GRi Sports News 02 - 02 - 2000
Accra (Greater Accra), 2nd February 2000
Final Group C matches of the on-going Cup of Nations tournament were honoured yesterday with Egypt and Senegal emerging as qualifiers to the quarterfinal stage of the competition.
Senegal fought Zambia to a 2-2 standstill to put the West African country through to their first quarter final berth after 1992 when they hosted the competition while Egypt fought hard to earn a 4-2 victory after going down 0 - 2 in the first 23minutes.
It was Senegal’s Lions who twice went ahead at the Lagos Surulere Stadium when Henry Camara and Salif Keita hit the back of the net in the 47th and 81st minutes.
A neat chip by Laughter Chilembe in the 52nd minute and a penalty converted by veteran Kwalusha Bwalya who may be having his last tournament appearance in the 89th minute pulled even for Zambia’s Chipoloplos.
In Kano, the Stallions from Burkina Faso became the first to hit the Egyptian Pharaohs’ net when Ismael Koudou scored for his side in the ninth minute from close range. Dutch based Ousmane Sanou made it two for the West Africans 14 minutes later but Ahmed Salah of German side VFB Stuttgart pulled one back for the Pharaohs to end the first half.
A penalty equaliser came the way of the Egyptians in the last quarter of the game through Hossan Hassam before the North Africans went ahead through Hani Ramzy and Abdulhalim Ali in the final minutes of the game.
The final games leave Egypt and Senegal tops of Group C with nine points and four points respectively to advance to the next stage.
Zambia who went cash strapped during their preparation era placed third with two points ahead of Burkina Faso who trailed with a point.
Final Group Table - GROUP 'C'
|
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts. |
GD |
|
Egypt |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
+5 |
|
Senegal |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
+1 |
|
Zambia |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
B. Fasso |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
-4 |
Action shifts to Ghana today with Group B matches to be honoured at Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadiums.
In Accra the Azzingo Nationale of Gabon will thrill fans with their entertaining but unproductive soccer as they engage the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the Kumasi Stadium Algeria and South Africa will lock horns to determine who tops the Group to remain at Kumasi.
GRi