SA, Algria split honours

Dr Congo were reduced to 10 men in the second half when defender Kabwe Kasongo was sent off for dangerous play.

South Africa, or Bafana Bafana (the boys), topped the standings with seven points and will play co-hosts Ghana in Kumasi on Sunday while Algeria travel South for a clash with Cameroon in Accra the same day.

Shaun Bartlett put the South Africans ahead in the first minute on a hot, humid afternoon and Faouzi Moussouni equalised after 52 minutes for the desert warriors.

Quinton fortune set up the dream start with a throw in Todumisa Ngobe, whose cross found Bartlett at the far post and he pushed the ball in off goalkeeper Abdesslam Benabdellah.

South Africa, the 1996 champions and 1998 runners-up, dominated the early exchanges as they sought to maintain their 100 per cent record in what is generally regarded as the weakest of the four mini-leagues.

Midfield hard man Eric Tinkler volleyed over before algeria gave the first hint of their attacking potential when giant goalkeeper Hans Vonk stretched his leg to clear a Farid Ghazi cross.

A slow start livened up when South African Helman Mkhalele burst through from the wing and unleashed a hard, low shot that Benabdellah held at the foot of the post.

Algeria came close midway through half when Vonk Spilleda Moussa Saib’s drive just managed to push the ball away from the in rushing Bilal Dziri, who fell over the goalkeeper.

Slow-reacting South Africa were almost caught napping when a short corner found Ghazi unmarked and his snap shot hit the side netting, prompting Vonk once again to scream at his lethargic defenders.

It was one-way traffic as half-time approached with Algeria forcing four consecutive corners before Thabo Mngomeni headed clear and Saib outpaced Pierre Issa only to fired over when he should at least have found the target.

Algeria deservedly levelled seven minutes into the second half when Saib’s pass found Moussouni unmarked inside the penalty area and he easily beat Mark Fish before blasting the ball past Vonk off the foot of Radebe.

South Africa had a scare when their defence was opened again with alarming ease and Radebe had to clear off the line after Saib pushed the ball past the advancing Vonk from an acute angle.

As the second half meandered along before a small crowd at the 50,000-seat Asokwa Stadium in the central Ghanaian city, the teams seemed more interested in not losing than winning.

Those who paid to watch must have felt cheated as the top-of-the-table clash entered the closing stages with the teams showed little interest in seeking a winner and retreated in numbers at the slightest hint of trouble.