By David Gold
December 6 – A late, late header from Bordeaux’s Andre Biyogho Poko was enough to give Gabon a shock 1-0 win over Senegal and a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, making them the first African nation to qualify.
The two countries met in the semi-finals of the African qualifying competition in Tangiers, Morocco, with Gabon looking to continue a remarkable run over the last week.
Having lost their opening game to Egypt, Gabon were heading out of the tournament when trailing to South Africa in their second group match, but a late equaliser kept them in the hunt.
Despite then playing with 10 men after a red card in their final group game with the Ivory Coast, Gabon remarkably managed to win 3-1.
Senegal had a more straightforward passage to this point, though they too lost their opening game, to Algeria.
A surprise win over Nigeria was then followed up by victory against the hosts in the final group game to send them through to the semi-final.
In the semi-final, knowing a win would be enough to reach London, Gabon felt unfortunate not to go in front early on when Romuald Ntsitsigui had a goal disallowed.
Senegal had the best chances to win the game, with Kara Mbodj firing over when it appeared easier to score in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, and then Dame Diop coming close to breaking the deadlock in extra time.
Senegal felt aggrieved to have a goal of their own disallowed with less than 10 minutes left, and Gabon took advantage to net in the last minute and take their place in London next year.
The other semi-final between Egypt and hosts Morocco takes place in Marrakech tomorrow, with the winner joining Gabon at the Olympics.
For Senegal though, they still have two more chances to qualify for London 2012.
If they win the third place play off with the loser of tomorrow’s game, they will qualify, and if they lose, they will play in Coventry in April against an Asian side for a final chance to make it to next year’s tournament.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734901836labto1734901836ofdlr1734901836owedi1734901836sni@d1734901836log.d1734901836ivad1734901836
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