Tunisia advance, favoured Algeria bow out
TUNISIA trounced Zimbabwe 4-2 in Gabon on Monday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals as star-packed Algeria were eliminated after the first round.
Naim Sliti, Youssef Msakni, Taha Yassine Khenessi and Wahbi Khazri (pictured, AFP) scored in Libreville as the Tunisian Carthage became the first side at the 2017 finals to score four goals in a match.
Algeria drew 2-2 with a virtual Senegal “B” side i n Franceville at the same time with star striker Islam Slimani finally finding form to bag a brace.
This was the second 2-2 draw for the Algerian Desert Foxes after a similar result against Zimbabwe, and a 2-1 loss to neighbours Tunisia in between proved costly.
Al ger i a’s Belgian coach Georges Leekens quit yesterday after the side crashed out of the Cup of Nations.
“For the good of all I decided to quit even though I do it with heartache, and I wish all the success in the world to the national side,” he said in a statement on the Algerian Football Federation website
Many pundits had placed Algeria among the title favourites given the presence of stars like new African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez, Slimani and Yacine Brahimi.
Pre-tournament fears about the defence proved well founded, however, as they conceded two goals in each group game.
Senegal, breaking a prematch promise of coach Aliou Cisse that he would field a fullstrength side, equalised first through Papa Diop and Moussa Sow.
Assured of finishing first before the last mini-league matches, Senegal topped the Group B standings with seven points followed by Tunisia (six), Algeria (two) and Zimbabwe (one).
Senegal stay in southeastern Gabon to face Cameroonn on Saturday after Burkina Faso and Tunisia meet in the e first quarterfinal in Libreville. .
Ghana are also through gh to the last eight and the other three quarterfinalists wereere to be decided yesterday and today with six countries in contention.
All the Group C teams – Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, defending champions Ivor y Coast and Togo – had the chance to advance to the knockout phase yesterday. In Group D, either record seven-time champions Egypt or Mali will accompany Ghana to the quarterfinals today. Egypt face the Black Stars, while Mali take on already eliminated Uganda. Henryk Kasperczak coached Tunisia to the 1996 final during a previous spell in charge and was thrilled with the vi c t or y over Z i mb a - bwe.
“We regained possession well during the first half and created scoring chances,” said the Poland-born handler.
“It was a satisfactory performance and I congratulate my players. Now we face Burkina Faso, a quality team with good technique.”
Zimbabwe coach Callisto P Pasuwa said: “We lost the m match in the early stages due t to a lack of concentration.
“I think we have potential, b but must prepare better. A less son from this tournament is t that players have to remain f focused throughout a game.”
Tunisia scored four goals in a Cup of Nations match for the f fourth time as they ripped the Z Zimbabwe defence to shreds d during a first-half goal fest w which ended with the winners 4 4-1 ahead.