The 15 teams to join hosts South Africa in the 29th edition of Africa
Cup of Nations are known after a dramatic final weekend of qualifiers
saw tears of joy and pain across the continent.
Cape Verde Islands secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for
dramatic he first time Sunday and former champions Ethiopia are back in
the big time after a 30-year absence. The much-hyped return of striker
and captain Samuel Eto'o helped four-time champions Cameroon to a 2-1
home win over Cape Verde, but a 3-2 aggregate loss means a second
consecutive failure to reach the African football showcase.
Alula Girma and Saladin Seid scored within three minutes during the
second half in Addis Ababa to earn Ethiopia a 2-0 victory over Sudan and
a ticket to South Africa next January on away goals after a 5-5
aggregate deadlock.
An early Antonio Pereira goal was just what Cape Verde needed to settle
the nerves in the intimidating cauldron of a packed 60 000-seat Ahmadou
Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde. Achille Emana levelled soon after and there
was relentless Indomitable Lions second-half pressure, including an
Eto'o attempt that rebounded off the woodwork, but all they had to show
for it was a late Fabrice Olinga goal.
Portuguese-speaking Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of
Senegal with a population of just 500 000, and the national squad
consists mainly of footballers at unfashionable European clubs.
The qualification of the Ethiopian Black Lions confirmed a recent
upsurge of fortunes that has seen them lead a 2014 World Cup qualifying
group after holding South Africa away and defeating Central African
Republic at home.
They also won on away goals against Benin in the first elimination round
for the 2013 Cup of Nations and now return to a tournament they won for
the only time 50 years ago. Sudan won a goal-flush first encounter 5-3
thanks to a late Mohamed Al Tahir brace and were barely troubled during
the opening half at the national stadium in the heart of the Ethiopian
capital. As the hour mark passed without a goal it was looking good for
the visitors, and then Girma and Egypt-based Seid turned the match on
its head to the delight of a sell-out 30 000 crowd.
Alain Traore struck five minutes into stoppage time to give Burkina Faso
a 3-1 home win over giant-killers Central African Republic, who took a
one-goal lead into the tie having stunned seven-time champions Egypt in
the last round.
Former Manchester United signing Manucho Goncalves scored twice in the
early minutes in Luanda to secure a 2-0 win for Angola over Zimbabwe,
overall victory on away goals after a 3-3 tie, and a fifth consective
Africa Cup appearance.
Niger left it much later to upset Guinea 2-0 and squeeze through on
aggregate after a solitary-goal first leg loss with Mohammed Chikoto and
Issoufou Garba netting in the closing stages.
Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham was on target for Togo in a 2-1 win over
2012 co-hosts Gabon, who were held at home in the first leg. Wome Dove
was the other Togolese marksman and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a
late consolation goal.
Equatorial Guinea halved a four-goal first-leg deficit against the
Democratic Republic of Congo after 35 minutes in Malabo, but Youssouf
Mulumbu reduced the arrears before halftime and the home team had to
settle for a hollow 2-1 win.
Any hope Libya had of overhauling a one-goal loss first time out against
Algeria did not last long in Blida with El Arbi Hilal Soudani and Islam
Slimani scoring within seven minutes and the home side cruised to a 2-0
victory.
An October 24 draw in Indian Ocean city Durban will divide the 15
survivors plus South Africa automatic qualifiers as hosts into four
groups for the January 19-February 10 flagship tournament.
Qualifiers for 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be played in South Africa are as following in (alphabetical order:
Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Island, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Niger,
Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia and Zambia (holders)
http://www.supersport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/news/121015/Afcon_2013_finalists_complete
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