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ACN2012

Out of Africa: here’s your daily round-up from the Africa Cup of Nations

The name’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; don’t you forget it. Here’s how it all went down in Group C last night.

Group C: Gabon 1-0 Tunisia

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG’S third goal at this year’s tournament gave Gabon a 1-0 win over Tunisia and sent the co-hosts through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group C.

Both sides had already qualified for the knockout rounds before last night’s game in Libreville, which was settled by Aubameyang in the 62nd minute.

Gabon broke at pace and Daniel Cousin’s sweeping through ball found Aubemeyang who turned Bilel Ifa and shot past goalkeeper Rami Jerid, who could only help the ball into the roof of the net with an outstretched leg.

Gabon had a late shot for a penalty turned when the ever-lively Aubameyang was upended in the box, but Gernot Rohr’s men were able to keep Tunisia at bay and set up a return to Libreville for the quarter-finals on Sunday.

What it means: Both teams had already qualified before a ball was kicked, but Aubameyang’s winner sees Gabon progress as group winners where they should, theoretically speaking, get an easier quarter-final draw against the Group D runners-up.

YouTube Credit: iFootball10

Group C: Niger 0-1 Morocco

Morocco closed out a dismal tournament with a 1-0 win against Niger which restored some semblance of pride for the North Africans.

Both sides had their bags packed for the flight home after losses against Gabon and Tunisia, and Niger may feel slightly aggrieved not to have come away with a point from last night’s game in Libreville.

The Niger back-line’s calls for offside fell on deaf ears as Marouane Chamakh played in Younes Belhanda for the winning goal 11 minutes from time. The Montpellier midfielder was slipping, but once he managed to direct his shot on target from close range, keeper Daouda Kassaly could do little to stop it.

Morocco’s Mohamed Amsif was the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout and he watched gratefully as Maazou’s first-half volley came back off the woodwork, while Karim’s late effort to snatch an equaliser whistled over the bar.

What it means: Very little — both of these teams are on the plane home. Morocco save a tiny bit of face with a win which condemned Niger to Group C’s wooden spoon.

YouTube Credit: iFootball10

Next up: We say a fond farewell to the group stages as Group D reaches its denouement this evening. In Libreville, Botswana take on Mali while in Franceville, it’s Ghana versus Guinea. Both games kick off at 18:00 GMT.

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