Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations
Sulley Muntari's last-gasp wonder goal gave hosts Ghana a 2-1 win in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game against Group A opponents Guinea. Muntari rifled a 25-yard shot into the top corner after the Black Stars hit the post three times in the first half. Asamoah Gyan put Ghana into the lead after 54 minutes with a penalty following a foul from Oumar Kalabane. Kalabane made amends with a headed equaliser for Guinea, before Muntari saved Ghana with his late winner. The weight of delivering the hopes of a nation seemed to burden Ghana, who started the match in scrappy fashion. Asamoah Gyan had the best early chance, having been played in by Muntari on six minutes before shooting wide from 15 yards. Gyan then found himself with another opportunity within 20 seconds thanks to a poor goal-kick from Guinea goalkeeper Kemoko Camara. The Black Stars started to settle but as the Accra crowd warmed to their sides' chances, Guinea showed they too could be dangerous with Oumar Kalabane heading over from a corner. New-boy Quincey Owusu-Abeyie was a growing threat for Ghana, providing tricks and crosses from the left wing, as the powerful Ghanaian midfield of Michael Essien and Muntari started to pull the strings. And it was from Owusu-Abeyie's cross that Junior Agogo smashed a header against the post on 20 minutes to crank up the pressure on the Sylli Nationale. Despite their lack of possession Guinea still broke with purpose to worry a pensive looking Ghana defence. But it was Essien who had the whole stadium on their feet again, when he hit the post again from a Laryea Kingston left-wing corner. As the game approached half-time the 33 degree heat, not to mention the long grass, slowed the passing. But Muntari then fired a half-volley thunderbolt against the upright, Ghana's third close miss of the half, after connecting with a cross from Kingston. French coach Claude LeRoy must have said a few choice words at half-time because his Ghana side restarted with increased purpose, throwing balls forward looking the head of Gyan. Another long-ball to the head of Gyan played in Junior Agogo who was scythed down by Kalabane as he sprinted into the box to earn the Black Stars a penalty. Udinese's Gyan shrugged off any nerves to slam the ball into the roof of the net, sending the home crowd into riotous celebration. Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret changed to a more attacking formation and his side rallied by creating a number of openings, to the worry of a Ghanaian defence led by an on-form Eric Addo. The pressure paid off when Oumar Kallabane rose above two Black Star defenders to thump home a header in off the crossbar from a Pascal Feindouno corner. The initiative was now with Guinea, as Ghana once again looked under pressure and in need of their big names players, especially Essien, to wrest back control. The Black Stars were being limited to long-range efforts before Andre 'Dede' Ayew, the son of Ghana legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, replaced Owusu-Abeyie. Ayew nearly scored with his first touch, crashing a point-blank shot at keeper Camara who saved well. Muntari then went close with a long-range drive - in what was becoming an open, end-to-end game. Then with the game petering out Muntari unleashed his left-foot bullet from midway in the Guinea half to resurrect the party planned by the home fans in Accra. Ghana: Kingson, Sarpei, Pantsil, Mensah, Addo, Essien, Kingston, Muntari, Gyan (Baffour 84), Agogo, Quincy (Ayew 75). Subs Not Used: Adjei, Afful, Alhassan, Annan, Asamoah, Asare, Barusso, Dauda, Draman, Kumordzi. Booked: Addo, Muntari, Kingston. Goals: Gyan 54 pen, Muntari 89. Guinea: Kemoko Camara, Bobo Balde, Alseni Camara, Kalabane, Jabi, Feindouno, Sacko, Sylla (Bah 90), Bangoura, Correa (Soumah 60), Youla (Karamoko Cisse 60). Subs Not Used: Habib Jean Balde, Ibrahima Sory Camara, Mohammed Cisse, Diallo, Diarso, Johnson, Mansare, Yattara, Zayatte. Booked: Feindouno. Goals: Kalabane 64. Att: 35,000.

Namibia 1-5 Morocco
Morocco thrashed a poor Namibian side in Accra, Ghana thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Soufiane Alloudi. Alloudi scored within two minutes after Maroune Chamakh hit the post, his second came three minutes later, before Brian Brendell hit back for Namibia. A cross from Tarik Sektioui set up Alloudi's headed third, Sektioui then scored himself from the penalty spot. Nancy's Moncef Zerka came off the bench to convert the Atlas Lions' fifth, heading in a corner at the back post. In an almost empty Ohene Djan stadium, in Accra, Morocco were quick to make there mark and took the lead after only two minutes, thanks to a close-range effort from Soufiane Alloudi. Maroune Chamakh latched onto a long ball and burst into the Namibian area before striking against the post. The ball fell back at Chamakh's feet allowing him to play in Alloudi for a simple finish. The second for Alloudi came after five minutes when the Al Ain player played a one-two on the edge of the area before flicking over the advancing Michael Pienaar and slotting home past goalkeeper Abisia Shiningayamwe. The Atlas Lions were in total control with Youssef Safri a dominating figure in the centre of the north African's midfield. Namibia's warriors may be brave in name, but they desperately needed someone to retain possession. Youssef Hadji was next to go close, again troubling the Namibian defence by winning a ball in the air before hitting his shot at the keeper. The Brave Warriors, however, were not too disheartened and they struck back against the run of play after 23 minutes. Hamburg's Collin Benjamin sliced open the Moroccan defence with a through ball to Brian Brendell who struck home with panache from 20 yards to get his side back in the game. The goal was Namibia's first ever against Morocco, but their defence still looked desperately shaky, especially from balls delivered in the air. On 28 minutes the weakness was revealed again, when Tarik Sektioui broke down the left wing and delivered a pin point cross to the back post for the unmarked Alloudi to head home and claim his hat-trick. Shots continued to rain-in on Namibia's Shiningayamwe. First a 25-yard free kick from Safri, then a rasping shot from Sektioui on the left wing. Namibia were struggling to cope with Morocco's pace and technique and their plight worsened when Michael Chretien was brought down in the area by Jamunavandu Ngatjizeko. A penalty was awarded and Sektioui calmly struck home from the spot to give the Atlas Lions a three-goal advantage at half-time. The onslaught continued in the second half as Morocco held a monopoly on possession and goal-scoring opportunities. Namibia became increasingly frustrated, as they weighed in with some poorly-timed tackles and were punished with a flurry of yellow cards. Morocco's French coach Henri Michel saw an opportunity to make some changes - the injured Alloudi, who had been target of some rough tackles, was taken off while Sektioui was replaced with Hicham Aboucherouane of Esperance. Youssef Hadji's last action on the pitch was to shoot wide from fifteen yards before he was substituted on 70 minutes for Nancy's Moncef Zerka. And the new personnel conjured another goal to complete the rout - Zerka rising at the back post to head home a corner and score his first goal for the Atlas Lions. Morocco took all three points and a healthy goal difference to aid their bid to progress to the quarter-finals.

