Morocco depleted

Mali anxious as Nations Cup group stage closes

BAMAKO (Reuters) -- Host nation Mali are on tenterhooks at the African Nations Cup as their team face Algeria on Monday in the last of their group matches in the opening round of the three-week tournament.

Victory would ensure progress for the Malians into the quarterfinals, while a draw could still be enough for them to qualify.

But that rests on favorites Nigeria beating Liberia in the other group match, which will be played in the northern town of Mopti.

Both games will be played at the same time on Monday afternoon with Bamako's March 26 stadium again expected to be packed to its 50,000 capacity for Mali's match.

The hosts drew their opening two matches, equalizing just three minutes from time against Liberia on January 19 and then impressing in a scoreless tie against Nigeria last week.

But Algeria will present strong opposition, particularly after they salvaged their continued participation in a dramatic draw with Liberia in Bamako on Friday.

Algeria were just 30 seconds from suffering a second successive defeat and being eliminated when a speculative drive from midfielder Nasredddine Kraouche handed them a last-gasp 2-2 draw.

The result left Liberia and Mali tied after two draws, one point ahead of the Algerians. Nigeria are the only side to have posted a victory in group A, albeit with a good deal of fortune against Algeria last weekend.

Now the Algerians plan another dramatic comeback, according to coach Rabah Madjer.

"Obviously we have been uplifted by the way we played against Liberia and are motivated to win against Mali. A victory will be the only way for us to ensure we continue at the tournament," said the former African Footballer of the Year.

Goal hero Kraouche, from the Belgian club Ghent, misses the game through suspension and strikers Abdelhafid Tasfaout and Rafik Saifi have knee injuries which make them doubtful for the game.

Officials said on Sunday that Montpellier midfielder Omar Belbey will play despite the head injury he suffered in Algeria's opening match last week.

Mali have French-based defender Adama Coulibaly sidelined through suspension.

Mouth-watering rematch

While Mali concentrates its attention on the home team, the rest of the African will be fixed on a mouth-watering rematch between Nigeria and Liberia.

The two sides shared the same World Cup qualifying group last year, with Liberia blowing a healthy lead and allowing the Super Eagles to steal a berth in the finals in South Korea and Japan later this year.

George Weah leads Liberia for possibly the last time after announcing he was to severe ties with his country's team at the end of the tournament.

Defeat would end Liberia's interest and bring the curtain down on a charismatic career for Weah, the only African to have won the World Footballer of the Year award.

Liberia have already been dealt a blow, with key defender Zizi Roberts being suspended after a second yellow card received on Friday.

Both sides traveled to Mopti on Sunday for first match of the tournament at the most northerly venue of the six being used at the competition.

Amzine injury further depletes Morocco

SEGOU, Mali -- A back injury has ruled Moroccan defender Gharib Amzine out of the rest of the African Nations Cup and left the north Africans with just 20 players for the rest of the tournament, officials said on Sunday.

"He suffered an injury to his vertebrae. It doesn't look good," said coach Humberto Coelho after Amzine had left for the capital Bamako for treatment.

The French-base fullback collapsed unchallenged while running with the ball during the first half of Saturday's 2-1 win for Morocco over Burkina Faso in Segou.

Officials said Amzine was unlikely to return. Morocco had already sent central defender Abdelsslam Ouaddou home before the start of the tournament after an alleged altercation with a team mate.

Morocco, who lead the standings in group B, meet South Africa in their last group game in Segou on Wednesday.

Amzine is one of three players from French first division club Troyes at the finals.

 

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