We’ve reached that nail biting stage of AFCON 2015, where your team has to scramble for points to get to the knockout phase. After last night’s matches, there are a few men packing their bags and checking out of their hotels, because their quest for African football glory has ended. Let’s go and look at all the details.
Last night we had the start of the double-headers, with 2 matches at the same time, so any sneakiness is avoided. We had bottom of Group B, Zambia up against Cape Verde and yet again, we had a draw, this time goalless. Not for lack of trying from either side it must be said. Cape Verde were lively and full of energy, particularly thanks to Heldon, their winger. The crosses into the box were raining down, but the Zambian defense stood firm. Nothing much more was made of the chances created and so the games lacked the zing that comes from great goals and even great saves. Stopilla Sunzu was one gritty tackler last night and the Zambians have him to thank for his hard work. Sadly, the match petered out, and the tropical downpour probably played the biggest part in all of that. Both teams could have made more of it, and it must be heartbreaking for the 2012 champions to make such an early exit, since it’s two tournaments in a row now for Zambia. Cape Verde were pipped at the post by DR Congo who sneak ahead on goal difference. You see, all those goalless drawn matches come back to bite you. Why not sit back and enjoy the highlights thanks to Supersport.com.
In the other Group B encounter, we had, wait for it, another draw. This time, the infamous 1-1 variety. The DRC’s goal did help them ahead of Cape Verde, so it counted for something. The draw between DR Congo and Tunisia sees them top the table; Tunisia are 1st with 5 points, and the DRC 2nd with 3. The North Africans scored first, thanks to Ahmed Akaichi, and that was evened out by Loteka Bokila’s late goal. The score really could have been a whole lot more impressive, but again, that torrential rain and a lot of silly fouls saw the initial energy of the game slow down to something less impressive from the group’s top teams. Have a look at some of the highlights here, thanks to Supersport.com.
Today, it’s the battle for Group C, where it looks like a Senegal-Ghana 1 and 2, but really anything can happen. Senegal are up against the continent’s top team, Algeria who could just as easily make the quarter final cut. They share second place with 3 points The team most likely to be the whipping boys of the group, South Africa, are up against an under-strength Ghana. Ghana however, are unlikely to lose, so it’s really a battle between the top 3 to fight for the 2 places available. But this is football’s African showcase that could do with a little more drama, so only time will tell. I’ll have all the details for you tomorrow morning, so join us for that. Its can only get more exciting from here. Let’s hope for lots of goals tonight!