South Africa and Senegal fail to reach last eight

Published on Thursday 31 January 2008 21:15

SENEGAL and South Africa were eliminated from the African Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw in their last Group D match in Kumasi yesterday.

Both teams needed a win to revive slim hopes of reaching the last eight, but finished behind Tunisia and Angola in the standings. Those countries played out a goalless draw in Tamale, meaning Angola qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history.

Elrio van Heerden opened the scoring for South Africa inside the first quarter of an hour, finishing off a swift passing move unmarked at the back post.

West Ham striker Henri Camara equalised for Senegal eight minutes before half time after a defensive slip by South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena allowed him through on goal.

Both sides created several chances and Senegal goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul made a series of key saves in the second half to keep South Africa at bay.

Coundoul came into the game after Senegal had suspended first-choice goalkeeper Tony Sylva and captain El Hadji Diouf because of an unauthorised night out on the town earlier in the week

"Being a new team I think we go back home with some positive things," said South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "My young players learnt a lot about high level football and the process of learning goes on.

"We are satisfied with some things, but for the World Cup of course we need to improve a lot more than here." South Africa host the 2010 event.

Senegal's new coach, Lamine Ndiaye, said he and his predecessors had to take responsibility for the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists' failure to reach the second round. Senegal reached the semi-finals of the last African Cup of Nations Cup in 2006, losing to hosts and eventual winners Egypt.