The quarterfinals of the African Championship kicked off today (Sunday) with a penalty shootout, when Burkina Faso defeated Gabon and became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals. Nigeria, who were the only perfect in the home leg, lost in Grove 1-0 to Tunisia and were relegated. The two winners will compete for the ticket to the semi-finals in Groa on Saturday.
Nigeria – Tunisia 1: 0
So who now remembers the houses stage? Carthage’s Eagles lost twice and missed three penalties in the sixth house, but against the only team that had a perfect balance with the canals and qualified for the quarterfinals. Eight players were absent from Tunisia’s squad due to Corona and captain Wahbi Hazari only returned to the bench and entered in the 86th minute, but in his absence the film was worn by Yosef Masakni and he also scored the precious winning goal in the 47th minute. This is the fifth consecutive continental championship in which the 31-year-old midfielder finds the net. Alex Iwabi came on in the 59th minute to help the Nigerians equalize, but he was sent off after five minutes and Moses Simon and Omar Sadiq missed towards the end.
Burkina Faso – Gabon 6: 7 on penalties (1: 1 in 120 minutes)
What a drama in Limba. Gabon pulled out a 10-player overtime with Adama Gira’s own goal in extra time, and on penalties got a chance to decide, but three of her kickers missed with nine kicks and Burkina Faso who finished third in 2017 and reached the final in 2013, moves on. Bertrand Traore missed Pendel in the 18th minute, but after 10 minutes took advantage of a bad exit from the goalkeeper and gave Burkina Faso the lead. Aron Bupendza’s goal was disallowed in the 42nd minute and Sydney Obisa was sent off for a second yellow in the 67th minute, but Gabon as mentioned still came back with the own goal – just to experience disappointment in the long duel.