Zambia out, Nigeria, Burkina Faso qualify
31 Jan 2013 1:29 AM GMT
Defending champions Zambia were knocked out as Chelsea star Victor Moses lifted Nigeria into the quarter-finals with unheralded Burkina Faso joining them at the Africa Cup of Nations Tuesday.
Group C finished in thrilling fashion with Moses converting two late penalties to beat Ethiopia 2-0 and put Nigeria into second place behind surprise table-toppers Burkina Faso.
While this duo were celebrating progress to the knockout stage, Zambia were packing their bags after becoming the first title-holders since Algeria in 1992 to suffer a first-round exit.
The 2012 heroes were left stranded in third place after three successive stalemates, Herve Renard’s side eliminated after a closing goalless draw in Nelspruit against the Burkinabe. Coached by Belgian Paul Put, Burkina Faso’s defence held firm in a tense, tactical affair as Zambia struggled to convert possession for the win they so badly needed.
With 11 minutes remaining Zambia were, however, still on course to pip Nigeria for the runners-up spot.
With identical points, goal difference and goals scored, they would have gone through by dint of fewer yellow and red cards than Nigeria. That was before Moses popped up to down Ethiopia in the simultaneous match in north-western mining town Rustenburg.
‘This is a victory for Nigerians where ever they are in the world. This is a time for celebration. Now we face title favourites Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals and there will be no second chance for either side. I have a game plan but, with respect, that is for the players and not for you guys (journalists),’ coach Stephen Keshi said. Put had told his men this was their chance to write history for their country, and they didn’t let him down.
Group C finished in thrilling fashion with Moses converting two late penalties to beat Ethiopia 2-0 and put Nigeria into second place behind surprise table-toppers Burkina Faso.
While this duo were celebrating progress to the knockout stage, Zambia were packing their bags after becoming the first title-holders since Algeria in 1992 to suffer a first-round exit.
The 2012 heroes were left stranded in third place after three successive stalemates, Herve Renard’s side eliminated after a closing goalless draw in Nelspruit against the Burkinabe. Coached by Belgian Paul Put, Burkina Faso’s defence held firm in a tense, tactical affair as Zambia struggled to convert possession for the win they so badly needed.
With 11 minutes remaining Zambia were, however, still on course to pip Nigeria for the runners-up spot.
With identical points, goal difference and goals scored, they would have gone through by dint of fewer yellow and red cards than Nigeria. That was before Moses popped up to down Ethiopia in the simultaneous match in north-western mining town Rustenburg.
‘This is a victory for Nigerians where ever they are in the world. This is a time for celebration. Now we face title favourites Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals and there will be no second chance for either side. I have a game plan but, with respect, that is for the players and not for you guys (journalists),’ coach Stephen Keshi said. Put had told his men this was their chance to write history for their country, and they didn’t let him down.
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