The qualifying round for Copa Libertadores group-stage berths continued with two games on Wednesday.
At Porto Alegre, Brazil:
Elano Blumer scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute as Gremio racked up a 1-0 home win over LDU Quito in game two of their two-match series. With each team garnering three points and with the clubs deadlocked on goal differential (0) and away goals (none), the series was decided on the penalty kick shootout. Andre Lima, William Jose da Silva, Para, Eduardo Vargas, and Alex Telles all converted their spot kicks as the Brazilian club won the penalty-kick shootout 5-4 and clinched a spot in Group Eight alongside follow Brazilian club Fluminense, Chile's Hauchipato, and Caracas FC from Venezuela.
At La Paz, Bolivia:
Luis Fabiano (2'), Jadson Rodrigues da Silva (16'), and Osvaldo Ferho (35') each scored a first-half goal as Sao Paulo, despite dropping a 4-3 road decision in game two to Club Bolivar, still won their series on goal differential (+4 to -4) as each club had garnered three points. The Brazilian club will play in Group Three alongside Argentina's Arsenal de Sarandi, The Strongest (Bolivia), and Atletico Mineiro, also from Brazil.
Group-stage play in the African Nations Cup concluded with two Group D contests played in South Africa on Wednesday.
At Rustenberg:
Goals from Didier Drogba (77') and Wilfried Bony (81') enabled Ivory Coast, who already locked up a berth in the quarterfinal round, to come back from a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 draw with Algeria. Sofiane Feghouli (PK-64') and El Arbi Hillel Soudani (70') each delivered a goal for the already-eliminated Foxes.
At Nelspruit:
Serge Gakpe scored in the 13th minute as Togo gained a 1-1 draw with Tunisia and locked up the last remaining available berth in the knockout stage. Khaled Mouelhi converted a penalty kick in the 30th minute for the Eagles of Carthage, who needed a win to advance but instead saw their tournament come to an end.
FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Ivory Coast (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Togo (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Tunisia (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. Algeria (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Ivory Coast and Togo advanced to the quarterfinal round.
Here are the match-ups for this weekend's quarterfinal-round contests:
SATURDAY:
At Durban:
South Africa vs. Mali
At Port Elizabeth:
Ghana vs. Cape Verde Islands
SUNDAY:
At Rustenburg:
Ivory Coast vs. Nigeria
At Nelspruit:
Burkina Faso vs. Togo
The final week of the preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores got under way with two games played on Tuesday.
At Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela:
Ruben Botta (8'), Federico Santander (73'), and Ezequiel Maggiolo (88') each scored a goal as Tigre dominated Deportivo Anzoategui 3-0 on the road in game two of their two-match series and won the set by six points to nil (three points for a win, one for a draw). The Argentinian club will be placed in Group Two alongside Peru's Sporting Cristal, Paraguay's Club Libertad, and Brazil's Palmeiras.
At Iquique, Chile:
Rodrigo Diaz delivered the equalizer with his successful penalty kick in the 58th minute, allowing Deportes Iquique to gain a 1-1 game-two home draw with Leon. With the series deadlocked at two points apiece after two games, each team scoring two goals, one on the road, and with no overtime periods, Mauricio Zenteno, Manuel Villalobos, Sebastian Ereros, and the aforementioned Rodrigo Diaz each converting a spot kick, the hosts won the penalty kick shootout with the Mexican club 4-2 to advance to the group stage, and a spot in Group Four, alongside Argentina's Velez Sarsfield, Uruguay's Penarol, and Ecuador's Club Sport Emelec.
Tuesday saw the conclusion of action from Group C of the African Nations Cup with two games contested on Tuesday in South Africa.
At Nelspruit:
A 0-0 draw between quarterfinal-round-bound Burkino Faso and defending champions Zambia, combined with Nigeria's 2-0 win over Ethiopia, eliminated the Copper Bullets from the tournament, ending their one-year reign as champions of Africa.
At Rustenburg:
Two successful penalty kicks from Victor Moses (80', 90'), carried Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Ethiopia as the Super Eagles advanced to the quarterfinal round.
FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Burkina Faso (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 5)
2. Nigeria (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
3. Zambia (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Ethiopia (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
Burkina Faso and Nigeria advanced to the quarterfinal round.
