigger CAF teams. West Africa vs North Africa. Only one of them can go through. Tunisia need a win or they’re out. Cameroon need a win to make sure.

The other game is not quite as glamorous, but still pretty interesting. Gabon vs Zambia. Top vs Bottom. Gabon just need a draw to make sure. Zambia need to win. If Zambia do win, and Cameroon and Tunisia draw, then we’ll have a headache inducing three way tie at the top on four points, with Gabon, Cameroon and Zambia’s head to head record all cancelling each other out.

Both games kick off at 5pm local time (that’s 11am US eastern, 4pm UK time).

- For more on Gabon, visit Gabon World Cup Blog where Hull fan Matt is following Daniel Cousin’s progress.
- For more on Cameroon, visit Shane at Cameroon World Cup Blog
- For more on Tunisia, visit Rami at Tunisia World Cup Blog, where you’ll find an excellent and in-depth preview of today’s game. (Which is also where I borrowed the Eagle vs Lion image at the top of this post from. Thanks Rami!)

If you’re going to watch this game online in the United States or Canada, then allow us to suggest our very legal and very reliable online streaming friends at MyAfricanFootball.com:

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://seattle.theoffside.com laurie

Thanks for the reminder. I’ve forgotten to watch most of the group stage games, but I’ve got myP2P.eu all fired up and ready to go.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Tunisia 1-0 up after 50 seconds through Chermiti. Game on!
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Plus, Cameroon have made loads of changes for this game. Rigobert Song, Geremi, Emana and Mbia all left out. Eto’o playing left instead of central for some reason. Not sure what Paul Le Guen is doing.
http://seattle.theoffside.com laurie

Damn, I run out for a latte, tune in in the thirteenth minute and I’ve missed a goal!
http://gabon.worldcupblog.org Matt

Eagle headbutting Lion, FTW
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

I want to know how the photographer found an eagle and a lion with the same size heads. Does the eagle have a freakishly big head? Or is the lion’s head dangerously small?
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

1-1 now, Eto’o equalized at the start of the second half. With Zambia winning in the other game, I’m not sure who’s going through right now.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Oh dear. Tunisia now 2-1 up after a horrible horrible horrible Cameroon own goal.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Argh! 2-2. Nguemo from distance. Proper Africa Cup of Nations drama now. Also, 2-0 to Zambia in the other game.
sscouser

Regulations of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations

Article 72

In case of equality of points between two or more teams, at the conclusion of the group matches, the ranking of the teams shall be established according to the following criteria:

72.1. Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams
in question;
72.2. The best goal difference in the matches between the teams in question;
72.3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams
concerned;
72.4. Goal difference in all group matches;
72.5. Greatest number of goals scored in all the group matches;
72.6. Fair Play points system taking into account the number of yellow and red
cards;
72.7. Drawing of lots by CAF Organising Committee.
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/acn-angola-2010-group-a-down-to-the-wire.html

If the scores remain like this then Cameroon and Zambia are through
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

If the scores remain as they are now, am I right in thinking that:

2.2. The best goal difference in the matches between the teams in question;

means goal difference in games involving all teams except Tunisia?
sscouser

Yes
sscouser

Gabon pulled one back but Zambia and Cameroon will still go through.

If the game ends 2-1 then Zambia and Gabon will be tied on both points and goal difference.

We’ll go to:
72.3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams
concerned;

Zambia scored more goals than Gabon. Viva COSAFA!
http://angola.worldcupblog.org/ Kiko

What a way to end the group stages!
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Was a bit more like it, eh Kiko? Good stuff. So Zambia and Cameroon through, but Cameroon not looking quite as good as expected so far.
Naveen

I am assuming Zambia are winners of the group because of higher number of goals scored against opponents in question. Am i right?

So that means Cameroon Vs Egypt
and Nigeria Vs Zambia
MoMONEY

So Cameroon is second in the group? That means they play Egypt next…
http://www.malawi.worldcupblog.org sscouser

yes, Zambians are winners of the group and they will face Nigeria. Cameroon will face Egypt.
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/acn-angola-2010-the-elite-8.html
Shazback

Final Rankings :

1 – Zambia – 4pts
2 – Cameroon – 4pts
3 – Gabon – 4pts
4 – Tunisia – 3pts

Since it’s a 3-way tie, here’s the rankings without Tunisia :

1 – Zambia – 3 points – +0GD – 4 goals scored
2 – Cameroon – 3 points – +0GD – 3 goals scored
3 – Gabon – 3 points – +0GD – 2 goals scored

So Cameroon will face Egypt (Winners group C vs 2nd group D) and Zambia will face Nigeria (Winners group D vs 2nd group C).
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Worth noting that the Egypt vs Cameroon quarterfinal game will be a rematch of the 2008 final.
Seth

My predictions:

Angola v. Ghana = Ghana
Zambia v. Nigeria = Nigeria

Ivory Coast v. Algeria = IVC
Egypt v. Cameroon = Egypt

Ghana v. Nigeria = Ghana
IVC v. Egypt = IVC

Ghana v. IVC = IVC
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Hey Daryl, just saw this. Good job highlighting what was a thrilling match. And glad you found the pic useful, last time we met Cameroon it was awesome and this game lived up to expectations too. Too bad we keep coming out with the short end of the stick but oh well, young team in rebuilding mode and we’ll be back for more in two years time! Best of luck to Cameroon in their next match.
baba

jag gillar inte detta spel det suger
baba

tja jag hetter baba jag vill va med dig imorgon för jag vill testa alla spel du har gjort min vänn carl bla bla jag är en datanörd!!!!!!!!