Panthers Earn Crucial Draw

January 17th, 2010 | by: Matt | Comments Off

Gabon 0 Tunisia 0

Gabon continued their tremendous run of form at the 2010 African Nations Cup, securing a 0-0 draw with group heavyweight Tunisia. This gives them four points from two matches, and leaves them top of the group with Cameroon to play Zambia later today.

Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, with Tunisia dominating for long stretches of play, but the Azingo Nationale kept them at bay. The best chance of the match came to Tunisia’s Amine Chermiti when he pounced on a short backpass, rounded the Panther’s keeper, but inexplicably rushed his shot, totally whiffing, and allowing Gabon to clear.

With this result, Gabon will now want Zambia and Cameroon to draw, which would leave them on four points, Tunisia and Zambia on two apiece, and Cameroon with one. Then as long as they do not lose their final match to Zambia, they will most likely be through as group winners. Another scenario, however unlikely, would be Zambia beating Cameroon, in which case Gabon and Zambia could stroll to a draw in their final match, likely eliminating Tunisia and Cameroon regardless of the result in that match. I’m not implying they would ever do such a thing, but we’ve seen it before at major tournaments.

So a phenomenal position to be in for a team which was predicated by many to finish third at best in a tough group.