African Sports Monthly January 2013 Issue | Page 17

No doubt the surprises and shocks from the Equatorial Guinea and Gabon tournament did have a spillover effect in the qualifiers as the Cape Verde Islands added to
the surprise list by reaching the tournament with a dramatic show as they eliminated
the almighty Cameroon side 3-2 on aggregate leaving the Cameroonians to deal with
another no show at the AFCON showpiece for the second time consecutively.
One time AFCON champions, Ethiopia finally made a return to the tournament after a
30-year absence as the Black Lions confirmed their place thanks to the away goals
rule after a 6-6 aggregate draw with Sudan despite losing the first leg 5-3, the Ethiopians qualified following their 3-1 last gap winner at home.
Another upset was caused by Niger whose late gap winner causes an upset for
Guinea as they squeeze through on aggregate. The 2012 co- host Gabon also missed
out after they suffered defeat at the hands of a resurgent Emmanuel Adebayor Togo
side.
The qualifiers were very combative and tough and the likes of Nigeria who missed out
in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea did make a return