Report - Africa Cup of Nations - 
Article published the Monday 06 February 2012 - Latest update : Monday 06 February 2012

CAN - Crowds shun top quarter-final action

Tunisia's Aymen Abdennour reacts during their quarter-final match against Ghana at Franceville stadium, 5 February, 2012
Reuters/Louafi Larbi

By Paul Myers

Five things we learned from Sunday’s quarter finals.

  • The organisers of the competition have to find a solution whereby the continent’s showpiece event can project appeal. The quarter final between Ghana and Tunisia in Franceville was poorly attended. A stadium which can hold 20,000 people was barely a quarter full for one of the most compelling matches of the tournament.
  • That fit, top class professionals can make the same mistakes as paunchy players on public parks. Tunisia keeper, Aymen Mathlouthi, made a string of fine saves to keep his side in the game against Ghana . But a harmless cross from the right was fumbled and – unluckily for him – into the path of André Ayew who slid the ball into the net.
  • You’ve got to hit the target. When Gabon were 1-0 up and in a rampant phase in the second half, Daniel Cousin had a chance to make it 2-0. His scuffed shot grazed the post and the rest – as they say – is elimination on penalties.
    Dossier: Africa Cup of Nations 2012
  • Gabon are over reliant on Daniel Cousin. Once the self-styled big brother of the team left the field in the second half, the Panthers seemed to lose their claws.
  • Not to use the nicknames of the national football teams. It almost becomes de rigueur to follow the image the sobriquet evokes. It’s too much excitement for my analogous zone.
tags: Africa Cup of Nations 2012 - CAN Blog 2012 - Football - Gabon - Ghana - Report - Sport - Tunisia
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