Zimpapers Logo

TUSSLE FOR POSSESSION . . . Rodrigues (left) gets past Mbola (right) during the game in African Cup of Nations Group B yesterday. — AFP/Getty Images

Estadio de Ebibeyin. — Both Cape Verde and Zambia were eliminated from the African Nations Cup yesterday after they played out a goalless draw in treacherous conditions at Estadio de Ebibeyin.

Cape Verde finished with three points and with the same goal difference as the Democratic Republic of Congo, who drew 1-1 with Tunisia in Bata at the same time, but scored one goal less and were therefore eliminated by the slimmest of margins.

DRC go through with group winners Tunisia.

Zambia, who were the 2012 winners, finished last in Group B with only two points.

The match was played in a tropical downpour that made the game unplayable at times as giant puddles stopped the flow of the ball and risked injury to the players.

It is the second successive tournament that the 2012 champions have been eliminated from the Africa Cup.

Their exit is even more sour as Zambia depart from Equatorial Guinea where they launched their path to victory in 2012.

Meanwhile, the first half of the encounter was a hot and cold affair with both sides creating very little chances.

Cape Verde though were lively through their winger Heldon who whipped in crosses into Zambia’s area.

But the quality of his crosses was equalled by the class of defender Stopilla Sunzu whose interceptions and gritty tackling were too much for Cape Verde’s attackers.

Zambia on the other hand had two great chances in the first half with Evans Kangwa’s 15th minute effort going marginally wide after he beat Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias.

Chipolopolo captain Rainford Kalaba too had a go at Dias but saw his volley in the 23rd minute tipped out for a corner.

Cape Verde’s best effort came on the 45th minute when Garry Rodrigues’ grass-cutter free kick rolled across the face of Zambia goal with no one committed to clearing it from Chipolopolo or putting the final touch by the Blue Sharks. Cape Verde had a couple of half-hearted chances through Ordair and Heldon but Kennedy Mweene was alert to the danger.

Zambia on the other hand could have snatched a dramatic winner in stoppage time through Mukuka Mulenga.

However the 82nd minute substitute fired a through ball from Kalaba across the face of goal to summarize Chipolopolo’s story at this year’s tournament.

TEAMS

Zambia: Mweene,Munthali (Malama 56′), Nkausu,Sunzu,Mbola,Mtonga,Musonda (Ngoma 70), Kalaba,Kangwa,Singuluma (Mukuka 82’), Chisamba

Cape Verde: Dias,Tavares,Valera,Monteiro (Fortes 72),Heldon, Rodrigues,Admilson, Rocha,Lima, Mendes(Semedo 56),Tavares (Miranda 7 — SuperSport