Nigeria 0-1 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast secured a major victory against fellow favourites Nigeria to take a firm grip in Group B. Chelsea's Saloman Kalou scored the only goal of the game when he left three Nigerian defenders standing to shoot home from 15 yards after 66 minutes. Despite the abundance of talent in the Super Eagles' squad, Berti Vogts' team laboured but were unable to respond. Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins came closest to scoring for Nigeria in the first half, shooting at the goalkeeper. The first match in Sekondi hosted one of the most anticipated games of the tournament, with two heavyweights of African football, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, meeting on the second day of the tournament. Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu smashed a long-range shot high and wide in the first few minutes to open hostilities. Ivory Coast then hit back with a thirty-yard effort from Arsenal's Kolo Toure before Obafemi Martins, of Newcastle United, forced a save from Elephant's goalkeeper Boubacar Barry on 11 minutes. The noisy Nigerian crowd, driven-on by an army of trumpeters, were then lifted to their feet when Taye Taiwo crashed a thirty-yard free kick against the Ivorians' crossbar. The trading of blows continued as Chelsea's Didier Drogba tested Nigeria's goalkeeper Austine Ejide at the other end with a direct free-kick from a similar distance. Ominously for Nigeria's Super Eagles, it was Ivory Coast who were looking the more settled after 20 minutes, showing greater composure in the final third and maintaining more possession. Martins looked the most dangerous player for Nigeria, though his efforts were reduced to speculative shots from distance. Drogba was trying to shake off his injury-derived rustiness as the Ivorians attempted to fashion an opening, in what was becoming an intriguing tactical duel. Taiwo gave the Super Eagles some hope, when he crossed from the byeline but failed to find Everton's Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who was well positioned in the centre of the area. Yakubu then blazed a fierce shot over the bar from the edge of the area after finding a yard of space from his marker Steve Gohouri. The game remained goalless after 45 minutes with tight defending from the likes of Nigeria's Joseph Yobo and Ivory Coast's Kolo Toure influencing matters. Elephant's coach Gerard Gili replaced Gohouri with Kader Keita for the second half, after the Borussia Monchengladbach man had been given a torrid time by Obafemi Martins. And fresh from the break it was the Super Eagles who created some good moves, with Kanu dropping short to thread the play. A robust challenge ended such creativity, with Onyekachi Okonkwo needed to replace an injured Kanu, who was stretchered off the pitch. The sparring continued until a flash of individual brilliance from Kalou broke the deadlock. Picking up the ball on the left wing, Kalou swerved right, then left, to beat three players before sending Ejide in the wrong direction, placing the ball into the back of the net. The Nigerians were reeling on the ropes, as Kador went close, blasting wide from 15 yards, and Kalou failed to connect properly with a well-placed ball inside the area. Vogts substituted Portsmouth's John Utaka for Osaze Odemwingie of Lokomotiv Moscow on 73 minutes to try and add some fresh legs to his weary-looking side. And the Nigerian boss tried a final roll of the dice, replacing Martins with Lazio's Ayodele Makinwa, but his team remained flat and unable to respond.

