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On Monday, the last, so-called "deathly" D group started in the African Nations Cup. Nigeria, one of the favorites, successfully began the tournament by defeating Ghana after a fierce battle, while Senegal had to struggle before overcoming the weakest team in the group, Zimbabwe.
Nigeria 1 - 0 Ghana 85` [1 - 0] Taye Taiwo
The long-awaited meeting between Nigeria and Ghana initially unfolded quite boringly, and it was only in the middle of the first half that the teams started to create dangerous attacks - the Nigerian Taye Taiwo's penalty was saved by the goalkeeper, and soon after Matthew Amoah's shot from distance was slightly off target. In the 39th minute, Nigerian striker Julius Aghahowa missed a good opportunity from about 10 meters out, and at the end of the half, his teammate Wilson Oruma failed to beat the goalkeeper.
At the beginning of the second half, Nigeria further pressured the opponents, and Ghana sometimes struggled to cross the midfield. However, the attempts of Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, and W. Oruma to score against Sammy Adjei's goal were unsuccessful. In the 58th minute, the Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama saved his team by deflecting a shot from Laryea Kingston, and soon after, Ghanian M.Amoah did not manage to hit the goal with a header from a few meters away.
Nevertheless, with only five minutes left until the end of the game, Nigeria snatched victory - a penalty kick was awarded from 28 meters out, Yussuf Ayila made a pass to Marseille defender T.Taiwo, and his powerful strike found the back of the net. Ghana lost and became the third team to qualify for the World Cup that had already experienced failures in the tournament - previously, Angola and Togo had already recognized the opponents' advantage.
Senegal 2 - 0 Zimbabwe 60` [1 - 0] Henry Camara 80` [2 - 0] Issa Ba
In the next day's match, Senegal hoped to crush a Zimbabwe team that had little hope before the tournament, but in the first half, they struggled to break through the opponent's defense. The closest to scoring were Rahmane Barry, who missed an open goal, and El Hadji Diouf, who hit the bar.
However, after an hour of play, following a quick counterattack, Senegal finally broke through - intercepting the ball, R.Barry broke through to the other side of the field and made a great pass to Henry Camara, who outwitted the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the net. Ten minutes later, Zimbabwe's star Benjani Mwaruwari had a great opportunity to level the score, but the forward, facing goalkeeper Tony Sylva from a few meters out, shot over the goal.
Failing to capitalize on the opportunity, Zimbabwe was punished in the 80th minute when H. Camara dribbled past two defenders on the right side of the field, passed the ball to Issa Ba, who had just come on after a substitution, and he did not miss, ultimately securing Senegal's victory.
