14 February 2011
South Africa and Niger booked their place in the African Nations Championship quarterfinals on Sunday when they finished in the top two positions in Group B in Sudan.
The pair, who also share a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification pool, completed wins that see the South Africans top the group, and Niger second.
South Africa will now meet Algeria in the their quarterfinal, while Niger take on hosts Sudan.
While South Africa have been in this position before, it is a case of history made for Niger, who are playing in their first continental championship.
They beat hapless Ghana 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Gambo Tukur, with the home-based Black Stars, who were finalists in 2009, losing all three of their games this time round to complete a disastrous tournament for them.
By contrast, South Africa made it three wins from three as goals from Leonard Shabangu and Already Mkwanazi saw them to victory over their Southern African neighbours.
South Africa finished the pool with nine points, Niger six, Zimbabwe three and Ghana zero.
