2019 africa cup of nations
Stuart Baxter quits as Bafana Bafana head coach
Stuart Baxter has resigned as the head coach of Bafana Bafana.
Algeria beat Senegal 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium on Friday night to secure the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title.
Senegal, the 2002 runners-up, are desperate to end a long wait for a first continental title, while Algeria are looking to add to the trophy they lifted as hosts 29 years ago.
John Obi Mikel captained the Super Eagles to a bronze medal finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
Victor Gomes who has been appointed to officiate the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final between Algeria and Senegal on Friday.
Coming off his most prolific Premier League season, finishing in a three-way tie for the golden boot with 22 goals, and a European crown in June, Mane is the face of a new, successful generation and deserves recognition in the battle for the revered Ballon d'Or.
Algeria led through a first-half own goal by William Troost-Ekong before Nigeria equalised with an Odion Ighalo penalty on 72 minutes awarded after a VAR review.
Madagascar coach Nicolas Dupuis, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the competition, admitted Tunisia were simply too strong.
According to coach Nicolas Dupuis, a number of players, such as Abel and Ibrahim Amada, had given on up the national side because “they did not think it was taken seriously”.
Bafana Bafana stunned the hosts Egypt in the last 16 but were eliminated four days later in Cairo after William Troost-Ekong bundled in a late winner for three-time champions Nigeria.
Under Stuart Baxter, South Africa normally play with a counter-attacking style but surprised Egypt on Saturday by diverting from that slightly and deploying an aggressive high press.
Stuart Baxter's days as South Africa coach appeared numbered after a limp group stage display left Bafana Bafana up against Africa Cup of Nations hosts Egypt, but a famous defeat of the title favourites has quietened his mounting detractors.
Crystal Palace winger Zaha ensured the Ivorians remained unbeaten against Mali at the tournament as he squeezed home on 76 minutes to book a quarterfinal showdown with Algeria.
The Pharaohs were billed as chief title contenders on home soil, having won three of four previous editions as hosts, but crashed out on Saturday following a shock 1-0 loss to South Africa.
Former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini said Bafana Bafana have to apply themselves in the whole 90 minutes to win their Afcon game against Egypt on Saturday.
Angola losing meant South Africa sneaked into the knockout phase, joining Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin as the best four third-place teams.
The qualification of Senegal raised to 12 the number of teams who have secured places in the second round, which kicks off Friday.
Bafana Bafana's hope of reaching the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations is out of their hands, after losing 1-0 to Morocco on Monday.
Although Morocco won by only one-goal margins against Namibia and the Ivory Coast, they have exhibited class and appear to be keeping plenty in reserve for the knockout phase.