South Africa shut out

Cameroon, Senegal win Nations Cup openers

Lamine Diatta netted the winner for Senegal. Shaun Botterill/Allsport

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) -- Cameroon began its title defense at the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Congo (Zaire) on Sunday thanks to a breathtaking goal from Patrick Mboma, while up-and-coming Senegal defeated Egypt by the same score.

In the other first-round game Sunday, South Africa made an unimpressive debut against underdog Burkina Faso, drawing 0-0.

Playing east of the capital Bamako in Sikasso, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions displayed the pace and power that earned them Olympic gold in Sydney and makes them the strongest African squad headed to the World Cup.

Parma striker Mboma sealed the Group C match when he volleyed the ball in sideways from well outside the area. The rear of the net billowed out after the shot ripped past goalkeeper Paulin Tokala.

Cameroon is hoping to capture a record-tying fourth continental crown and at least equal its 1990 achievement of reaching the World Cup quarterfinals.

Its squad is packed with European-based professionals, including Arsenal's Lauren and Mallorca's Samuel Eto'o. It is coached by German Winfried Schafer.

Also hoping to cause a stir in Japan and South Korea is Senegal, which will play defending champion France in the May 31 opener in Seoul.

In Bamako's Modibo Keita stadium, the young and almost entirely French-based squad confirmed it is one of Africa's most promising sides by beating former powerhouse Egypt.

Rennes defender Lamine Diatta netted the winner late in the second half after Egyptian goalkeeper Essam el-Hadary punched out a Senegalese attempt. Diatta headed the ball straight back in.

Star striker El Hadji Diouf nearly made it 2-0 moments later after breaking through the Egyptian defense and charging down from midfield. With only el-Hadary to beat, he dithered and the goalie closed the striker's angle before blocking his attempt.

Diouf was unflustered by his miss.

"I know what I'm worth," said the 21-year-old, who scored eight goals for Senegal in World Cup qualifying. "I will score on harder opportunities than that.

"We are the team to beat," he said. "Whether it's 1-0, 2-0, or 4-2, the important thing is to win."

The Lions have never gotten past the semifinals in the African Cup and will be playing in the World Cup for the first time ever.

They are drawn in one of the toughest groups in Mali, as it is the only one to feature two World Cup teams - Senegal and Tunisia. The fourth team is Zambia.

The top two sides from each of the four first-round groups go through to the knockout quarterfinal stage.

In Group B, 1996 champion South Africa inspired little confidence ahead of its World Cup campaign as it drew 0-0 against Burkina Faso in Segou, northeast of Bamako.

FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy missed a beautiful opportunity for Bafana Bafana early in the second half. Unmarked, he collected a precise pass across the area from Delron Buckley but tapped the ball just wide of the Burkina Faso goal.

South African goalkeeper Hans Vonk had a lucky escape in the 69th minute when a diving header from Moumouni Dagano scraped past the far post. Vonk was at the opposite end of the goal.

His teammates then had an extraordinary series of misses, firing three shots from close range just seconds apart. Goalkeeper Mohamed Kabore saved once and Mamadou Tall blocked twice.

Burkina Faso is the underdog in its group and changed coach only a week before the start of Mali 2002. Argentine Oscar Fullone was replaced by his assistant trainer, Jacques Yameogo.

All three matches on Sunday were well attended, raising hopes that this year's African Cup will prove a bigger crowd-puller than previous editions.

In Monday's first-round games, Nigeria's Super Eagles play Algeria and Tunisia takes on Zambia while Morocco faces four-time former champion Ghana.

Liberians playing for pride, not cash

BAMAKO -- Liberia's footballers say they have still not been paid promised appearance fees for the African Nations Cup finals but have decided to put the money issue behind them.

"We haven't been paid yet but we don't care about the money," said midfielder Kelvin Sebwe after the country's 1-1 draw with Mali in the opening match of the tournament in Bamako on Saturday.

"We've decided to forget all about it and get on with playing the Nations Cup. We want to do well for our country," Sebwe added.

The West African team went on strike on Tuesday at their training camp in Ivory Coast, demanding an appearance of US$15,000 each. The Liberian football association had offered to pay $6500 to each of the 22 squad members.

The players left technical director George Weah on his own at the training ground while they haggled with officials, however they returned to training on Wednesday and flew to Mali the same evening.

Liberia came within three minutes of winning Saturday's group A match with the hosts in front of an over-flowing 60,000-seater stadium but conceded a late equalizer.

It is only the second time that Liberia are competing in the finals. Their next match is against Algeria in Bamako on Friday.

 

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