Malawi stuns Algeria, Ivory Coast struggles
Source: Agencies |
January 13, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MALAWI gained its first ever victory at the African Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over World Cup qualifier Algeria in Group A on Monday, while tournament favorite Ivory Coast could only manage a scoreless draw against west African neighbor Burkina Faso in Group B.
Following Togo's withdrawal from the tournament, Ivory Coast will have to beat Ghana on Friday in its last group match to be guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.
"The game against Ghana will be a crucial one," Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure said. "But I'm confident we will work hard. Ghana is one of the best team in Africa. We'll need to show character, we have the spirit, the team."
Ghana was scheduled to play its first game on Monday against Togo, which withdrew after two members of its delegation died in an gun attack on the team bus on Friday.
In Luanda, Russell Mwafulirwa grabbed the opener for Malawi at a largely deserted city stadium after 17 minutes, blasting a left-footed shot into an empty net after a goalkeeping blunder by Fawzi Chaouchi. Bryson Kafoteka doubled the lead with a header in the 36th before Davi Banda netted Malawi's third with a low shot in the 49th.
Algeria, champion in 1990, struggled to create meaningful chances against a side whose only previous appearance at the African Cup finals was in 1984.
The result means that Malawi leads Group A with three points, two ahead of Angola and Mali, who drew 4-4 in the opening match on Sunday.
"We know we are being treated as the underdogs," Malawi's South African-based midfielder, Josephy Kamwendo, said.
"We know we are playing against big teams but, like them, we are here to win."
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said it was too early to give up. "We still have a chance to progress but we need to play well against Mali," he said.
Following Togo's withdrawal from the tournament, Ivory Coast will have to beat Ghana on Friday in its last group match to be guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.
"The game against Ghana will be a crucial one," Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure said. "But I'm confident we will work hard. Ghana is one of the best team in Africa. We'll need to show character, we have the spirit, the team."
Ghana was scheduled to play its first game on Monday against Togo, which withdrew after two members of its delegation died in an gun attack on the team bus on Friday.
In Luanda, Russell Mwafulirwa grabbed the opener for Malawi at a largely deserted city stadium after 17 minutes, blasting a left-footed shot into an empty net after a goalkeeping blunder by Fawzi Chaouchi. Bryson Kafoteka doubled the lead with a header in the 36th before Davi Banda netted Malawi's third with a low shot in the 49th.
Algeria, champion in 1990, struggled to create meaningful chances against a side whose only previous appearance at the African Cup finals was in 1984.
The result means that Malawi leads Group A with three points, two ahead of Angola and Mali, who drew 4-4 in the opening match on Sunday.
"We know we are being treated as the underdogs," Malawi's South African-based midfielder, Josephy Kamwendo, said.
"We know we are playing against big teams but, like them, we are here to win."
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said it was too early to give up. "We still have a chance to progress but we need to play well against Mali," he said.
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