News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 12 years ago
Rediff.com  » Sports » African Nations Cup: Equatorial Guinea reach last eight, Senegal crash out

African Nations Cup: Equatorial Guinea reach last eight, Senegal crash out

January 26, 2012 15:52 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Equatorial Guinea produced arguably the biggest ever upset in African Nations Cup finals on Wednesday by beating Senegal 2-1 to book a quarter-final place and send one of the favourites tumbling out.

A stunning long-range shot by fullback David Alvarez in stoppage time sent Equatorial Guinea to top place in Group A and the small country into delirious celebration.

Iban Iyanga, better known by his footballing name Randy, headed home the first goal of the game just after the hour mark to set up the win but home hopes seemed dashed when Senegal equalised in the 89th minute through Moussa Sow.

Alvarez then hit a spectacular drive from outside the penalty box to win the match and ensure one of Africa's smallest countries will play in next week's quarter-finals.

Big guns Senegal, after a surprise loss to Zambia on the opening day, are out.

Spurred on by some 30,000 red-clad spectators who screamed and cheered almost every move by their team, Equatorial Guinea held out against a Senegal lineup full of players from European clubs.

Ranked 108 places below Senegal, Equatorial Guinea's controversially-assembled side - all born outside the country - fought for every ball on a rain-soddened pitch.

The hosts had few chances but also ensured a frustrating evening for Senegal, who threw everything forward in the last quarter-hour before Sow equalised.

Senegal striker Demba Ba had three good opportunities in a 12-minute spell in the first half but missed them all. A stinging shot from Guirane Ndaw was also well-saved by Equatorial Guinea's Brazil-born goalkeeper Danilo.

In the second half Mamadou Niang also produced chances for Senegal but the home defence held tight until Sow netted from close range.

Senegal had been the strongest-looking team in the qualifiers, emerging from a tough group ahead of former winners Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but now go home victims of the most unlikely result.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup