From DIDIER NDONG in Libreville, Gabon
LIBREVILLE – GABON has joined the unenviable list of Africa Cup of Nations hosts to bow out of the groups stages in the tournament’s 60-year history.
After three draws, they are the first in 23 years to be knocked out that early in the tournament following a tame outing coming to an end with a goalless draw against Central African rivals Cameroon in Libreville on Sunday.
That shoddy campaign saw them join Ethiopia (1976), Ivory Coast (1984) and Tunisia (1994) as the teams that failed to advance from the pool phase.
It could spell doom for coach José Antonio Camacho Alfaro, the Spanish trainer who replaced Portuguese Jorge Costa weeks before the tournament began. Coasta was fired after a string of poor results.
The Gabonese have exited the tournament alongside fellow Group A side, debutantes Guinea-Bissau, who lost 2-0 to Burkina Faso in Franceville.
Uganda were eliminated on Saturdayin Group D.
Burkina Faso finished atop Group A with five points, the same number of points with Cameroon but with a superior goal difference (two).
Gabon were third on three points while Guinea-Bissau finished last with a single point.
Action shifts to Group B where Senegal have already booked their berth in the quarterfinals.
On Monday, the group leaders play (six points) third-placed Algeria (one point) in Libreville.
Second-placed Tunisia (four points) entertain log anchors Zimbabwe, who have a single point, in Franceville.
– Guardian