By Evans Owusu
Accra (Ghana)-True to predictions before the last games, South Africa topped Group B of the on-going CAN 2000 tournament to set a re-stage of their 1996 showdown with Ghana, perhaps the only difference being the shift in venue as the Bafana Bafana played host the other time.
In their last game honoured at the Kumasi Sports Stadium yesterday the Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with the Desert Warriors of Algeria to earn seven points to lead the Group followed by the North Africans who bagged five to place second.
It was the tournament?s leading scorer Thurston Bartlett who netted the fastest goal of the competition when he moved deep into Algeria?s vital area to connect a shot across goal in the second minute to put South Africa ahead.
From then on the Bafana Bafana who appeared content with their points had in previous matches, played as if there was nothing at stake and allowed Algeria to control the game.
Eight minutes into the second half Algeria managed with an equaliser when a shot by Moussouni Fawzi deflected off the boot of defender Lucas Radebe to beat his goalkeeper Johannes Vonk.
The Algerians would meet Group A leaders, Cameroon at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday 6th February.
The Democratic Republic of Congo had a goaless draw with Gabon at the Accra Sports Stadium. Both teams failed to qualify for the next stage of the tournament after placing third and forth respectively in Group B. They have since returned home.
It was Gabon who were more purposeful and should have carried the day after a brilliant second half display but poor marksmanship robbed them of the opportunity.
Congo kicked off strongly and launched an attack into Gabon?s vital area but it was short-lived and the Gabonese took over with good play on the wings where man-of-the-match Theodore Zue Nguema and Jonas Ogandaga operated.
The Gabonese raid brought them pretty close in the 28th, 43rd, 72nd, 78th and 83rd minutes but like in their other matches they were robbed by inexperience as they either delayed with a final application or effected it poorly.
The draw leaves Congo third on the table with two points and the only side in the competition not to have scored a goal in the 16- nation tournament.
Gabon however leaves at forth placed in the Group after thrilling fans with their entertaining but goal-shy soccer.
With Group B matches also played there remain only Group D encounters to be honoured today to push the competition into the knockout level.
At the Surulere Stadium at 15 GMT today, Nigeria will encounter one of their stiffest opposition as they host the Atlas of Morocco.
Playmaker Austin Jay Jay Okocha has appealed to the fans to comport themselves in times of difficulty.
The Nigerian fans went wild on 28 January and pelted the players with objects that made play difficult when the Super Eagles were finding it difficult to find the net in their match against less fancied Congo.
Tunisia will also play Congo in a prayerful mood hoping for a slip by either Morocco or Nigeria, which could brighten their chances of qualification into the quarterfinals. The Tunisians who are tied with Congo at one point are hopeful of beating their opponents at Kano this afternoon to pick a ticket alongside the winner of the Lagos match to advance into the next stage.
Six clubs that have so far reached the quarterfinals are Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and Senegal.
A total of 47 goals have been scored in the competition with 22 matches played, which gives an average of 2.1 per match.
In the goal-king race, South Africa?s Thurston Bartlett leads with four goals to his credit, followed by 1998 goal-king Hossan Hassam of Egypt. Ghana?s Kwame Ayew, and Nigeria?s Victor Ikpeba and Austin Okocha are tied with two goals.
