Paul Mbuga
31 January 2008
Kampala — Senegal 1 S. Africa 1
Tunisia 0 Angola 0
ANGOLA and Tunisia lumbered to a tame 0-0 draw to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations last night.
The result was a convenient one for both sides, who entered the final round of Group D matches on four points apiece, and snuffed out any hopes South Africa and Senegal -- who drew 1-1 -- had of sneaking into the last eight.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira had promised that his side would abide by their all-out attacking philosophy, but the obvious desire not to jeopardize qualification ensured a risk-free approach eventually prevailed.
The Bafana Bafana and Teranga Lions were always bound to offer a more entertaining contest because of the combined gravity of their situation, but the Senegalese were rocked before the match by the suspension of three players.
Captain El Hadji Diouf, goalkeeper Tony Sylva and midfielder Ousmane Ndoye were penalized by coach Lamine Ndiaye for breaking a night-time curfew.
Elrio van Heerden gave South Africa the lead, before Henri Camara equalized with a cool finish.
Angola will play Egypt in the quarter-finals, while Tunisia meet Cameroon.
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Cameroon coach Otto Pfister came under fire yesterday for setting a bad example by smoking at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi during Saturday's game against Zambia.
The condemnation of the 70-year-old's decision to light up in a stadium where smoking is banned came from the Abibimman Foundation, a local non-government health organisation.
The body issued a statement accusing the oldest manager at the African Nations Cup of giving a bad image to young people in Ghana and Africa.
"This negative behaviour must not be allowed to continue in Ghana," the statement insisted.
The silver-haired veteran's impact is such that according to his penchant for wearing trousers and shorts far below the waist started a new style trend known as 'The Otto Pfister'.
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Guinea manager Robert Nouzaret says his team are being too nice for their own good at the African Nations Cup.
"I've taken on a minder to protect them because they are too nice with the fans," the Frenchman told reporters ahead of their quarter-final against Ivory Coast on Sunday.
"When the fans come to the hotel to see them, they just can't say 'no' and waste a lot of time while they should be resting. So Mohamed Djon is taking care of it."
Nouzaret recalled an incident in June of last year, when another unexpected visitor met the team - and stayed.
"One day, when we were playing in Algeria, this guy came and said he was there on behalf of the sports minister to look after the players. I said 'no problem'. And he's been with us ever since."
Nouzaret has plenty of experience in African football, having coached Ivory Coast from 1996-98 and again from 2002-04 before taking charge of Guinea in December 2006.
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