MTNFootball

Senegal and South Africa played to a 1-1 draw in their MTN Africa Cup of Nations Group D match in Kumasi on Thursday night as the teams bowed out of the tournament.

Both sides needed a handsome victory and for the result between Tunisia and Angola in Tamale to go their way if they were to have any chance of progressing to the next round, but with the two matches ending deadlocked, it was the Black Antelopes and the Carthage Eagles who secured the remaining quarterfinal berths.

Senegal, already reeling from the 3-1 loss to Angola on Sunday and the subsequent resignation of coach Henryk Kasperczak, were dealt a further blow when stand-in coach Lamine Ndiaye took the decision to exclude captain El Hadji Diouf, as well as goalkeeper Tony Sylva and midfielder Ousmane Ndoye from their squad after the trio were found to be out on a late night drinking spree.

And they seemed destined to fall to a second consecutive defeat after South Africa took an early lead through Elrio van Heerden.

However, Henri Camara capitalised on a defensive error from South African captain Aaron Mokoena to bring the Lions of Teranga level late in the first half.

South Africa dominated the second half, but errant finishing, some rushed play in the final third and a handful of fine saves from goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul saw them failing to profit from their opportunities.

South Africa took the lead after just 14 minutes when van Heerden calmly converted Teko Modise’s cross from the left of the Senegal penalty area after good work by left-back Tsepo Masilela.

Bafana Bafana could have found themselves two goals to the good midway through the first half when Sibusiso Zuma cut inside from the left channel and shot on goal but Coundoul produced a fine save.

Senegal drew level on 37 minutes when Mokoena failed to cut out Moustapha Bayal Sall’s ball over the top of the defence and Camara stroked the ball past goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.

Coundoul produced three excellent saves in the second half to deny Sibusiso Zuma, Lerato Chabangu and Kagisho Dikgacoi, but he had some fortune when Siphiwe Tshabalala’s chipped cross come back off the upright and the rebound eluded Bafana Bafana’s strikers.

Senegal themselves wasted a couple of good scoring opportunities, with Pape Waigo Ndiaye and Babacar Gueye putting late efforts off target.

The Lions of Teranga and Bafana Bafana finished level on two points apiece, while Angola and Tunisia garnered five points each.