Tunisia 0-0 Angola

Senegal 1-1 South Africa

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

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By David Ornstein

1900: Did you enjoy that? I certainly did. Now the sparring is over, it's time to see a few knockout blows landed. There's no live coverage tomorrow or on Saturday but we'll be back on Sunday with Ghana v Nigeria from Accra at 1700 GMT and then Ivory Coast v Guinea from Sekondi at 2030 GMT.

Ciao for now!

1859: The quarter-finals line-up is complete. Tunisia win Group B and they will remain in Tamale where they face Cameroon at 2030 GMT on Monday. Angola came second, reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, and they play reigning champions Egypt in Kumasi at 1750 GMT on Monday.

South Africa, who showed signs of improvement, now have their work cut out to pull themselves into 2010 World Cup contenders. Senegal have an abundance of talent but rarely was it seen in Ghana and they head home with their heads hanging, especially after the nightclub incident reported at 1759. Is this the end for Diouf, Diop, Camara and co?

1854: FULL TIME in Kumasi - Senegal 1-1 South Africa.

1851: FULL TIME in Tamale - it's all over for Senegal and South Africa in Kumasi regardless of how their score finishes because Tunisia and Angola have drawn 0-0.

Siphiwe Tshabalala hits the post with a cross for South Africa...not that it matters any more.

1848: A whopping SEVEN minutes of stoppage time has been added on in Kumasi, just the three in Tamale.

In Kumasi there was an injury to South Africa goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs that held up player for quite some time. By the way Flavio just wasted a great chance to win it for Angola.

1845: "How come there are no teams with tortoise names like: Smart Tortoise, or Witted Tortoise. Because, in many African stories tortoises are very smart."
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1842: The team nickname debate is raging on 606. Either the football or my live updates are of a dreadful standard because you guys really are getting engrossed in animal talk.

1840:BBC World Service's Nick Cavell in Tamale has asked someone to wake him up when Tunisia-Angola ends in a 0-0 draw. Any takers?

1839: "Diouf is a shameless idiot, an embarrassment to African football."
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1835: "If Tunisia and Angola end 0-0, who wins the group? I think they both have +2 GD. I know fair play is the next criterion. Anyone knows the score on that between them?"
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Well, darkanddom, the next criterion is goals scored rather than fair play so Tunisia would go through as group winners. They've scored five goals to Angola's four. Sorted?

1833:Qualification update: About 15 minutes left in both games. If things remain as they are Tunisia and Angola (who have never before qualified for the knockout stages) are heading through at the expense of Senegal and South Africa.

1830:BBC World Service's Nick Cavell in Tamale tells me the stadium announcer has given up pronouncing the Senegal and South Africa substitutes' names and reverted to just calling their numbers out.

It's not that hard is it? Do your homework mate.

1828: (see 1809) "Senegal Sealions isn't bad is it? it keeps the 'lion' theme as well."
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1825: Sibusiso Zuma has a great chance to give South Africa the lead when a defensive mistake leads to a clear shot in the area but Senegal's Bouna Coundoul pulls off a remarkable save.

Group D is far from over, let me tell you!

1823: "Diouf's omission from the Senegal team isn't good news for Reading fans - He'll be lining up for Bolton this sat."
Lee in England, via text on +4477862022008

For those of you who haven't got an English Premier League fixture list in front of you, Reading host Bolton Wanderers at 1500 GMT on Saturday.

1818: South Africa's Siphiwe Tshabalala fires wide after another dangerous move down the left. Bafana Bafana are looking pretty good, arguable for the first time all tournament.

1817: Tunisia's Issam Jomaa is stretchered off with what looked like a twisted ankle shortly after Maurito crashed a 20-yard shot straight at keeper Lama.

1812: "South Africa are good but inexperienced. This team will cause trouble in two years from now."
Anon, via text on +4477862022008

Would you South African's out there agree with that? Carlos Alberto Parreira has to get it right by 2010, when the Nations Cup will be held in Angola and the World Cup in their very own country.

1811: Cameroon, watching from the stands in Tamale, will hardly be quaking in their boots as Tunisia and Angola edge ever closer to a bore draw.

1809: "Question for all Africans: Why do African nations name their team after Eagles and Lions? Don't we have precious wildlife other than the two mentioned above? Has any African nation thought about adding Gorillas to their team name?"
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As is happens the Mole National Park in Tamale houses Ghana's most impressive collection of wildlife, including elephants, antelopes, baboons and 300 species of birds.

