Senegal, Zambia into Semi Finals

Senegal and Zambia have qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing maiden edition of the African Nation Championship (CHAN) after stalemate in their final Group A matches on Saturday.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal was held to a barren draw by hosts Cote D’Ivoire at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan whilst Zambia played to a one all draw with Tanzania in the Northern Ivorian city of Bouaké.

The result ensured the Chipolopolos of Zambia finished as group winners on five points, same as Senegal but on superior goals.
Tanzania follow in that order on four points with hosts Cote D’Ivoire pegged at the bottom with a point.

For the hosts, they continued with their disappointing output at the performance as they exited without scoring a goal.

In their final game against Senegal, the Elephants came close to breaking the goal scoring jinx, but the post denied Diomande Aboubacar’s effort in the 75 minute.

Earlier in the first half of the game characterized by midfield action, Senegal midfielder Badiane Vito was unlucky to see his goalbound shot ricochet of the post.

It was an improved performance from the hosts, who for the first time in the competition made clear their intentions of scoring with several raids into the half of the Senegalese.
Knowing very well a draw will take them through; the Senegalese never rested on their oars and matched the host squarely.

However, their plan was to prevent the Ivorians from scoring, which they succeeded to claim a ticket for the medal zone.

The Teranga Lions will face the winner of Group A in next Wednesday’s semi-final at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Zambia on the other will face the second placed team from Group B in the other semi-final clash in Abidjan.

Qoutes
Georges Kouadio (Coach, Cote D’Ivoire)
“I apologized to all Ivorians for the disappointing performance of my team at the tournament. For today, we did our best but we lacked a potent striker who could bury the chances.
“Lack of strikers is a general problem in this country, because the best players always leave for Europe and other parts of Africa very early.

Joseph Koto (Coach, Senegal)
“Our target was the semi-final and we have achieved that. My team’s problem is playing on the offensive.
“I tried to change the tactics in the second half, but the goals never came.”

Courtesy: Cafonline.com ( visit for more info )