Group B: Sudan 2-2 Angola
How it happened: Mohamed Ahmed Bashir scored Sudan’s first goals in 36 years at the Africa Cup of Nations as the East Africans twice came from behind to hold Angola to a 2-2 draw.
Former Manchester United striker Manucho twice put Angola in front, his first coming in the fifth minute when he capitalised on some sloppy defending to finish low across Salim into the bottom corner.
Bashir drew Sudan level in the 33rd minute when he outjumped two defenders to head home a historic goal, but the “Falcons of Jediane” found themselves behind again five minutes after the restart when Manucho scored from the spot.
But Sudan were not to be deterred as Angola sat back to protect their lead and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 74th minute which keeps their hopes of making the knockout stages alive.
José Vinguidica failed to clear his lines and Bashir was on hand to power home a volley from close range, securing Sudan’s first point at the tournament since 1976.
Key player: Mohamed Ahmed Bashir. Sudan don’t score a lot of goals at the ACN, as you might have guessed, so to score two was a pretty big deal for the striker.
Turning point: Nando Rafael’s shoulder injury. Not long after coming on as a second-half sub, the young striker had to be replaced by José Vinguidica, who was at fault for Bashir’s second.
What it means: Angola only need a point from their final game against Ivory Coast to qualify, while Sudan will need to beat Burkina Faso and hope that Angola lose.
YouTube Credit: iFootball10
Group B: Ivory Coast 2-0 Burkina Faso
How it happened: Goals from Salomon Kalou and a late own goal helped Ivory Coast to a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso and a place in the ACN quarter-finals.
It was Burkina who enjoyed most of the possession last night in Malabo, but Paolo Duarte’s men failed to create the chances they needed to prevent them from going out of this year’s tournament.
Kalou gave Ivory Coast the lead in the 16th minute. Drogba’s cross from the right eluded Yaya Touré at the front post, but Kalou was lurking at the back for a clinical finish that left Burkinabe keeper Daouda Diakité with no chance.
Moumouni Dagano had a chance to head Burkina Faso level in the 72nd minute only to see his effort come back off the bar, and Ivory Coast were assured the win eight minutes from time when Bakary Koné headed into his own net.
Turning point: Had Dagano taken advantage of a brilliant opportunity to equalise in the 72nd minute, Group B would be taking on a very different complexion today.
What it means: Ivory Coast are through to the quarter-finals; Burkina Faso are out. So there.
YouTube Credit: iFootball10
Next up: Lovely Libreville hosts a Group C double-header this evening. First up at 16:00 GMT, it’s Niger vs Tunisia, followed by Gabon vs Morocco at 19:00.