Mali 1-0 Benin
An unconvincing Mali secured three points with a win against Benin to go joint top of Group B with Ivory Coast. Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored a penalty on 49 minutes after Dramane Traore had been fouled by Alain Gaspoz. Benin's best chances came from Seidath Tchomogo who headed over after 15 minutes from a right-wing cross. Mamady Sidibe fluffed his chance of doubling Mali's lead on 75 minutes while Mahamadou Diarra forced a save from Rachad Chitou with a long shot. The second match of the day to be played at the Sekondi stadium started fifteen minutes late after a power failure turned off the floodlights and plunged the arena into darkness. Despite the delay, the spirits of the fans remained undimmed and it was Mali who started the brighter, testing Benin's goalkeeper Chitou with a number of shots from outside the area. Seydou Keita had the first real chance of the game for Mali after twelve minutes when the Sevilla midfielder flashed a shot wide from 20 yards. Benin responded quickly when Tchomogo headed narrowly over at the other end. But the 2002 and 2004 semi-finalists troubled the Squirrels' defence once again when a lofted free-kick forced a scrambled clearance on 22 minutes. Benin showed glimpses of their potential aerial threat when a headed corner from Anichet Adjamossi forced a save from Mali's Mahamadou Sidibe, and Tchomogo found space but headed wide three minutes later. With half an hour played the match was still waiting for a moment of inspiration to light up the game, but with both defences playing well, the likes of Sevilla-star Kanoute were being kept quiet. Indeed the crowd were happy to be entertained by Oumar Tchomogo who nutmegged Mali's Souleymane Diamoutene and it was Benin who went into the break the happier of the two teams. The game demanded a swift response from Mali and within two minutes of the restart they were in front. Traore earned his side a penalty after he was fouled in the area by Gaspoz following-up on a spilled shot from Diarra. Kanoute stepped up and nonchalantly chipped the ball into the middle of the goal, having sent Chitou diving in the wrong direction. The Squirrels tried to respond with Razak Omotoyossi and Tchomogo remaining energetic threats. But Mali too made changes in a bid to maintain their slender lead, replacing Traore with Stoke City's sizeable physical presence, Mamady Sidibe. With 25 minutes left to play the tactics of the two sides had reversed; with Benin looking to commit men forward while Mali were sitting back, soaking up pressure and looking to hit on the break. Despite Benin's attacking orders, chances were few and far between, so Squirrels' coach Reinhard Fabisch took the controversial decision of replacing captain Tchomogo with Creteil's Abou Meiga to add zest to his attack. However, it was Mali's Sidibe who had the next chance on goal, rounding two defenders in the area before fluffing his shot and it looked like a second goal might come as Real Madrid's Diarra and Spain-based Keita had two good chances from distance in as many minutes. Benin's final attacking flurry had Sidibe making a good save from a long-range strike, but after Mali had taken the lead the result never looked in doubt. Mali: Mahamadou Sidibe, Kante, Dembele, Adama Coulibaly, Diamoutene, Amadou Sidibe, Kanoute, Diarra, Keita, Dramane Traore (Mamady Sidibe 55), Toure (Drissa Diakite 72), Mamady Sidibe (Sammy Traore 89). Subs Not Used: Soumalia Diakite, Oumar Sissoko, Kone, Tamboura, Djibril Sidibe, Diallo, Mohamed Sissoko, Dissa, Moussa Coulibaly. Booked: Diarra, Toure, Adama Coulibaly. Goals: Kanoute 49 pen. Benin: Chitou, Gaspoz, Adenon, Chrysostome, Oketola (Sessegnon 53), Boco, Adjamossi, Seidath Tchomogo, Ahoueya (Oladipikpo 82), Omotoyossi, Oumar Tchomogo (Maiga 70). Subs Not Used: Amoussou, Djidonou, Koukou, Traore, Ogunbiyi, Rouga, Seka, Soglo, Ouzerou. Booked: Adenon, Gaspoz. Att: 20,000 Ref: Damon Jerome (South Africa).

Egypt 4-2 Cameroon
Two goals each from Mohamed Zidan and Hosni Abd Rabou gave Egypt a fine start in their defence of the Nations Cup. Cameroon were outplayed in the first half, Abd Rabou scoring from the spot and Zidan netting two superb goals. His first came from a speedy breakaway, then he chested down and shot from outside the penalty box for his second. Samuel Eto'o scored after the break, but Abd Rabou's long shot ended hopes of a comeback before the Cameroon striker struck home a late penalty. Despite their status as holders, Egypt's qualifying campaign had been uninspiring, and Cameroon were expected to have the upper hand over the Pharaohs. But Egypt began with spark and confidence, pressurising the Cameroon defence from the start of the game. Mohamed Shawky tested Indomitable Lions' goalkeeper Carlos Kameni with a long-range shot in the third minute. The opening goal came after 14 minutes when Andre Bikey handled in the box and Abd Rabou converted the penalty. Zidan made it 2-0 three minutes later, breaking from inside his own half, exchanging passes with Emad Moteab and racing through the Cameroon defence before slotting home. Four-time champions Cameroon were shocked, and there was more to come. In first-half stoppage time, Zidan struck again, chesting the ball down outside the box and striking home powerfully. Coach Otto Pfister decided to go for all-out attack and Eto'o gave a team talk before his side came back after the break, and Cameroon were a transformed side. They began playing with purpose and pulled one back on 51 minutes as Eto'o headed in a Geremi cross. He nearly added another 12 minutes later, shooting just wide. What had been an exciting contest then slowed down, as Egypt began to dampen Cameroon's momentum. Abd Rabou's magnificent 25-yard shot sealed the victory with eight minutes remaining. Cameroon did score again though, with an Eto'o penalty in stoppage time. It was Eto's 13th Nations Cup goal, leaving him just one behind the record held by Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast. Egypt: El Hadari, Fathallah, Moawad (Mohamed 90), Gomaa, Hany Said, Fathi, Abd Rabou, Shawky, Zidan (El Mohamady 68), Moteab, Zaki (Aboutriaka 60). Subs Not Used: Abdel Monssef, El Saeed, Fadl, Gamal, Hassan, Mostafa, Ibrahim Said, Shaaban, Sobhy. Booked: Hany Said, Moawad, Fathallah. Goals: Abd Rabou 14 pen, Zidan 16, 45, Abd Rabou 82. Cameroon: Kameni, Song, Bikey, Atouba, Geremi, Makoun (Binya 38), N'Guemo (Emana 46), Epalle, Mbia (Song Billong 46), Idrissou, Eto'o. Subs Not Used: Hamidou, Angbwa, Essola, Job, M'Bami, Mbarga, Nkong, Tchato, Tomou. Booked: Binya. Goals: Eto'o 51, 90 pen. Ref: Modou Sowe (Gambia).

