Champions Egypt bundled out of Nations Cup
Nigeria reach semi-finals after pitch invasion
Champions Egypt bundled out of Nations Cup
Kano (Nigeria), 8th February 2000
Defending champions Egypt suffered a shock 1-0 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Tunisia in the African Nations Cup on Monday.
A 22nd-minute penalty, needlessly conceded by Egyptian midfielder Ibrahim Said, proved the difference in a tough, physical and, at times, ill-tempered encounter, characterised by eight yellow cards.
Khaled Badra converted the penalty for the only goal of the match after Said had tripped Tarek Thabet.
Tunisia now meet Cameroon in Thursday's semi-final in Accra.
Egypt, strong favourites before the game, showed little of the attacking flair they had displayed in winning all three of their opening round games in Kano.
Egypt were the only side at the finals with a 100 percent record after the first round and were expected to be strong contenders for a place in Sunday's final.
Captain Hossam Hassan, making his 140th international appearance, had several half chances but was unable to reproduce the goal-scoring form that had seen him net 10 times in nine previous Nations Cup finals appearances over the last two tournaments.
The closest he came was in the 38th minute when his tame shot was cleared off the Tunisian goal line.
Tunisia played a spoiling game for most of the match, but proved the more enterprising side in the last 10 minutes as Egyptian confidence seemed to drop in the closing stages.
Egypt's defeat means the poor record of defending champions at the Nations Cup finals continues. The last country to successfully defend their title was Ghana in 1965.
GRi
Nigeria reach semi-finals after pitch invasion
Lagos (Nigeria) 8th February 2000
Jubilant Nigerian fans invaded the pitch and caused play to be delayed for 10 minutes as their team came from behind to beat Senegal 2-1 in extra time and reach the African Nations Cup semi-finals on Monday.
Nervous Senegalese players refused to return to the field after being engulfed by a mob of fans, who rushed on to the field after 18-year-old substitute Julius Aghahowa gave Nigeria a 2-1 lead in the second minute of extra time.
The golden goal rule is not used in the competition.
Police seemed slow to react and Senegal at one stage appeared to walk towards their dressing room before finally agreeing to return to the field.
Aghahowa had also scored Nigeria's equaliser six minutes from time after a superb goal by Senegal's Kalidou Fadiga early on had threatened a major upset.
Nigeria's Austin Okocha was sent off for clashing with a defender in extra time.
GRi