I've never been there but friends tell me it is a must if you visit Ghana!

1802: And we're off. The final 45 minutes of football in the group stage of the 26th Africa Cup of Nations is underway.

1800: "Senegal don't deserve to go through to the quarter-finals. The team has been awful throughout the tournament apart from the second half against Tunisia."
Alex, via text on +4477862022008

1759: We hear that El-Hadji Diouf, Tony Sylva and Ousmane Ndoya were all dropped from the Senegal team for being caught in a Kumasi nightclub on Wednesday night. You reaction please...

1755: So we're at the half-way point of the final two games of the group stages but we're none the wiser as to how this group will end up. The obvious prediction is Tunisia and Angola to go through as group winners and runners-up respectively, but anything could happen between now and 1845 GMT.

1752: It seems to me a lot of you out there feel Tunisia and Angola are playing for a draw.

BBC World Service's Nick Cavell in Tamale says there have been plenty of attacking chances but that you can't help but feel the teams aren't giving it everything.

1750:"Can anyone see a draw between Tunisia and Angola? They seem to be playing for a draw.

"I am rooting for Angola as I think Angola/Cameroon and Tunisia/Egypt will be cracking matches!!!!!"
darkandom on 606

1748: "Tunisia are going beat Angola, I think North African teams are the only hope four Africa to do well at the 2010 World Cup."
Anon, via text on +4477862022008

1746:HALF TIME in both matches.

1745: Minutes are remaining in the first half Tunisia's Kamel Zaiem strikes a 30-yard thunderbolt that forces Lama to acrobatically parry before Amine Chermiti can capitalise.

1742:Qualification update: We're still looking at the Tamale two, Tunisia and Angola, jumping into the quarter-finals. There must be a winner from the game in Kumasi to stop one of Tunisia and Angola going through.

The group winners will play Cameroon in Tamale at 2030 GMT on Monday. The runners-up play reigning champs Egypt in Kumasi at 1700 GMT on Monday.

1737:GOAL Senegal 1-1 South Africa
"It's all gone quiet in Kumasi," I said to my colleague. Oh no it hasn't...Senegal's Henri Camara slots home after South Africa's Aaron Mokoena makes a hash of a flighted through ball.

1736: Ze Kalanga is put through by Rui Marques. He twists, he turns...only to be foiled by Hamdi Kasraoui between the sticks for Tunisia.

1733: "Go Angola, go Manucho. We are going to the next stage for sure."
Pul Mart, UK, via text on +4477862022008

1731: For some reason El-Hadji Diouf has not even made the Senegal bench. He must be injured. His team look to be heading out but there's still plenty of time remaining.

1730: "There seems to be equal amounts of noise from both sets of fans despite the difference in numbers. I think a large drum makes up for the lack of Tunisia fans."
BBC World Service's Nick Cavell in Tamale

1727: Qualification update: As things stand Tunisia and Angola are going through, Senegal and South Africa are on their way home.

1726: South Africa's Sibusiso Zuma goes close with a near post shot that is well saved after a run from the halfway line.

1724: "I saw matches last week in Sekondi and Kumasi and the Ghana-Morocco game on Monday in Accra. Ticketing has been a nightmare. No tickets are available through official means, yet loads of seats are empty.

"That said, the atmosphere among the fans, the noise, the music, it was all incredible. And the Ghana celebrations in Accra were unlike anything I've seen back here in England."
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1720: Tunisia miss a big, big chance. Yassine Mikari's free-kick to the back post is met by the head of Amine Chermiti, who evaded his markers and should surely have scored. Two cracking games we have on our hands.

1718: Amine Chermiti of Tunisia drives a shot goalbound and Lama saves well.

"Angola are definitely going to win this match with key men Manucho and Flavio."
Nii in Accra, via text on +4477862022008

1713: GOAL Senegal 0-1 South Africa
Teko Modise crosses from the left and Elrio van Heerden, of Club Brugge in Belgium, meets it on the volley. Where is the marking???

1710: "Angola to win and a brace of goals from Manucho!"
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1706: "Spectator turnout is low like at the Egypt-Zambia game yesterday. The attendance could reach 5,000. It is more lively, though."
BBC World Service's Inas Mazhar in Kumasi

1703: An early booking for Radhi Jaidi. What a clumsy challenge!

