Senegal unlucky as Zambia goal supply runs dry

February 26, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Senegal and Zambia ground out a goalless African Nations Championship draw on Wednesday in an Abidjan showdown that failed to match expectations.

The result left the teams sharing the leadership of Group A with four points each from two matches and Zambia in front because of a superior goal difference after a shock three-goal mauling of hosts Ivory Coast last Sunday.

Senegal were less spectacular winners on the opening day, edging Tanzania in a match that delivered a solitary goal, but coach Joseph Koto did his homework well on the Zambians.

Forced into a physical battle, Zambia came off second best for most of a struggle fought mainly in midfield with few scoring chances and failed to capitalise on the late dismissal of Senegalese defender Babacar Ndiour.

Senegal also cut the supply line to the wings, leaving Zambia to play an alien game and striker Given Singuluma, three-goal hero of the Ivory Coast triumph, made little impression before being substituted.

Zambia left captain Elijah Tana, who missed the first game of the maiden tournament for home-based African footballers, on the bench until the second half and he made several timely interceptions when introduced.

"I simply do not know what went wrong with my players. I am disappointed with their output," confessed France-born Zambia coach Herve Renard to reporters.

"We lost everything, technically, mentally and physically, but the most important thing is that we grabbed a point and stayed top. We shall give our all in the final match against Tanzania."

Koto was worried as Senegal complete their mini-league fixtures on Saturday against the host nation before a probable sell-out 35,000 crowd at the renovated Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.

"Senegal lost two valuable points and that is not good for our cause. We were the best team and created many chances. Our final game will now prove decisive and I hope we make the most of it."

Group A top seeds Ivory Coast play Tanzania later in the second part of a double-header needing maximum points to get their campaign back on track.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Abidjan, african footballers, african nations, alien game, Boigny Stadium, captain Elijah Tana, elijah, felix houphouet boigny, Felix Houphouet-, final game, final match, first game, four points, goal difference, goal hero, herve renard, host nation, Ivory Coast, johannesburg, Joseph Koto, koto, last sunday, midfield, opening day, Senegal, solitary goal, tana, Tanzania, World Cup, Zambia, zambia coach

Singuluma scores hat-trick as Zambia stun Ivory Coast

February 23, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Hosts Ivory Coast slumped to a shock 3-0 defeat to Zambia in Abidjan on Sunday as the first African Nations Championship got off to a dramatic start.

The striker who destroyed Ivorian dreams of a winning start in Group A before a packed 35,000 crowd at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium almost missed the competition for African footballers playing in their land of birth.

Hat-trick hero Given Singuluma only returned to Zambia in midweek from Finland where he had successful trials with FC Haka who he is set to join after the two-week African tournament.

The Finnish offer of a three-year contract comes after Singuluma was forced to rejoin Zambian club Zanaco having been freed by South African Premiership strugglers Bay United.

Singuluma put Zambia ahead after 35 minutes in the Ivorian commercial capital, added a crucial second early in the second half and completed the rout four minutes from full-time.

Had the Zambians not squandered several clearcut chances the winning margin would have been even wider before a crowd that included heads of state from Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo.

Defeat was a stunning early blow for Ivory Coast – joint top seeds with Group B favourites Ghana – whose coach Georges Kouadio boasted that home support would steer them all the way to the title.

Now he must speedily revive his squad for a Wednesday clash with Senegal or face a humiliating first round exit from the first major football event staged by Ivory Coast since the 1984 African Nations Cup.

France-born Zambia coach Herve Renard ignored the pre-tournament war of words as he cursed his luck at having to face Ivory Coast without captain and defensive rock Elijah Tana.

The oldest member of the Zambian squad turns 34 next Saturday and instead of flying to west Africa with the national team, went to Angola and signed for a club there.

Renard also had to do without the youngest footballer among the 23 he chose, 15-year-old defender Emmanuel Mbola, who was finalising a deal with Armenian club Pyunik Yerevan.

Senegal face Tanzania later on Sunday at the same venue in the second half of a double-header and on Monday Ghana play Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet Libya in the central city Bouake.

Written by: AFP