Sudan 0-3 Zambia
Goals early in each half proved decisive for Zambia as they moved to the top of Group C with a comfortable win over Sudan in Kumasi. A well-struck shot by James Chamanga put Zambia ahead after three minutes, and although Sudan were the better team for the rest of the first half, they failed to take their chances. Jacob Mulenga headed in Zambia's second goal six minutes after the break. Felix Katongo wrapped up the victory from close range just before the hour. Sudan had waited 32 years to play at the Nations Cup, but their return began with a setback, as Zambia scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far. Chamanga played a one-two with Jacob Mulenga outside the box, before powering the ball into the far corner. The early disapppointment failed to dampen Sudan's spirits, and they almost equalised after 12 minutes. A fierce half-volley by Badreldin El Doud from the edge of the penalty area hit the inside of the post with Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene well beaten. The Nile Crocodiles had the upper hand for the rest of the first half. Their defence was solid, captain Haitham Mustapha dominated the midfield, and giant 37-year-old striker Faisal Agab troubled the Chipolopolo back line. But Sudan's finishing was poor, and many chances went to waste. On the half-hour Sudan Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril blazed the ball over the bar with Mweene off his line and the goal gaping. Sudan paid for those missed opportunities when Zambia went 2-0 up six minutes after the interval. A powerful header by Clive Hachilensa hit the crossbar, and Mulenga nodded the rebound down into the goal. The game slipped beyond Sudan's reach on 59 minutes when Mahjoub El Moez failed to hold on to Rainford Kalaba's shot and Felix Katongo pushed home from close range. Mulenga nearly scored his second with six minutes remaining, but was denied by an acrobatic save by El Moez. Although the match was between two of the tournament's smaller teams, a sizeable crowd watched the game at the Baba Yara Stadium in the Northern city of Kumasi. In contrast, Monday's Group A match between Morocco and Namibia, in Accra, where Ghana are based, was played in a near-empty stadium. Sudan: Elmuiz Abdalla, Bakhit, Ali Elkhidir, Eldin Ahmed Gibril, Lado, Karar, El Bashir (Ali Idris Farah 80), Bader Eldin Abdalla, Ahmed (Yousif Hado 24), Kamal Tambal, Agab Sido (Babiker 57). Subs Not Used: El Basha Adam, El Hadi Salem, El Tayeb, Hameed Amari, Hassan Ali, Hassan, Kuku, Mohamed Abdalla, Tahir Osman. Booked: Bakhit, Bader Eldin Abdalla. Zambia: Mweene, Nketani, Musonda, Mwanza, Hachilensa, Bakala, Kalaba, Felix Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Phiri (Mayuka 70), Chamanga (Clifford Mulenga 83). Subs Not Used: Chinyama, Himonde, Kakonje, Kampamba, Kasonde, Njovu, Poto, Sunzu. Booked: Mwanza, Felix Katongo. Goals: Chamanga 2, Jacob Mulenga 51, Felix Katongo 60. Ref: Badara Diatta (Senegal).

Tunisia 2-2 Senegal
A piledriver from Mejdi Traoui with seven minutes remaining gave Tunisia a point they barely deserved. Tunisia took an early lead with one of their few first-half chances as Issam Jooma scored from an acute angle. But Moustapha Sall punished an error by Rahdi Jaidi to equalise on the stroke of half-time and Diomansy Kamara's close-range effort put Senegal ahead. Then, with Tunisia apparently going nowhere, Traoui cracked the ball into the top-left corner from 25 yards out. Senegal played by far the more positive football, though they did not do enough to rank themselves as leading contenders to win the tournament. The Teranga Lions made a lively start, pinning Tunisia in their own half in the opening minutes, with Mamadou Niang shooting wide after a good run. But Tunisia went ahead in the ninth minute thanks to Jomaa's precision strike. The France-based striker, who plays for Caen, made a run down the left flank, played a one-two with Wissem Bekri, and smashed the ball in from a tight angle. The heat appeared to take its toll as the game failed to pick up pace, and the Tunisia defence laid a tight offside trap. Senegal were restricted to long-range efforts, and another Niang shot went wide on 23 minutes after the Marseille striker ran at the Tunisia defence. But the organised play of the Carthage Eagles' back four came to naught with a defensive error in first-half stoppage time. Jaidi failed to clear his lines, miscueing into the path of Sall, who raced goalwards and fired in from 15 yards. Immediately after the break Senegal captain El-Hadji Diouf burst into the penalty area but missed the target. Soon after Diouf laid on a lovely pass to Kamara, but his effort was also wide. On the hour mark the Teranga Lions passed up another opportunity, as Niang misfired from close range. But their attacking play got the reward it deserved with Kamara stabbing the ball home from six yards in a goalmouth melee. Tunisia appeared to be heading for defeat, until Traoui's moment of brilliance in the 83rd minute. But there was no doubt that Senegal had been the better team overall. Tunisia: Kasraoui, Haggui, El Bekri, Jaidi, Felhi, Mnari, Zouaghi (Ben Dhifallah 80), Traoui, Santos (Zaiem 63), Jemaa (Mikari 86), Chikhaoui. Subs Not Used: Mathlouthi, Nefzi, Ghezal, Abdi, Ben Saada, Nafti, Ben Fredj, Meriah, Chermiti. Booked: Santos, Traoui, Zaiem. Goals: Jemaa 9, Traoui 82. Senegal: Sylva, Diawara, Abdoulaye Faye, Beye, Guirane, N'Doye (Diop 63), Sall, Mendy (Camara 61), Kamara, Niang (Gueye 88), Diouf. Subs Not Used: Ndiaye, Coundoul, Sonko, Sarr, Ibrahima Faye, Diatta, Papa Waigo, Sougou, Ba. Booked: Mendy, Kamara. Goals: Sall 45, Kamara 66. Ref: Yuichi Nichimura (Japan).

