July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - Web posted at 11:30:06 GMT

Tunisia qualify for World Cup

JOHANNESBURG - Tunisia qualified for the World Cup finals on Sunday following their 3-0 win in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the failure of closest rivals the Ivory Coast to beat Congo-Brazzaville Tunisia joined Cameroon and South Africa as the first three qualifiers for next year's tournament in Japan and South Korea.

The Tunisians' victory in Kinshasa, the biggest home defeat ever inflicted on the former Zaire, was marred by crowd trouble as spectators at the Martyr stadium interrupted play with a shower of objects directed at Malian referee Koman Coulibaly.

Defender Khaled Badra headed Tunisia in front after 14 minutes, and two goals in two minutes after the interval secured victory for the north Africans.

Both were scored by midfielder Zoubier Baya, one of several members of the side who played in the 1998 World Cup finals in France, the second with an ambitious lob from 40 metres.

The win ensured Tunisia finished qualifying with an unbeaten record and an unassailable lead in their group after the Ivorians' hopes were ended by their 1-1 draw with Congo in Pointe Noire.

The Ivorians were three points behind Tunisia with a game in hand at the start of play, but struggled on a sandy pitch in the coastal town.

Belgian-based defender Mamadou Coulibaly scored from a corner with nine minutes left to give them hope, but Congo equalised two minutes later from the penalty spot through Walter Bakouma.

The result meant the Ivory Coast, who still have to play DR Congo at home later this month, cannot catch Tunisia at the head of the group.

Sudan's mathematical chances of an unlikely World Cup place ended in Accra on Sunday with their 1-0 defeat by hosts Ghana in a group B qualifier.

Liberia lead the group after winning away in Sierra Leone on Saturday but have finished their campaign, leaving Nigeria needing to beat Ghana on July 28 to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup finals.

- Nampa-Reuters

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