ACTUALITE |
21.01.2002
One surprise in Nations Cup
In a low scoring day at the African Nations Cup, three group matches were played in front of capacity crowds.
In the first match on Sunday afternoon played in the Malian capital of Bamako, World Cup finalists Senegal beat Egypt 1-0 in Group D. Lamine Diatta scored the only goal eight minutes from the end.
Senegal dominated throughout most of the game and should have scored more than once but Egypt keeper Essaam El Hadary stopped several quality chances.
However, it was an uncharacteristic El Hadary mistake that gave victory to Senegal, when he opted to clear a corner directly in front of his goal, allowing Diatta to head the ball over him.
Egypt almost got the equalizer two minutes later, when Ahmed Hossam blasted the ball over the crossbar.
The defeat places a great deal of pressure on Egypt to advance from the so-called group of death, with Tunisia and Zambia favorites to advance.
In Group C, defending champions Cameroon got off to a good start with a dominant 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African Footballer of the Year Patrick Mboma netted the winner five minutes from the break with a powerful shot from 25 yards out. Cameroon dominated the second half, but failed to score.
Group B brought the first upset of the competition, as underdogs Burkina Faso held South Africa to a goalless draw.
The South Africans played three strikers upfront and could have been ahead as early as the fourth minute when German-based Delron Buckley came close with a free-kick.
Bafana Bafana was weakened early in the game when captain Shaun Bartlett had to leave the field in the 18th minute after picking up an injury. He was replaced by Bradley August.
Burkina Faso responded by playing attacking football, with several quality chances.
At the end of the game, the South African players complained to Senegalese referee Ndoya Falla, while the Burkinabe players celebrated their unexpected draw.
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