South Africa 1-1 Angola
Manucho scored on his Africa Cup of Nations debut for Angola before Elrio van Heerden's superb late strike salvaged a point for South Africa. Manchester United bound-Manucho netted with a magnificent diving header in the first half after an incisive move. With time running out Angola keeper Lama's wild punch resulted in the ball crossing the line, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. And Van Heerden's deadly strike ensured Angola had no second reprieve. The draw was a fair result, and leaves all four teams in Group D with a point each. The game produced plenty of entertainment, and the first half was very open. South Africa's Teko Modise had the first chance, the midfielder cracking a shot from 30 yards that was punched away by Lama. Four minutes later, at the other end, Flavio tried the same but his effort sailed over the bar. Flavio had another chance midway through the half, slipping through the South Africa defence, but shooting into the hands of Moneeb Josephs. But, using an attractive passing game, Bafana Bafana were having the better of the exchanges, and Angola's goal on 30 minutes came against the run of play. Due to move to Manchester United, subject to a work permit, Manucho had been billed as one of the potential stars of the tournament. And he could hardly have justified the hype more spectacularly, propelling in a Flavio cross with a diving header that was simply exceptional, following a flowing move. The second period took a while to get going, with South Africa showing the greater urgency. Angola nearly grabbed a second goal on 62 minutes, but substitute Ze Kalanga's long-range shot veered just wide. On 71 minutes Flavio forced Josephs to make a save with his feet, but South Africa were to dominate the closing minutes. Van Heerden's goal came from 20 yards out, another fine goal in a tournament that has provided plenty of exciting football thus far. There was a lively atmosphere at the Tamale Sports Stadium, with vocal contingents of Angolans and South Africans. South Africa: Josephs, Masilela, Morris, Moon, Mokoena, Tshabalala (Chabangu 46), Pienaar (Van Heerden 71), Modise, Mhlongo, Moriri (Fanteni 46), Zuma. Subs Not Used: Fernandez, Khune, Evans, Fransman, Nhlapo, Dikgacoi, Davids, Mphela, Walaza. Booked: Mokoena, Moon. Goals: Van Heerden 87. Angola: Lama, Airosa (Loco 89), Yamba Asha, Kali, Marques, Figueiredo (Ze Kalanga 64), Macanga, Gilberto, Mendonca (Edson 73), Flavio, Manucho. Subs Not Used: Mario, Nuno, Delgado, Jamba, Machado, Dede, Mateus, Love, Maurito. Booked: Airosa. Goals: Manucho 29. Ref: Koman Colubaly (Mali).

Guinea 3-2 Morocco
Guinea captain Pascal Feindouno scored twice, only to be sent off as the Syli Nationale held on to beat Morocco. Feindouno's curling free-kick gave Guinea a first-half lead, and on 59 minutes he set up Ismael Bangoura who scored with aleft-footed shot. Seconds later Hicham Aboucherouane's superb strike pulled a goal back for Morocco, before Feindouno's penalty strike took a pulsating game to 3-1. He was then red-carded, with Abdeslem Ouaddou heading in Morocco's second. Feindouno's sending-off could cost him at least a two-match suspension. The result of this highly-charged encounter gives Guinea a strong chance of reaching the quarter-finals and leaves Morocco with plenty to do. Guinea made three changes to the side that lost their opener to hosts Ghana and winger Fode Mansare made a real impact, his lively runs troubling the Morocco defence from the start. The tournament continued to deliver superb goals, and Feindouno won the free-kick that gave Guinea the early lead. His placement was superb from a tight angle down the left, curling the ball over the wall and to the near post, with Morocco goalkeeper Khalid Fouhami rooted to the spot. But midway through the first half, Morocco striker Youssef Hadji had Kemoko Camara diving to his right to stop his shot from 20 yards. Mansare came close 10 minutes before the break, with his free-kick tipped over the bar, though referee Jerome Damon awarded a goal kick. Three minutes after the interval Hadji's first-time effort from outside the box was pushed over the bar. Guinea's second came when Feindouno laid the ball through to Bangoura, who darted into the box and finished well. Morocco pulled one back almost immediately, with substitute Aboucherouane's screamer flying into the far corner. The frenetic pace continued, and Souleymane Youla was pulled down just inside the penalty area. Feindouno slotted the spot-kick home, but three minutes later he was red-carded for kicking El-Armine Erbate in an off-the-ball incident. It was the first red card of the 2008 tournament. The remaining minutes saw Morocco doing all the attacking, and Ouaddou's header in the last minute set up a tense climax. The game began in front of a small crowd, but numbers grew during the game, as fans took their seats for the second game of the double-header, between Ghana and Namibia. The much-maligned playing surface at the Ohene Djan Stadium played better than it had done for Sunday's opening game. Guinea: Kemoko Camara, Ibrahima Sory Camara (Zayatte 81), Jabi, Bobo Balde, Kalabane, Mohammed Cisse, Mansare (Sacko 78), Sylla, Bangoura, Youla (Karamoko Cisse 77), Feindouno. Subs Not Used: Diarso, Yattara, Habib Jean Balde, Alseni Camara, Diallo, Johnson, Correa, Bah, Soumah. Sent Off: Feindouno (67). Booked: Mohammed Cisse, Youla, Jabi, Sylla. Goals: Feindouno 11, Bangoura 59, Feindouno 63 pen. Morocco: Fouhami, Chretien, Ouaddou, Erbate, El Kaddouri, Kissi, Kharja (Aboucherouane 55), Safri, Hadji, Sektioui (Chamakh 62), Zerka (El-Moubarki 80). Subs Not Used: Lamyaghri, Bagui, Mahdoufi, Alioui, Chahiri, El Karkouri, Kabous, Mokhtari, Alloudi. Goals: Aboucherouane 60, Ouaddou 90. Ref: Damon Jerome (South Africa).

