/ 17 January 2008

Warm-up wins for SA, Morocco, Senegal

Morocco, Senegal and South Africa completed their African Cup of Nations preparations with 2-1 victories in friendly matches on Wednesday.

South Africa needed a late goal from striker Sibusiso Zuma to squeeze past Botswana in Durban but home captain Aaron Mokoena was carried off on a stretcher after a bad 63rd-minute tackle that earned rival skipper Dipsy Selolwane a red card.

Botswana also had Boitumelo Mafoko sent off in the final minute for another two-footed lunge at the end of an ill-tempered game.

Officials said Mokoena was still expected to travel with the squad when they leave on Saturday for the Nations Cup in Ghana.

Morocco came from behind to win in Rabat after Flavio had given Angola a 17th-minute lead.

Hicham Aboucherouane set up an equaliser for Maroune Chamakh on the stroke of halftime before grabbing the winner himself in the 51st minute.

Senegal defeated Benin on neutral ground in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso thanks to a late winner from Metz midfielder Babacar Gueye.

Fielding an experimental side, Senegal led through Frederic Mendy after 13 minutes before Benin levelled on the stroke of halftime through Jonas Oketola.

The tournament begins on Sunday. – Reuters