TheCable

DR CONGO, TUNISIA PROGRESS DESPITE DRAW

DR Congo and Tunisia booked their places in the quarter finals despite playing a 1-1 draw in their final 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Group B match at the Estadio de Bata on Monday.

Tunisia topped the group with five points followed by DR Congo in second on three points and better goal difference to Cape Verde who also finished on three points after a 0-0 draw against Zambia in the matches played simultaneously.

The North Africans almost came close to scoring in the first 10 minutes of the match when Ferjani Sassi found space in the box. He dribbled past the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared off the line.

Tunisia pressed on and were denied in the 20th minute when the keeper made a fingertip save off a shot from Yassine Chikhaoui.

In the 28th minute, DR Congo’s first chance of the match came when a 24-yard free-kick from Jean Kasusula was saved by the keeper.

Tunisia’s pressure eventually paid off when they took the lead on the half hour mark from an Ahmed Akaichi header.

DR Congo came on the offensive at the restart of the match and almost drew level but Dieumerci Mbokani was denied by the keeper in a one-on-one situation.

Mbokani made amends as his assist earned his side an equaliser scored by Jeremie Bokila in the 61st minute.

Both sides came close to finding the winner to no avail. First it was Tunisia in the 75th minute but Hamza Younes’ effort went wide.

DR Congo on their part were unlucky as Jean Kasusula’s   83rd minute long range drive failed to hit target.

The score line remained that way till the referee’s final whistle.

Line-up

DR Congo: Muteba, Mbemba, Mpela, Djos, Kilichio, Mongongu, Makiadi, Bolasie, Mabwati, Ndombe, Bezua

Tunisia: A. Mathlouthi, Yakoubi, Youssef, Maaloul, H. Mathlouthi, Abdennour, Khazri, Sassi, Ragued, Akaichi, Chikhaoui

ZAMBIA, CAPE VERDE BOW OUT OF AFCON

Zambia and Cape Verde bowed out of the AFCON after the two teams could only settle for a goalless draw in a Group C match played at the Ebebiyin Stadium.

It was an encouraging start by the two teams, but it was Zambia who made the first real effort on goal.

Given Singuluma 16th minute shot from just outside the box put Cape Verde keeper to test but he dealt with it well producing a fine save.

Cape Verde’s Heldon Ramos looked dangerous on the ball, but the wet conditions in the stadium did not help the two teams.

Rainford Kabala’s 24-yard free-kick for Zambia in the 42nd minute was tipped over the post by keeper Josimar Dias.

Cape Verde couldn’t convert from the set piece as well as Garry Rodrigues fired a low 20-yard free-kick narrowly wide.

On 53 minutes Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene did well to punch away a dangerous ball.

Neither side could find a winner as both teams threw men forward in attack but it was all disappointment when the referee blew the final whistle to end the match.

Line-up

Cape Verde: Dias, Varela, C. Tavares, I. Tavares, Barros, Monteiro, Rocha, Lima, Ramos, Rodrigues, Mendes

Zambia: Mweene, Sunzu, Nkausu, Munthali, Mtonga, Mbola, Kalaba, Lungu, Musonda, Singuluma, Kangwa

DAY 11 FIXTURES

JANUARY 27

Group C

South Africa v Ghana

Senegal v Algeria

AFCON NEWS!

GYAN: EVERY PLAYER IS IMPORTANT IN THE TEAM

Ghana’s captain, Asamoah Gyan, has refused to single out any single Black Star player for special praise at the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

The Al Ain player received most of the praises for his last-gasp winner against Algeria which restored the team’s chances of qualifying from their group.

But Gyan says it’s all about teamwork.

“For me every player is important in the Ghana team,” he said.

“Anybody who has been given the opportunity is ready to die for the nation. That is what I believe in.”

Ghana will qualify for the quarter finals with a win over South Africa on Tuesday.

AYEW: GHANA NOT GETTING AHEAD OF THEMSELVES

Andre Ayew has declared that Ghana will benefit from their first win at the AFCON but insists the Black Stars are not getting ahead of themselves.

A last-gasp goal from captain Asamoah Gyan was all Ghanan needed to edge Algeria 1-0 last Friday in Mongomo, a result which leaves them second in Group C ahead of the final group game against South Africa on Tuesday.

They are yet to find their rhythm after two games, but Ayew believes they can offer more despite a rather slow start.

“This is not the best Ghana, many of us like Gyan and I are not 100 percent fit, but we can do a lot more,” Ayew said.

“Even after the win against Algeria, we cannot afford to get over-confident. We’re happy, but won’t take anything for granted. Algeria is past and next is South Africa. It will be a very tough battle on Tuesday.

“Expectations back at home must now have risen, but Ghana have always dealt with the pressure even though it could be difficult.”

MORALE IS HIGH, INSISTS GOURCUFF

Christian Gourcuff insists morale within Algeria’s squad is high ahead of their Orange Africa Cup of Nations Group C decider with Senegal.

The two go head-to-head in Malabo on Tuesday, with all four teams in the pool still able to progress to the last eight.

Senegal need a point to reach the last eight, while Algeria must at least match Ghana’s result to avoid elimination.

After their opening-game win over South Africa, Algeria suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ghana and reports began to surface of altercations within the 23-man squad.

However, coach Gourcuff believes his players are fully focused on ensuring they do not fall at the group stages for a second successive tournament.

“It is certain that in a group, there is always something going on, but the relations are excellent and there is a great atmosphere,” said the Frenchman.

“There is a lot of unity and solidarity and this is priceless. Now there are totally false things that are said here and there and I leave full responsibility to reviewers.

“We will address this game against Senegal without calculation and we’ll do everything to win. We will have time to recover and prepare as it should be for this very important game for us.”

Algeria are looking to make the quarter-finals for the ninth time but they have lifted the title only once in 15 attempts.