Sport
Africa cup of nations 2012 Update: Ghana, Mali advance to quarterfinals
Ghana and Mali were the last teams to qualify for the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals, but the tournament was overshadowed by violence at a club game in Egypt that left at least 74 people dead on what FIFA President Sepp Blatter called “a dark day for football.”
Clashes between fans of clubs Al-Ahly and Al-Masry on Wednesday resulted in the sport’s worst violence since at least 78 people were killed during a stampede at a 1996 World Cup qualifier between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City.
The Confederation of African Football, which organizes the African Cup, said a minute’s silence would be held before all quarterfinals this weekend as a mark of respect for the dead. About 1,000 people were injured.
In Gabon, Ghana drew 1-1 with Guinea to win Group D and set up a quarterfinal against Tunisia on Sunday. While Mali came from behind to beat Botswana 2-1 and advance in second spot to meet co-host Gabon, also on Sunday.
Zambia plays Sudan and tournament favourite Ivory Coast goes up against co-host Equatorial Guinea in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
But Africa’s showpiece event is bound to take on a more sombre mood after the incidents in Egypt’s Mediterranean city of Port Said, where hundreds of fans clashed on the field and players and team officials were also in danger from the chaotic violence.
