SENEGAL, SOUTH AFRICA CRASH OUT (Back Page)

Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

The host of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa, and El Hadji Diouf’s Terranga Lions of Senegal crashed out of the Ghana 2008 tournament when they settled for 1-1 draw in their last group match played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
Both teams settled for only two points apiece out of the three matches played in Group D, and subsequently ceded the qualification slots to group winners, Tunisia, and runners-up, Angola.
South Africa scored early, but surrendered the lead before the break as Senegal staged a brave comeback.
Determined to score an early goal to unsettle their opponents, South Africa took control of the game by capturing the midfield where Siphwe Tshabalala, El Rio Heerden Van and Teko Modise operated.
Their efforts yielded dividend when in the 15th minute Teko Modise collected a ball at the left flank, disposed of two markers and sent an intelligent volley for Zuma to connect beautifully with a low grounder into the far corner of the net to give South Africa the lead.
Skipper Diatta Lamine, Abdoulaye Faye, Diayara Souleymane and Faye Ibrahima in defence for Senegal formed a barrier to prevent more goals from their opponents, while Niang Mamadou H, Sall Moustapha Bayal and Pape Bouba Diop, in midfield for Senegal, also neutralised the South Africans dominance, and enabled the attackers to make incursions into the vital area of South Africa.
As the game progressed to the half hour mark, the South Africans gained more confidence and their defenders of Masilela Tsepo, Aaron Mokoena, Nasief Morris and Kagisho Dikgacoi formed a barrier to ward off the Senegal attackers .
Senegal mixed physical play with counter attacks and succeeded in getting the equalizer in the 36th minute when Henri Camara capitalized on a defensive blunder and swept the ball past goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs.
Both teams resumed the second half full of vigour with their attackers pouring into each other’s territory, hoping to increase their tally, but it was Senegal who became more businesslike as they besieged the territory of the Bafana Bafana, pinning their defence to the wall, while the South Africans relied on their speed for operational counter attacks.
But the ding-dong affair that followed remained wasteful as the drab game wore on to a close with the other pair sweepng through from the group to the quarter-finals.
Senegal
5. Diawara Souleymane, 6. Faye Ibrahima, 7. Camara Henri, 8. Niang Mamadou H, 12. Sall Moustapha Bayal, 13. Diatta Lamine (captain), 15. Diomansy Kamara, 19. Pape Bouba Diop, 20. Diagne Abdoulaye Diagne, 22. Malick Papa Ba, 23. Bouna Coundoul (GK).
South Africa
3.Tsepo Masilela, 4. Aaron Mokoena, 5. Nasief Morris, 8. Siphwe Tshabalala, 9. Surprise Moriri, 11. El Rio Heerden Van, 12. Teko Modise, 15. Sibusiso Zuma, 16. Moneeb Josephs, 19, Bryce Moon, 22. Kagisho Dikgacoi,