African Nations Cup Round Up
Tunisiabecame the first side to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a controversial 3-0win over Democratic Republic of Congotoday as debutants Rwanda scored their first point.
Brazilian-born Francileudo dos Santos scored twice and Najeh Braham once to send Tunisia into the last eight against a Congo side who had captain Lomana LuaLua sent off in the first half of the Group A tie at Rades.
Minnows Rwandascored a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time at the end of the group's other game to force a 1-1draw with Guineain Bizerte.
Rwanda, playing in the finals for the first time, also have a chance to qualify for the last eight, but will have to win against the Congolese in their last group game on Sunday and hope Guinea are beaten by Tunisia that same day.
Congo, however, were eliminated after today's defeat, their hopes effectively dashed by the dismal of LuaLua after 38 minutes for kicking out at Tunisian midfielder Joahar Mnari in an off-the ball incident.
The game was stopped for four minutes when LuaLua refused to leave the pitch and the two benches were involved in a brief scuffle, broken up when Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre escorted a distraught LuaLua down the tunnel to the change rooms.
Tunisia's fortunes changed after the introduction of Hatem Trabelsi in the second half with the Ajax Amsterdam right back setting up the first two goals on the overlap.
Congo goalkeeper Papy Lukata spilled his cross in the 55th minute right into the path of dos Santos, who finished easily.
Dos Santos, from French club Sochaux, was at the end of another cross from Trabelsi 11 minutes later but mishit his attempted bicycle kick only for the bouncing ball to fall perfectly for Braham to finish with an easy header.
Dos Santos got the third after a fine through ball from Kaies Ghodhbane three minutes from the end.
In Bizerte, substitute Karim Kamanzi hit a shot through a crowd of defenders in the 93rd minute for Rwanda's dramatic equaliser. Former West Ham and Liverpool striker Aboubacar Titi Camara had put Guinea ahead with a clinically taken goal in the 49th minute, his second in successive games.
Guinea also hit the post twice as they threatened to over-run the East African outsiders.
Despite making history, Rwanda, who had boldly stated earlier that they were aiming for a win, were not happy with the result and Serbian coach Ratomir Djukovic refused to attend the post-match media conference, saying it was badly organised.
Tunisia now have six points from their first two group A matches, ahead of Guinea with four and Rwanda on one. Congo have their first two matches.