Monday marked the conclusion of Group B play in the African Nations Cup, taking place in South Africa.
At Port Elizabeth:
Asamoah Gyan (6'), Christian Atsu Twasam (23') and John Boye (49') each scored a goal as Ghana dominated Niger 3-0 to win Group B and advance to the quarterfinal round.
At Durban:
Mamadou Samassa's equalizer in the 14th minute lifted Mali to a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo----and a berth in the quarterfinal round.
FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Ghana (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Mali (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. Congo (Kinshasa) (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Niger (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
Ghana and Mali advanced to the quarterfinal round.
The final cycle of matches from the group stage of the African Nations Cup commenced on Sunday with two games in Group A played in South Africa.
At Durban:
May Mahlangu (71') and Siyabonga Sangweni (86') provided the scoring that lifted South Africa to a 2-2 draw with Morocco, clinching a berth in the quarterfinal round for the host nation.
At Port Elizabeth:
Fernando Varela (81') and Heldon Ramos (90'+1) provided the scoring as the Cape Verde Islands came from the behind to top Angola 2-1 and lock up a berth in the quarterfinal round.
FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. South Africa (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
2. Cape Verde Islands (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Morocco (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Angola (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
South Africa and the Cape Verde Islands advanced to the quarterfinal round.
The second round of group-stage matches in the African Nations Cup concluded with two games from Group D, played on Saturday at Rustenburg, South Africa.
In the opener, Gervinho (21'), Yaya Toure (87'), and Didier Ya Konan (90') each scored a goal as Ivory Coast dominated Tunisia 3-0 and became the first country to lock up a berth in the quarterfinal round.
In the nightcap, Emmanuel Adebayor (31') and Dove Wome (90'+3) each provided a goal as Togo eliminated Algeria from the tournament with their 2-0 victory.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. x-Ivory Coast (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Togo (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Tunisia (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. z-Algeria (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
x-Clinched berth in quarterfinal round
z-Eliminated from tournament
Two games in Group C of the African Nations Cup were contested at Nelspruit, South Africa on Friday.
In the opener, Kennedy Mweene's penalty kick in the 85th minute lifted Zambia to a 1-1 draw with Nigeria. Emmanuel Emenike scored for the Super Eagles in the 57th minute.
In the nightcap, Alain Toure scored twice (34', 74') as Burkina Faso, despite finishing with only ten men, dismantled Ethiopia 4-0.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Burkina Faso (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. Zambia (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
3. Nigeria (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Ethiopia (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
The opening week of qualifying for Copa Libertadores group-stage berths concluded with two games contested on Thursday.
At Ibague, Colombia:
Rogerio Leichtweis scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute as Deportes Tolima took the opening game of their two-match series with Peru's Universidad Cesar Vallejo 1-0 at home. The winner will advanced to the group stage and will be placed in Group Six, alongside Colombia's CD Santa Fe, Paraguay's Cerro Porteno, and Peru's Real Garcilaso.
At Montevideo, Uruguay:
The opening match between Defensor Sporting and visiting Club Olimpia of Paraguay ended in a 0-0 stalemate. A place in Group Seven, alongside Venezuela's Deportivo Lara, Chile's Universidad de Chile, and Argentina's Newell's Old Boys, will be awarded to the winner of this two-game series.
Action from Group B in the African Nations Cup continued with two Thursday contests, both taking place at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
In the opener, Wakaso Mubarak scored the only goal of the match on his successful penalty kick in the 38th minute as Ghana moved to the top of Group B with their 1-0 win over Mali.
In the nightcap, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Niger battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Ghana (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Mali (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Congo (Kinshasa) (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Niger (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
Two more two-game series commenced as the qualifying round for Copa Libertadores group-stage berths continued on Wednesday.
At Quito, Ecuador:
Carlos Feraud scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute as LDU Quito defeated visiting Gremio (Brazil) 1-0 in the opening match of their two-game series. The winner of this series would wind up in Group Eight, joining Brazil's Fluminense, Chile's Huachipato, and Venezuela's Caracas FC.