Ghana 1-0 Namibia
Ghana proved too strong for Namibia as the tournament hosts moved three points clear at the top of Group A. After Asamoah Gyan shot over the bar with the goal gaping, Junior Agogo bundled in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross from close range on 41 minutes. But Namibia were not disgraced and had Brian Brendell showed a bit more calm on at least three occasions they might have snatched a surprise equaliser. Collin Benjamin also missed chances for Namibia as Ghana closed out the game. Ghana's two wins should take them through to the quarter-finals, though they need a draw against Morocco to be absolutely certain. Henri Michel's Morocco, who were beaten by Guinea earlier on Thursday, will probably need to win to have any chance of qualifying in that final group game on Monday. Sore from their 5-1 loss to Morocco, Namibia replaced goalkeeper Abisai Shiningayamwe with Athiel Mbaha. The Brave Warriors were far more organised defensively this time, and they managed to soak up plenty of Ghana pressure early on. On 19 minutes Namibia broke away and had an opportunity to take a surprise lead, but Brendell shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Ghana wasted their chances too, notably when Gyan failed to shoot into an open goal on 34 minutes, with the goalkeeper committed. Agogo's goal came from the vision of Michael Essien, who was named man-of-the-match. The midfielder laid on a pass inside the penalty area to Owusu-Abeyie, who found Agogo inside the six-yard box. The finish was not elegant, but it was enough to delight fans in the packed stadium in Accra. The first 20 minutes of the second half were tame, though Ghana remained in control. But two more chances fell to Brendell mid-way through the second half, shooting wide after Namibia break, then firing over the bar a minute later. Benjamin shot wide in the 75th minute from a Namibia corner kick, and he also missed a chance five minutes from time. Ghana continued in search of a second goal, but faltered in the final third of the pitch. Ghana winger Laryea Kingston picked up his second yellow card of the tournament, for taking a free-kick too early, and misses the match against Morocco.

Ivory Coast 4-1 Benin
Ivory Coast easily beat Benin to assume a firm stranglehold over Group B. Captain Didier Drogba opened the scoring on 40 minutes when he was put through by Yaya Toure. Yaya Toure then converted a cross from brother Kolo Toure four minutes later before Kader Keita pounced on a defensive error on 52 minutes. Aruna Dindane converted the fourth just after the hour while Razak Omatoyossi's injury-time header was Benin's second ever Cup of Nations goal. Lyon striker Kader Keita was handed a starting place ahead of defender Steve Gohouri for the Ivory Coast, as coach Gerard Gili set out the Elephants' stall to attack. As has become customary with many of the double-headed matches at the Nations Cup, the Sekondi Sports Stadium was half empty for the kick-off of the first match of the day. However, the crowd in attendance were as noisy and exuberant as ever, and were soon cheering when Chelsea striker and Elephants' talisman Didier Drogba thrashed a shot from 15 yards high and wide of the Benin goal. The Squirrels showed early promise too, with Helsingborg striker and Uefa Cup top scorer, Razak Omotoyossi hitting the side-netting from ten yards. However, the formidable Ivory Coast attack started to make its presence felt, when Drogba crossed to an unmarked Aruna Dindane at the back post, only for the Lens striker to head against the post with the goal at his mercy. On thirty minutes, a cracking long-range effort from Stephane Sessegnon tested Boubacar Barry at the other end while Kalou picked up a yellow card shortly after to rule him out of his side's next game against Mali. But the Elephants charged again when Barcelona's Yaya Toure played in Drogba, who cantered through the middle of the Benin defence before shooting home through Chitou's legs to give the Ivorians the lead five minutes before half time. The favourites could smell blood and four minutes later they had doubled their lead. Kolo Toure picked up a corner from deep, dribbled past two defenders before laying the ball across an open goal for his younger brother to apply a simple finish. Benin refused to go down without a fight though, and came close to scoring thanks to an on-target shot from Oumar Tchomogo. The strike was saved, but Kolo Toure injured his groin stretching for the ball and had to be replaced with Steve Gohouri before the teams went in for the break. The Benin defence cracked again on 52 minutes when Damien Chrysostome lost possession on the edge of his own area allowing Keita to apply a simple finish to give his side a 3-0 lead. Dindane, despite fluffing a chance from three yards out minutes earlier, gave the Ivorians their fourth when he headed into the far corner of Chitou's goal from Drogba's flicked cross. Ivory Coast played out the game in cruise-control and could afford to substitute Drogba for Werder Bremen's Boubacar Sanogo with 23 minutes left to go. Tchomogo had a good chance for Benin with nine minutes remaining, when he smashed a shot against the erratic Barry from 15 yards after latching onto a poor clearance. The Squirrels' perseverance finally paid off when Razak Omatoyossi headed a bullet header past Boubacar Barry in injury time to claim Benin's second ever goal in the Africa Cup of Nations and their consolation for the day.

