January 29 – Hosts Morocco and surprise package Sudan progressed to the last four of the African Nations Championship. Nigeria and Libya are the other semi-finalists.
The Moroccans knocked out a valiant Namibia in Casablanca. Ayoub El Kaabi and Salaheddine Saidi scored for the hosts. In the last four the hosts will meet Libya, who edged Congo-Brazaville after a penalty shout-out.
Libya were headed by stand-in coach and assistant Serbian Darko Novic who replaced head coach Omar Al-Maryami on the touchline. Al-Maryami’s absence went unexplained. Saleh Taher put the Libyans ahead, but Junior Makiesse equalised for the Congolese. In a nerve-racking penalty shout-out, goalkeeper Barel Mouko, 38, missed the deciding penalty.
On the other side of the draw, Sudan upset Zambia. Just after the half hour mark Maki Bakhit Saifeldin got the only goal of the game to see the Sudanese progress to the semi-finals, where they will meet Nigeria who came from behind their quarterfinal to defeat Angola 2-1.
Anthony Okpotu equalised for the Nigerians in the 92nd minute before Okechukwu Gabriel grabbed a winner in extra-time for Nigeria to progress. The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday with the tournament culminating with the final on Sunday.
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