At Sao Paulo, Brazil:
Luis Fabiano scored twice in the first half (20', 45') as Sao Paulo demolished visiting Club Bolivar 5-0 in game one of their series. The Brazilian club is 90 minutes away from advancing to the group stage. They would be placed in Group Three alongside Arsenal de Sarandi of Argentina, The Strongest from Bolivia, and fellow Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro.
The second cycle of games from the group stage of the African Nations Cup began with two games on Wednesday, both from Group A, both contested at Durban, South Africa.
In the opener, Siyabonga Sangweni (30') and Lehlohonolo Majoro (62') each scored a goal as South Africa climbed to the top of the Group A standings with their 2-0 blanking of Angola.
In the nightcap, Youssef El-Arabi's 78th-minute equalizer carried Morocco to a 1-1 draw with the Cape Verde Islands. Luis Carlos Almada Soares, known by the nom-de-plume of Platini, scored in the 36th minute for the Blue Sharks.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. South Africa (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Cape Verde Islands (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
3. Morocco (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Angola (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
The qualifying round for group-stage berths in the Copa Libertadores opened with the opening game of two two-match series on Tuesday.
At San Fernando, Argentina:
Leandro Leguizamon scored the winning goal in the 76th minute as Tigre took the opening game of their two-match series with Deportivo Anzoategui 2-1 in come-from-behind fashion. Gabriel Penalba had equalized for the hosts in the 66th minute. Jeremias Caggiano scored for the visiting Venezuelan club in the 38th minute. The winner would advance to the group stage and be placed in Group Two alongside Sporting Cristal of Peru, Club Libertad of Paraguay, and Brazil's Palmeiras.
At Leon de los Aldamas, Mexico:
Nelson Mas equalized in the 88th minute, lifting invitee Leon to a series-opening 1-1 deadlock with visiting Iquique. Rodrigo Diaz scored for the visiting Chilean club in the fourth minute. The winner of this two-game series will advance to the group stage and will be placed in Group Four alongside Argentina's Velez Sarsfield, Uruguay's Penarol, and Ecuador's Club Sport Emelec.
The initial cycle of African Nations Cup group-stage contests concluded on Tuesday with two Group D games played at Rustenburg, South Africa.
In the opener, Gervinho scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Ivory Coast defeated Togo 2-1.
In the nightcap, Youssef Msakni scored the winning goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time (90'+1) as Tunisia defeated Algeria 1-0.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Ivory Coas (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Tunisia (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Togo (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Algeria (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
Two games in the African Nations Cup were played on Monday, both from Group C, both played at Nelspruit, South Africa.
In the opener, Adane Girma scored the equalizer in the 65th minute, lifting Ethiopia to a 1-1 draw with Zambia. Collins Mbesuma scored for the defending champs in first-half stoppage time (45'+3).
In the nightcap, Alain Toure's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+4) carried Burkina Faso to a 1-1 draw with Nigeria, whose tally came courtesy of Emmanuel Emenike in the 23rd minute.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
Burkina Faso (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Ethiopia (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Nigeria (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Zambia (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Group B action from the African Nations Cup commenced on Sunday with two games played at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
In the opener, Tresor Mputu (53') and Dieumerci Mbokani (PK-68') each scored a goal as the Democratic Republic of the Congo came back from two goals down to gain a 2-2 draw with Ghana. Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (40') and Kwadno Asamoah (50') each tallied once for the Black Stars.
In the nightcap, Seydou Keita scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute as Mali defeated Niger 1-0.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Mali (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Congo (Kinshasa) (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Ghana (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Niger (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
Saturday marked the opening day of this year's edition of the African Nations Cup, taking place in South Africa.
Both Saturday contests were played at Johannesburg and took place in Group A.
In the opener, the Cape Verde Islands held host nation South Africa to a 0-0 stalemate.
In the nightcap, Angola and Morocco battled to a 0-0 deadlock.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
Angola (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Cape Verde Islands (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Morocco (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
South Africa (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
It was thought that he wanted to coach in England.
Will this fellow start a turnaround at Molineux, or will he become another Terry Connor?
After losing your team's FA Cup match on the road against a Conference National club (three levels and 59 places below Wolves) today, you deserved to be canned.