Nigeria 0-0 Mali
Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations' fate is in the hands of their Group B rivals after the Super Eagles could only draw with Mali in Sekondi. Berti Vogts' team will have to beat eliminated Benin in their final match on Tuesday, and hope that Mali slip-up. Fredi Kanoute fluffed Mali's best chance in injury time, shooting over in the box after Seydou Keita hit the bar. Nigeria were restricted to half-chances with John Mikel Obi coming closest with a fizzing shot. Yakubu Aiyegbeni had a goal ruled out for offside after 75 minutes, in a match that was full of tension. The pressure was on the Super Eagles from the start as they faced an embarrassing Nations Cup exit if they were defeated by Mali, after Group B rivals Ivory Coast convincingly thrashed Benin earlier in the day. German coach Berti Vogts made three changes to the best ranked side in Africa, bringing in Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow), Obinna Nwaneri (Sion) and Obinna Nsofor (Chievo) for injured captain Nwankwo Kanu, Portsmouth's John Utaka and Onyekachi Apam from Nice. But it was the Eagles of Mali who started the better of the two sides with full back Amadou Sidibe and Adama Tamboura providing dangerous service from the left wing to a lurking Kanoute. Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins tested the reactions of Mahamadou Sidibe with a low shot from outside the area, but otherwise the Nigerians still seemed to lack the impetuous that had taken them to the semi-final stage of the last three tournaments. With nearly half an hour gone the Super Eagles had only mustered half-chances and long shots, as the game became a battle of wills between the midfields marshalled by Mikel Obi and Mohamed Sissoko. Driven on by the ever-present trumpet-playing supporters, the two sides were locked in a tactical stalemate, which though fascinating for the aficionado, failed to provide a spark. Vogts replaced Martins with John Utaka to try and engineer a breakthrough on the restart, but it was Mali's Seydou Keita who forced a diving save from Austin Ejide first, before Kanoute went close again from 25 yards. The Nigerian contingent was becoming increasingly anxious, especially as Mali had better possession in the final third. Nigeria's mis-firing attack continued when Everton's Yakubu had a half-chance snuffed out on 55 minutes and Obinna Nsofor mis-hit from ten yards out. It prompted Vogts to swap Odemwingie with Getafe's Ikechukwu Uche. The game needed a flash of inspiration from one of the stars on the pitch, but to the dismay of an increasingly irritable crowd, the likes of Mahamdou Diarra and Mikel were all too quiet. Uche snatched at a shot on the edge of the five-yard area with 20 minutes to go, exemplifying the fact that, as in the first half, the strikers from both sides were feeding off scraps. There finally seemed light at the end of the tunnel for Nigerian fans, when Yakubu fired home a mis-hit cross from the right, only for the chance to be judged offside. Keita then had Nigerian fans with their hearts in their mouths when he rattled the Super Eagles' cross bar with a twenty-five yard pile driver. The game was finally coming to life with Mikel unleashing a shot that whistled past the post. In the dying minutes Mali captain Diarra was given a yellow card which means he will miss the Eagles' crucial final Group B game against Ivory Coast. The best chance of the game fell to Kanoute in the dying seconds of injury time when the Sevilla front man sent his shot skywards from ten yards out, despite being unmarked. Nigeria: Ejide, Yobo, Taiwo, Nwaneri, Shittu, Obi, Olofinjana, Odemwingie (Uche 58), Obinna (Makinwa 84), Yakubu, Martins (Utaka 46). Subs Not Used: Aiyenugbu, Enyeama, Afolabi, Apam, Emeghara, Eromoigbe, Etuhu, Okonkwo, Kanu. Booked: Olofinjana. Mali: Mahamadou Sidibe, Tamboura, Adama Coulibaly, Diamoutene, Amadou Sidibe (Dembele 86), Kante, Diarra, Keita, Mohamed Sissoko (Drissa Diakite 82), Kanoute, Dramane Traore (Diallo 74). Subs Not Used: Soumalia Diakite, Oumar Sissoko, Moussa Coulibaly, Kone, Sammy Traore, Djibril Sidibe, Dissa, Mamady Sidibe, Toure. Booked: Diarra. Ref: El Abderrahim (Morrocco).

Egypt 3-0 Sudan
Egypt remained in control of Group C with a comfortable victory over Sudan. The first goal of a rather uninspiring contest was Hosni Abd Rabou's well-taken penalty on 29 minutes. The match was livened up by two late goals from Mohamed Aboutrika, the first from close range, the second a clever strike from a tight angle. Sudan showed strength but were let down by poor finishing and have only a slim mathematical chance of progressing beyond the group stage. Egypt may have begun their opening game against Cameroon at a dazzling pace, but this time they took longer to assert themselves. In the first half, the Sudan midfield managed to contain Mohamed Zidan, the star of Egypt's 4-2 victory in the opening game against Cameroon. Haytham Tambal had Egypt goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadary diving to his right to stop a shot in the fourth minute. Soon after, at the other end, Egypt were denied a penalty when Ritshard Lado handled, an incident missed by the referee. Sudan captain Haitham Mustafa had a long-distance shot spilled by Al-Hadary midway through the first half. The opener came on 29 minutes, after Sudan goalkeeper Elmuez Mugoub brought down Hosny Abd Rabou in the penalty area. Abd Rabou sent Mughoub the wrong way with his spot-kick. Egypt began the second half in search of a second goal, but Sudan fought hard and began to create chances of their own, but the Nile Crocodiles' finishing was their weak link. But in the 55th minute the Pharaohs nearly struck when Zidan chested down and whipped in a volley that fully tested Mughoub. Egypt then brought on captain Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Aboutrika, and the two key players helped to take control of the game. Aboutrika put Egypt 2-0 ahead on 78 minutes, finishing a three-man move that sliced through the Sudanese defence. Amr Zaki passed to Aboutrika inside the penalty area, his first attempt was blocked, but the second hit the target. Aboutrika then showed why he is known as "the Magician" with a delightful goal. Abd Rabou sent Aboutrika on a run down the left into the box, and he deceived Mughoub into diving to the wrong post as he slotted home from a narrow angle. Egypt need a draw in their final game against Zambia to be certain of a place in the quarter-finals. Sudan can progress only if they beat Cameroon and Zambia lose to Egypt, a situation that would see head-to-head record and goal difference come into play. Egypt: El Hadari, Fathallah (Hassan 56), Hany Said, Fathi, Moawad, Gomaa, Abd Rabou, Shawky, Zidan (Aboutriaka 56), Moteab, Zaki (El Mohamady 80). Subs Not Used: Abdel Monssef, El Saeed, Fadl, Gamal, Mohamed, Mostafa, Ibrahim Said, Shaaban, Sobhy. Booked: Fathallah, Zaki, Aboutriaka. Goals: Abd Rabou 29 pen, Aboutriaka 78, 83. Sudan: Elmuiz Abdalla, El Tayeb, Ali Elkhidir, Eldin Ahmed Gibril (Ali Idris Farah 47), Kuku, Yousif Hado, Lado, Karar, Bader Eldin Abdalla, Kamal Tambal (Hameed Amari 60), Babiker (Agab Sido 81). Subs Not Used: Ahmed, Bakhit, El Basha Adam, El Bashir, El Hadi Salem, Hassan Ali, Hassan, Mohamed Abdalla, Tahir Osman. Booked: Ali Elkhidir, Elmuiz Abdalla, Eldin Ahmed Gibril, Ali Idris Farah. Ref: Codja Koffi (Sudan)

