So Day 5 of the ACN saw Group A sides play their second games of the tournament. By the end of the day someone had fallen by the wayside who I wouldn't have expected.
The first game of the day saw Zambia and Libya play a 2-2 draw. However in my opinion, both sides were the winners. The game was delayed by horrendous rain which meant the kick off was put back by an hour and fifteen minutes and the game was played on a very heavy pitch. Libya took the lead after a few minutes with a goal from Ahmed Saad Osman and a brilliant pass to him. The lead lasted till just past midway through the first half when Zambia pulled one back through Emmanuel Mayuka who smashed in a sublime volley. Half time came and saw both sides level.
The second half saw a goal in under 3 minutes, Ahmed Saad Osman grabbed his second for Libya, 5 minutes later it was all square as Zambia pulled level through Christopher Katongo. Thats how it remained. A fantastic effort by both sides in awful conditions. How would the next game cope on this pitch? Could Senegal overcome these conditions and get their tournament back on track?!
'The National Lightning'- Equatorial Guinea's suitable nickname - now knew if they beat Senegal they would knock the favourites out and put themselves into the Quarter Finals, simple! The first half ended 0-0 and it was all Senegal. 62 minutes came and the host nation went ape as a gorgeous cross was headed home by Randy to send the home fans mental. Senegal were now in panic as they had to get a positive result to stay in this tournament and in the 89th minute it came, Moussa Sow grabbing an equaliser with a volley from a few yards out. Senegal then went into "Hail Mary" mode and threw everything into attack.
Then their world collapsed. Equatorial Guinea's Kily sent the hosts into the quarter finals with a 25 yard wonder strike that sent the favourites out and one of the co-hosts into dreamland. As I type this I am still in shock as this result as I would never have expected this to happen!
Could Day 6 have any shocks? Unfortunately not. Sudan and Angola played out a thrilling 2-2 draw which saw Sudan get their first ACN point for 36 years. Ivory Coast knocked out Burinka Faso with a 2-0 win. The second goal was a peach of an og from 'Faso's Koné who headed into his own net from around the edge of the area. Unimpressive from Coast but now they know one of their rivals are out.
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