1702: West Ham's Henri Camara hits an early effort straight at South Africa keeper Bouna Coundoul.

1700: We're off.

1658: National anthems are over and we are about to get going. All four sets of players are posing for team photographs. Now here's the coin toss.

1656: Armine Chermiti returns from suspension for Tunisia and replaces Sila Dos Santos. Yassine Chikhaoui is also rested.

1653:Senegal make four changes including El-Hadji Diouf on the bench and Bouna Coundoul replaces Tony Sylva in goal.
South Africa make four changes to the side that lost to Tunisia

1651: "The cracking goals have been my highlight so far, and Muntari's thunderbolt on the opening day was a great way to start the tournament."
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1648: And here come the Tamale teams.

Tunisia: Kasraoui, Haggui, Ben Fredj, Zouaghi, Jaidi, Nafti, Zaiem, Mnari, Mikari, Jemaa, Chermiti. Subs: Abdi, Ben Dhifallah, Ben Saada, Chikhaoui, El Bekri, Felhi, Ghezal, Mathlouthi, Meriah, Nefzi, Santos, Traoui.

Angola: Lama, Airosa, Kali, Yamba Asha, Marques, Macanga, Maurito, Gilberto, Ze Kalanga, Mendonca, Manucho. Subs: Dede, Delgado, Edson, Figueiredo, Flavio, Jamba, Loco, Love, Machado, Mario, Mateus, Nuno.

1646: "There are a few hundred Angola fans with trumpets and lots of red and black making a noise. Tunisia only have a handful of supporters but they're trying their best. The Cameroon team are also in attendance to watch."
BBC World Service's Nick Cavell in Tamale

1642: The Kumasi teams are in.

Senegal: Coundoul, Diatta, Diawara, Guirane, Ibrahima Faye, Abdoulaye Faye, N'Doye, Sall, Kamara, Diop, Ba. Subs: Camara, Niang, Beye, Diouf, Gueye, Mendy, Ndiaye, Papa Waigo, Sarr, Sonko, Sougou, Sylva.

South Africa: Josephs, Masilela, Mokoena, Morris, Moon, Modise, Tshabalala, Moriri, Van Heerden, Dikgacoi, Zuma. Subs: Chabangu, Davids, Evans, Fanteni, Fernandez, Fransman, Khune, Mhlongo, Mphela, Nhlapo, Pienaar, Walaza.

1640: "Senegal to go gung ho and rack up the goals in a 5-1 win - fingers crossed there is a winner in the other game for the Lions to go through."
Anon, via text on +4477862022008

1635: Who fancies a bit of background info?

Tunisia have reached two finals in the last six tournaments, winning on home soil in 2004, but on their last appearance in West Africa (Mali 2002) they failed to adapt to the conditions and crashed out without scoring a goal.

Coach Roger Lemerre, who has routinely been booed by Tunisia fans, seems to have equipped his side well on this occasion, though, and a draw will put them in the last eight.

I understand that Premier League side Middlesbrough are looking closely at Yassine Chikhaoui, who players for FC Zurich. One of Boro's backroom staff told me Chikhaoui is being heralded as "the new Zidane".

1628: "I think Angola have a great chance of going through no matter what, because I don't see South Africa beating Senegal!"
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1625: Right, seeing as this is the last day of group action it would be wrong of me not to ask for your highlights from the past 10 days in Ghana.

Was it Angola's surprise turnaround from 1-0 down against Senegal to win 3-1? Ivory Coast scoring eight goals in three matches?

How about Samuel Eto'o breaking the Nations Cup goalscoring record? Which players have impressed you most?

And, for those of you out there, what about scenes on the ground: carnival or catastrophic (Otto Pfister's words, not mine)?

1620: The final two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations are upon us, many thanks for joining me as I guide you through what promises to be a feast of action in Ghana.

Today our focus is on Group D as Tunisia face Angola in Tamale and Senegal meet South Africa in Kumasi.

With all four teams still able to qualify, I predict more twists and turns than a meandering Yassine Chikhaoui burst into opposition territory.

So kick back, relax and, when you get a free moment, why not get involved in the chat by texting +447786 202008 or posting on 606.
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