Central African Republic stun Egypt as Algeria advance
- Published
10-man Central African Republic (CAR) stunned Egypt to take a 3-2 lead in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tie, inflicting Egypt's first home defeat in Nations Cup qualifying since 1965.
Egypt now travel to Bangui for the second leg of their tie on 30 June.
While Algeria beat visitors The Gambia 4-1 on Friday to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory.
The win means Algeria are into the final tound of qualifying for next year's Nations Cup in South Africa.
Egypt took an early lead in Alexandria with Mohamed Zidan scoring in the 0th-minute lead through Zidan before Hilaire Momi equalised 16 minutes later.
CAR Defender Salif Keita was then sent off before Mohamed Salah netted just after the break to put Egypt in front.
But CAR, who lost coach Jules Accorsi last month because of a dispute over payments, then bounced back with two second-half goals.
First the Egypt defence were caught waiting for the referee's whistle, when Foxi Kethevoama was pushed over in the area by Ahmed Hegazy in the area.
Instead the official allowed play to continue and Kethevoama passed Momi who recorded his second with ease.
Then Manga put the visitors in front with more than 20 minutes remaining - and they held on, despite being a man down and facing six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game.
Egypt are now in danger of missing out on the finals for the second tournament in a row after having won an unprecedented three back to back Nations Cup titles between 2006 and 2010.
In Blida Algeria took the lead in the very first minute through Foued Kadir against The Gambia.
Islam Slimani doubled the lead five minutes later leaving the Scorpions with a mountain to climb.
They were given a glimmer of hope when Saidhou Gassama's long range effort went in moments later.
But Slimani, who plays in Algeria for CR Belouizdad, scored twice in the second-half to complete his hat-trick and give his side a convincing win.
Algeria now go into the draw for the third round of Nations Cup qualifying, where the 16 finalists from this year's tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon join the fray.
- Published8 June 2012
- Published8 June 2012
- Published12 June 2013