Sport
Nigeria, South Africa out of nations cup
Nigeria Soccer Team
(Reuters) – Nigeria and South Africa were among the heavyweight casualties on the penultimate day of African Nations Cup qualifying as Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Tunisia, Zambia and Niger all made it through to next year’s tournament.
War-torn Libya also qualified as one of the two best runners-up but Nigeria missed out on the finals after Guinea scored a 95th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 in Abuja.
South Africa also failed to qualify after being held to a goalless home draw by Sierra Leone.
Libya’s triumph came after a 0-0 draw with Zambia in Chingola and caps a campaign that saw them forced to play five of their six group matches away and yet still finish unbeaten.
“This is for all Libyans, for our revolution,” said 39-year-old goalkeeper Samir Aboud, whose agile saves kept his side’s goal intact in their Group C clash.
The other spot reserved for second-placed finishers in the four team groups will be decided on Sunday when the last set of matches are played. Sudan are best placed to qualify after Saturday’s matches despite losing 2-0 at home to Ghana.
South Africa’s failure to beat Sierra Leone left them level on points with their opponents and Niger.
Niger, who lost 3-0 in Egypt, finished top of a mini league table of head-to-head results between the three countries to qualify for the finals for the first time.
