A night of 'thunder-scorers' in Angola
A night of 'thunder-scorers' in Angola
Egypt's Pharaohs are kicking their way through to the quarterfinals flirting with the chance of winning their seventh African Nations' Cup.
After an easy 2-0 victory over Benin last night, Egypt is the only team of the tournament to have completed a perfect first round winning all three matches and finishing with nine points. The Pharaohs led the game from the seventh minute, since Benin’s goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou was caught unprepared and let the cross ball of Ahmed al Muhammadi go over his head and into the net. Djidonou learnt his lesson and was more active for the rest of the game. Even though he could not prevent conceding a second goal during the first half, his confrontation with Egyptian Motaeb until he finally scored offered some exciting moments to the teams' fans.
The Nigerian Super Eagles opened their wings only a minute before half-time. Even though a simple draw would be enough for them to qualify, they reacted strongly to Mozambique's efforts for victory. Mozambique's Mambas knowing that they had to win focused on scoring, which they didn't, loosening at the same time their defense. Once the Nigerians realised that was the case, they started taking advantage of the situation managing at last to score three goals, leaving no chance to their opponents for victory. On the 44th minute Odemwingwe scored the first goal, to continue with a second one only a few minutes later; this time during the second half.
The Mozambicans played an exciting game creating some chances and making things for the Nigerians difficult, but in the 88th minute their goalkeeper could not avoid a third goal by substitute player Obafemi Martins. Even though the Mozambican goalkeeper saved the first attempt of Obi Mikel to score, Martins used the loose ball to accurately send it in the net.
Tonight, the winners of Group C will find out who their next adversary is going to be. In the quarterfinals Nigeria will play its first match against the top winners of Group D, while Egypt will compete against whoever comes second in the same group.
Traditional rivals to play in CAN semi finals
Algeria and Egypt will be playing against each other in Benguela stadium as part of the first semi finals match of Africa Cup of Nations tournament
Zambia, Cameroon make it to quarter-finals
In Thursday’s Group D matches, Zambia qualified for the quarter finals by defeating Gabon with a score of 2-1 at the Benguela stadium
Angola, Algeria : looks like they made it to the next round
A simple goalless draw on Monday was enough for the Angolan hosts but also for the Algerian Desert Foxes to make it to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations
New records in the Africa Cup of Nations and there is still more to see…
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions might have stayed quiet for more than an hour, but their roar on the 68th minute was enough to scare the Zambians away and convert Sunday’s match into one of the most exciting during this weekend
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