Cameroon 5-1 Zambia
Cameroon punished Zambia's poor defending to bounce back to winning ways and show they are still genuine Africa Cup of Nations contenders. A Geremi free-kick gave Cameroon the lead, and Joseph Desire Job and Achille Emana added goals before the break, both after defensive errors. Samuel Eto'o's penalty equalled the Nations Cup goalscoring record. Shoddy defending gave Job his second and Cameroon their fifth, and Chris Katongo got Zambia's consolation goal. The 14-goal tally of Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast has stood for 28 years, but Eto'o will surely surpass it, with Cameroon looking likely to go beyond the group stage. Making five changes to the team that lost 4-2 to Egypt in their opening match, the Indomitable Lions began with a spell of attack. But Zambia also had chances, and James Chamanga came close with a long-shot on 25 minutes. A minute later Cameroon went ahead, as Geremi's free-kick in front of goal just outside the penalty area curled inside the left post. In the 31st minute it was 2-0, thanks to embarrassing defending by Zambia. Kennedy Nketani missed as he tried to head a long ball away, Billy Mwanza also missed has he attempted to clear, and the ball fell to Job, who only had to stroke past the goalkeeper. Eto'o had a quiet first half, but almost scored on 40 minutes when his ferocious volley whistled over the crossbar. Two minutes before half-time, another defensive blunder gifted Cameroon a goal. Alexandre Song threaded a ball through which Isaac Chansa failed to deal with, and Achille Emana rounded Mweene to make it 3-0. Cameroon sat back as Zambia attacked in the first 20 minutes of the second half. But the Indomitable Lions went further ahead with Eto's spot-kick. The Barcelona striker fired a free-kick into the Zambian wall, and Billy Mwanza handled. The penalty was then calmly slotted into the bottom-left corner. Three minutes later, Zambia's hard-working captain Chris Katongo unleashed a fierce shot that went just over the bar, with goalkeeper Carlos Kameni at full-stretch. Katongo headed onto the crossbar with 15 minutes remaining, Clive Hachilensa then had a shot cleared off the line, and Jacob Mulenga had a shot parried over by Kameni. But another defensive howler made it 5-0, when Clive Hachilensa headed the ball into the path of Job, who walked the ball into the net. A minute from time, the Chipolopo finally got the consolation goal they thoroughly deserved, with Katongo sliding home a cross. The scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game, but Cameroon proved that they remain a class act. Cameroon: Kameni, Binya (Nkong 63), Song, Atouba, Bikey, M'Bami (Makoun 67), Geremi, Emana (Idrissou 77), Song Billong, Eto'o, Job. Subs Not Used: Hamidou, Mbarga, Tchato, Angbwa, Epalle, Essola, Mbia, N'Guemo, Tomou. Goals: Geremi 28, Job 32, 82, Emana 44, Eto'o 66 (pen). Zambia: Mweene, Nketani (Himonde 38), Musonda, Mwanza, Hachilensa, Chansa, Bakala (Njovu 83), Felix Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Christopher Katongo, Chamanga (Sunzu 64). Subs Not Used: Kakonje, Poto, Chinyama, Kampamba, Kalaba, Kasonde, Clifford Mulenga, Phiri, Mayuka. Goals: Christopher Katongo 90. Ref: Yuichi Nichimura (Japan)

Senegal 1-3 Angola
Manchester United-bound Manucho scored a brace to help Angola come from behind and take three points against Senegal in Tamale to go top of Group D. Senegal took the lead on 20 minutes when Abdoulaye Faye headed in a knock down from El-Hadji Diouf's free kick. But Manucho headed an equaliser before scoring from close range after Senegal keeper Tony Syla flapped at a corner. With 14 minutes left Al Ahly striker Flavio put the result beyond doubt by nodding in Yamba Asha's cross. The game started in Tamale with many frustrated fans still stuck outside the stadium, all keen to see how a group that started the day with four teams on one point each would develop. Angola's Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) were the first to create an opening, with a twenty five-yard header from Ah Ahly's Gilberto forcing Sylva to make the first save of the match. The Teranga Lions flashed their attacking teeth when Diouf fizzed a long-range effort over the bar soon after. Senegal threatened again on 18 minutes when Marseille striker Mamadou Niang crossed from near the halfway line to find captain Diouf free inside the area - only for the Bolton Wanderers man to head over from 10 yards out. Two minutes later another deep free kick from Diouf had the intended effect - when Souleymane Diawara headed back across the face of goal to allow Abdoulaye Faye to nod in from close-range. Despite Angola having much of the possession it was Senegal who remained more ruthless with the ball, and they went close again when Frederic Mendy missed a great chance to volley home at the far post. Coach Henri Kasperczak's men were proving a dominating physical presence in midfield, and a hefty two-footed tackle from Newcastle United's Faye led to the goalscorer receiving a yellow card. With four minutes remaining of the half, an inviting cross from Mendy forced Luis 'Lama' Joao to come flying out of his goal to deny an on-rushing Diouf. Angola hit back after the break though, when the sprightly Nsimba 'Ze Kalanga' Baptista broke free on the right flank and crossed to Manucho, who powered a header past Joao to level, and claim his second goal of the tournament. Ze Kalanga was becoming a threat prompting Senegal's defensive enforcer Moustapha Bayal Sall picked up a yellow card for a high and dangerous tackle on the wing man. With both teams pushing for a win Senegal went close next when great movement and interplay between Diouf and Kamara played in Niang, who blazed over. Fulham's Kamara then saw his daisy-cutter whistle past the post from thirty yards before Angola pressed with Maurito, who fired a blistering, dipping shot from 35 yards which forced Sylva to pull off a great reflex save. The turnaround was on when Manucho capitalised on Sylva's failure to punch clear a corner and slammed home from close range for his brace. Al Ahly forward Flavio completed a great second-half performance by Angola, when he headed in his side's third off a cross from Yamba Asha on 76 minutes.

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