/ 29 February 2000

ANGOLA TROUNCE ZIM IN QUALIFIER

FABRICE ‘Akwa’ Maieco scored a hat-trick as Angola upset the Olympic football ambitions of Zimbabwe with a 4-2 win in Luanda at the weekend. Nigeria snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Uganda in Lagos in another Group A match and the stage is set for a thrilling finish next month with Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Angola battling for first place. Zimbabwe and Nigeria have nine points each after four rounds and plus-three goal differences with the former retaining top spot because they have scored more goals. Angola trail by three points and a home victory over defending champions Nigeria on March 10 will keep them in the hunt for an invitation to Australia during September.