South Africa slump to embarrassing Cup exit

SOUTH AFRICA, who will host the 2010 World Cup, exited the African Nations Cup without a point or even a goal to their name following defeat to Zambia yesterday.

Chris Katongo who plays his club football in South Africa with Jomo Cosmos scored the only goal with 15 minutes left.

Like South Africa, Zambia were unable to progress whatever the result but they looked the team more likely to score.

Skipper Elijah Tana headed against the crossbar from Felix Katongo's corner after 11 minutes.

However, the breakthrough did not arrive until the 75th minute. Clive Hachilensa whipped in a cross from the right, Pierre Issa appeared to duck a chance to head clear, and Katongo stretched to prod the ball in from close range.

Guinea claimed top spot in Group C after recording a 3-0 win over defending champions Tunisia.

The two nations had already booked their spots in the next phase of the competition after winning their opening two matches, and both coaches opted to make changes to their starting line-ups for the match.

But it was the new-look Guinea side who gelled much better, dominating throughout to record a deserved victory, thanks to goals from Ousmane Bangoura, Pascal Feindouno and Kaba Diawara.

Tunisia were disappointing and a miserable evening was summed up in the final 10 minutes when Issam Mardassi was sent off for a foul.