NELSPRUIT, South Africa, Jan 25 (Reuters) – Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene netted a late penalty after Nigeria missed one against him in the first half to rescue the defending champions from defeat at the African Nations Cup on Friday.

The 1-1 draw at the Mbombela Stadium between the two heavyweights in Group C leaves both teams perilously placed without a win but still with a chance to grab a quarter-final place early next week.

PORT ELIZABETH, Jan 25 (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo coach Claude Le Roy was left to rue his decision to allow striker Dieumerci Mbokani stay up to receive a personal award the night before the team’s crucial African Nations Cup match against Niger on Thursday.

The striker squandered two clear-cut opportunities in the goalless Group B draw in Port Elizabeth that came as a blow to the Congolese hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters) – Holders Zambia and Nigeria go head-to-head on Friday in the first heavyweight clash of the African Nations Cup as they seek to break the stalemate in Group C.

The match represents not only a chance for points in the battle for quarter-final places but also affirmation of both sides’ potential.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Jan 25 (Reuters) – Holders Zambia and Nigeria go head-to-head on Friday in the first heavyweight clash of the African Nations Cup as they seek to break the stalemate in Group C.

The match represents not only a chance for points in the battle for quarter-final places but also affirmation of both sides’ potential.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Niger goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly earned redemption for himself and a first ever point for his country with two vital saves to force a goalless draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Nations Cup on Thursday.

Kassaly twice denied Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani to make up for an error strewn performance in his country’s 1-0 defeat by Mali in their opening Group C match on Sunday.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Mubarak Wakaso scored a first-half penalty as Ghana took a big stride towards the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup when they beat Mali 1-0 on Thursday.

The 22-year-old converted the 38th minute kick to take Ghana above Mali in the Group B standings with four points from their opening two matches with a final group game against Niger to come in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

DURBAN (Reuters) – Cape Verde Islands are much more than just a fairytale story at the African Nations Cup and have the potentials to regularly compete in top continental events, coach Lucio Antunes has said.

“My team is not as weak as you guys think,” the coach told reporters as he basked in the glory of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with former champions Morocco in Durban.

DURBAN, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Cape Verde Islands are much more than just a fairytale story at the African Nations Cup and have the potentials to regularly compete in top continental events, coach Lucio Antunes has said.

“My team is not as weak as you guys think,” the coach told reporters as he basked in the glory of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with former champions Morocco in Durban.

DURBAN, South Africa, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Ghana’s hopes at the African Nations Cup finals could be in severe peril if they fail to get a result against Mali in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Ghana, who squandered a two-goal lead against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match, face a Mali side that top Group B after beating Niger 1-0 on Sunday.

DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) – Substitute Youssef El Arabi spared Morocco’s blushes with a late equaliser to deny the Cape Verde Islands one of the biggest upsets of the African Nations Cup when the two sides drew 1-1 on Wednesday.

The Cape Verdians took a shock but deserved lead in the 36th minute through Platini only for Morocco to score in the last 12 minutes.