Gabon and Tunisia advance in dramatic fashion

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 27, 2012, 21:38 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Co-hosts Gabon and Tunisia both advanced to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion as they scored injury time winners.

Tunisia beat first-timers Niger 2-1 in the early match in Libreville's Stade de l'Amitie, while Gabon came from behind and won 3-2 against Morocco with Bruno Zita Mbanangoye scoring a free-kick five minutes into injury time.

Gabon and Tunisia lead group C with six points, while Niger and Morocco have no points.

A capacity crowd were disappointed as the Panthers failed to convert any of the chances they in the first half.

Instead, it was Moroccan captain Houssine Kharjah who ran onto a cross from Younes Belhanda before scoring past Didier Ovono midway through the first half.

Gabon coach Gernot Rohr brought on Daniel Cousin for the second half and the striker immediately made an impact, as the crowd urged the Panthers forward.

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 77th minute as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found an equalizer.

The goal was followed by chaotic scenes as Aubameyang rushed to the stands, where dozens of fans jumped over the railings to go and celebrate with the players.

As orderlies tried in vain to get the situation under control, Aubameyand was buried under a pile of fans and players.

Once the fans had retreated back to the stands, the game continued and Gabon were soon on the attack and just two minutes after leveling matters, Cousin scored to put the hosts ahead.

This time, even more fans rushed onto the field as orderlies struggled to keep them off.

There was more drama to follow though as Morocco were thrown a life-line in the last minute of the game as referee Gassama Bakary pointed to the spot for handball.

Kharja made no mistake to make the score 2-2, but as the referee decided on five minutes of injury time, Gabon had another chance as they were awarded a free-kick in the fifth minute of injury time and substitute Bruno Zita Mbanangoye curled the ball into the back of the net.

As a huge cordon of soldiers and policemen had surrounded the field at stage, the fans stayed behind the railings and did not run onto the pitch.

In the earlier match, Tunisia took an early lead through Youssed Msakni, but allowed Niger back in to the game through William Tonji Ngounou, before Jemaa broke Nigerien hearts with his goal in the 90th minute.

It took just four minutes for the North Africans to get on the score sheet as Msakni, who already scored one of the goals in Tunisia's opening game 2-1 victory against Morocco, went around several defenders en route to the Niger area.

His well-placed side-footed shot gave goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly no chance.

Tunisia then completely dominated the next 20 minutes and should really have added a second against a Niger side that had been changed in five positions after their 2-0 defeat against Gabon.

Their casual approach upfront, however, came back to haunt them as instead of stamping their authority on the game, they allowed Niger back into the match.

In the 38th minute, Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi completely missed a high cross into the area, which allowed William Tonji Ngounou a header over the goalkeeper and into the empty net.

The goal, which was Niger's first on the road during their Africa Cup of Nations campaign - including qualifying - gave the side plenty of confidence and upfront towering Maazou was a constant menace for the Tunisian defenders.

Both sides continued to go forward in the second half and the one-time champions Tunisia came close only to see the ball hit the upright and bounce back into play.

Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi brought on Jemaa for the second half and the Auxerre striker all but guaranteed his side a place in the last eight with a last-gasp winner.

Trabelsi complimented his side and said they played well. 'They never gave up and in the end they got the goal. Our opponents were strong and I am happy that we got the three points,' he said.