OWN CORRESPONDENT, Accra | Tuesday 8.30am.
GOALKEEPER Alain Gouamene created history and saved former African Nations Cup winners Cote d’Ivoire from a humiliating defeat on Monday on the third day of the 2000 finals.
Gouamene, penalty shootout hero of the 1992 cup-winning team, became the first footballer to play in seven editions of the biennial African showcase that began 43 years ago in Sudan.
But the reserve at French second division club Toulouse could not prevent Group A outsiders Togo from forcing a 1-1 draw in Accra that left the countries level with co-hosts Ghana and Cameroon on the standings.
Fallen giants Algeria were the superior team in a 0-0 draw with 1998 bronze medalists the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group B clash in the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.
South Africa top the pool after a 3-1 triumph over Gabon at the weekend and another success on Thursday against the Congolese would clinch a quarter-finals place for Bafana Bafana.
Gouamene was a virtual spectator for most of the first half as Cote d’Ivoire toyed with the Togolese and should have been ahead long before Tchiressoua Guel converted a 37th-minute penalty.
The goal shook lethargic Togo and Gouamene made superb saves from Tadjou Salou, Komlan Assignon and Abdelkader Coubadja before Koffi Fiawoo headed into the net only to be penalised for fouling the Ivorian goalkeeper.
Veteran German coach Gottlieb Goller, sensing the Ivorians were vulnerable under pressure, introduced two additional strikers at half-time and the gamble paid off after 61 minutes when Lantame Ouadja scored off a far-post shot.
Togo return to the National Stadium on Thursday for a showdown with Ghana, who were fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw against weak-finishing Cameroon at the weekend.
Civil wars have hit the preparations of Algeria and DR Congo and the match rarely rose above the pedestrian with the North Africans unable to translate greater possession into goals.
A series of daring dashes off his line by diminutive goalkeeper Nkueni Mayala and timely tackles from captain Kabwe Kasongo and Esele Bakasu foiled the Desert Warriors.
The cup focus switches to Nigeria on Tuesday with Group C outsiders Burkina Faso and Senegal clashing in the northern city of Kano and one of the title favourites, Morocco, playing Congo in Group D in Lagos. — AFP