Monday’s Group B matches pitting Zimbabwe and Tunisia as well as Algeria and Senegal were nothing but a goal-fest as a total of 10 goals from the two games were scored.
Tunisia kept up an impressive recent record of African Nations Cup quarter-final appearances by thumping Zimbabwe 4-2 with a flurry of first-half goals to come second in the group.
Algeria finished third with two points and went out without winning a game after drawing 2-2 with a much-changed Senegal side in Franceville.
Zimbabwe ended bottom with one point.
Tunisia’s Naim Sliti, Youssef Msakni, Yassine Khenessi and Wahbi Khazri, with a penalty, wrapped up the win before the break to send Tunisia through with six points, a point behind Senegal.
Knowledge Musona grabbed one back but a Wahbi Khazri penalty restored Tunisia’s three-goal cushion by the break.
Tendai Ndoro prodded in a Zimbabwe counter, before Khenissi hit the post in a wasteful second half.
Algeria who were the 2004 champions will stay on in Gabon as they wait to play Burkina Faso in Libreville on Saturday.
In a match all they had to do was beat Senegal who had rested 10 players from their first team, they were held to a 2-2 draw.
GROUP B ROUND-UP
🇿🇼2-4🇹🇳
🇸🇳2-2🇩🇿
Senegal and Tunisia book their passage to the #CAN2017 quarter-finals🌍⚽️🏆
📰https://t.co/Y5vlpeKSE8 pic.twitter.com/dfOCLRJRJ1— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 23, 2017
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse had taken the opportunity to rest his first-choice players given the Teranga Lions had already won the group ahead of their final fixture.
Islam Slimani scored both their goals, a two-yard volley and a scuffed effort that wrong-footed Algeria’s goalkeeper.
But Senegal twice equalised, Papakouly Diop and then Moussa Sow both firing in efforts from the edge of the area.
Algeria came into this competition as the favorites but have had underwhelming performances leaving their reputation damaged.
This is definitely a tournament for them to forget.
Senegal, runners-up in 2002, who already qualified as group winners, will play Group A runners-up Cameroon in the last eight.
