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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters It's anybody's guess
Nigeria's 4-2 drubbing of Tunisia signalled that the central African giants are the team to beat but judging by the stolid performances of Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa and Egypt, several countries are worthy of the coveted trophy.
In Group A, Ghana and Cameroon drew 1-1 in the opener, the fourth drawn Nations Cup opener in the tournament's 43-year history. The match prompted Cameroon's disappointed captain Rigobert Song to say his side would need a major boost in morale before their next outing.
Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe, their England-based midfielder, climbed above two defenders in the 20th minute to score a header. The running of Nantes midfielder Salomon Olembe and Foe's persistence in midfield ensured a stream of opportunities after that, but woeful last touches denied Cameroon a bigger half-time lead.
Ghana bounced back 12 minutes into the second half with an equaliser at the end of a brilliant move initiated by defender Samuel Osei Kuffour. His pinpoint pass found Kwame Ayew, who turned cleverly, laid the ball off to Peter Ofori-Quaye and then collected the return pass to hammer the ball past Cameroon goalkeeper Boukar Alioum.
Despite the baking mid-afternoon heat, most of the 45,000 fanatical supporters were already in the stadium four hours before kickoff to witness a sparkling opening ceremony in Ghana. Against a backdrop of incessant drumbeats, hundreds of dancers decked in the red, gold and green of the Ghanaian flag performed a series of traditional displays. The biggest cheer came as eight Asante horseriders performed an ancient war dance before the kickoff.
In Group C, Egypt began its title defence with a comfortable 2-0 win over Zambia in Kanu, Nigeria. Goals by playmaker Yasser Radwan and veteran striker Hossam Hassan, who spearheaded the victory in Burkina Faso two years ago, gave the Pharaohs the perfect start in their group.
"I'm no prophet but I know my boys can do it," said Egypt's French coach Gerard Gili when asked about their prospects for a record fifth Nations Cup title.
Ahmed Salah Hosni making his national team debut during the Egypt-Zambia match
(photo: AFP)
Radwan opened the scoring with a diving header seven minutes before half-time. It was Egypt's 100th goal in the championship's history. In the 50th minute, Hassan, who shared the goal scoring title with South Africa's Bene McCarthy in the 1998 finals in Burkina Faso, converted a chance created by Stuttgart's Ahmed Salah Hosni, who was making his national team debut at age 20.
Zambia, led by veteran captain Kalusha Bwalya, who returned to international soccer after announcing his retirement two years ago, then had its best spell as Egypt relaxed, but its strikers lacked the composure to trouble a strong Egyptian defence
Zambia coach Ben Bamfuchile blamed defensive lapses for his team's disappointing defeat. "We played well today but we made a few mistakes, two silly mistakes," he said. Zambia at least avoided a repeat of a 4-0 thumping at the hands of the same opponent in 1998.
In Group B, Swiss-based striker Shaun Bartlett scored twice in the second half as South Africa came from a goal down to beat Gabon 3-1 in the opening match in Kwasi. French-based midfielder Chiva Star Nzigou, at 16 the youngest competitor in the championship's history, scored after 20 minutes with a master touch from Daniel Cousin's cross. The lead lasted until the 42nd minute when Dumisa Ngobe equalised with a header from Quinton Fortune's free kick.
Any aspirations Gabon had of a shock start to the tournament faded in the 54th minute when Bartlett of FC Zurich sneaked in at the far post to steer another Fortune free kick home from an acute angle. Goalkeeper Jacques Deckousshoud completely missed the kick and Bartlett netted his 13th goal for his country. His second of the night came with a simple tap-in in the 77th minute after Deckousshoud missed a square ball from John Moshoeu. Moshoeu also hit the upright with a first-half header.
Austin Okocha and Victor Ikpeba scored two goals each as co-hosts Nigeria swept to a resounding 4-2 win over Tunisia in its opening Group D match. The Super Eagles controlled the match from the start and only a late goal by Tunisia added respectability to the scoreline.
"We've won this game and we've been able to show the stuff we're made of," said Nigerian captain Sunday Oliseh.
Paris St Germain's Okocha set the Nigerians on their way in the 28th minute, scoring with a low shot after Nwankwo Kanu's pass split the Tunisian defence.
Tunisia silenced the home crowd in the 49th minute when Walid Azaiez equalised against the run of play with a flying header. Nigeria regained the lead nine minutes later when Okocha slipped between two defenders and scored with a shot that went through the legs of goalkeeper Chokri Al-Ouaer.
Borussia Dortmund's Ikpeba then scored twice in quick succession to settle the result -- his first coming from a clever flick by Arsenal striker Kanu.
Adel Sellimi struck an injury time goal for the Tunisians before the final whistle sparked scenes of wild celebration amongst the home crowd.
Nigeria, excluded from the 1998 African Nations Cup after withdrawing from the 1996 event because of a political dispute with host South Africa, is co-hosting the 16-nation event with Ghana. With home advantage and the competition's best talent, Nigeria should be the overwhelming favourite. But the Super Eagles' patchy preparation despite their outstanding victory suggests that Africa's premier soccer competition is still as open as ever.
Other results:
Group A Cote d'Ivoire vs Togo 1-1
Group B Congo DR vs Algeria 0-0
Group C Burkina Faso vs Senegal 1-3
Group D Morocco vs Congo 1-0
