From fond farewells to amazing goals, round three had it all

THE LAST round of matches in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations came with casualties that went beyond the eight nations that were knocked out. Algeria and Zimbabwe’s coaches, Georges Leekens and Callisto Pasuwa, resigned after they failed to take their teams to the quarter-finals. Tournament favourites Algeria, the reigning champions Ivory Coast and the hosts Gabon also crashed out in the group stage. NJABULO NGIDI picks his highlights from the dramatic third round. Best Goal There were a number of contenders for the best goal from this round. There was Yves Bissouma’s bending free-kick, Farouk Miya’s powerful shot, Knowledge Musona showing his deft touch and Tunisia’s well-worked team goal that was finished by Youssef Msakni. But Rashid Alioui produced a spectacular strike that eliminated the defending champions Ivory Coast and took Morocco to their first appearance in the last eight since 1998. Alioui brilliantly curled the ball between Simon Deli and Jean Seri. Best Save Essam El-Hadary, the oldest player to feature in the Afcon at the age of 44, came up with two good saves that almost saw him almost take this prize. However, it was Cameroon’s Fabrice Ondoa, 23 years younger, who produced the save of the third round. Gabon pressed the Indomitable Lions in search of a late goal that would have taken them to the last eight. In the last minute of the referee’s optional time Denis Bouanga hit the post. His effort was deflected back to Didier Ibrahim N’Dong who was unmarked in the box. Ondoa denied him with a brilliant save that eliminated Gabon and took Cameroon to the knockout stage. Best Celebration Uganda waited 39 years for this appearance in the Afcon. But their stay in Gabon was shortlived after they were eliminated with a game to spare. The Cranes still gave their countrymen back home something to celebrate courtesy of Farouk Miya’s brilliant goal in the 1-1 draw with Mali. The Ugandans formed an impromptu dance circle after that goal to show off their dancing skills. Best Match Tunisia came into their clash with Zimbabwe knowing that a draw would take them to the last eight while the Warriors needed to win. A six-goal thriller was the result, with Tunisia winning 4-2. The Tunisians’ rampant attack showed what they are capable of, scoring four goals in the first half. The Warriors were let down by their poor defending as their attack – led by Khama Billiat, Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi with a cameo from Tendai Ndoro – troubled the Eagles of Carthage. Memorable Moment Emmanuel Adebayor almost had a fairy-tale ending to his last appearance in the Afcon, scoring with his final touch. But the Togolese captain had his strike cleared off the line. Adebayor, however, still managed to have an emotional sendoff. The 2008 African Footballer of the Year was clapped off the pitch in Port-Gentil while the Democratic Republic of Congo players formed a guard of honour as he bid farewell. Best Crowd After the hosts Gabon, Cameroon are the most visible team in the tournament with their colours all over the country. These neighbours – who use the same currency, the Central African Franc – have a strong rivalry that intensified with a place in the last eight up for grabs. Their fans packed the Stade de l’Amitie on Sunday night to create an electrifying atmosphere.