Posted in News on Jul 05, 2007.
South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire shared the spoils two goals each in both the first and the final period, but the difference between the two teams was the second period which saw the central Africans slam home five goals without reply in a golden period.
But they were not the only big-name team to suffer defeat on the opening day as Nigeria crushed defending champions Cameroon 5-0 in the first game, while Egypt were shocked 5-4 by newcomers Senegal and in the battle of the two newbies the Cape Verde Islands edged Mozambique 6-5.
In Pool B, The Pool of Death, only Nigeria looked like a top-rated team as they crushed defending champions Cameroon 5-0. While the score line flattered the winners, Cameroon lacked any ideas in the repeat of last year's final and will have to lift their games substantially if they hope to make a trip to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final in Rio later this year.
The other Pool B game saw Egypt sluggishly go through the motions, and the fact that they only arrived in South Africa on Tuesday morning after weather-delayed flights can be their only excuse. Senegal looked much sharper and were full value for their 5-4 victory.
In Pool A Mozambique and Cape Verde belied the idea that as the two newcomers to the tournament they would be cannon fodder for the big names and probably provided the best match of the day. Mozambique will feel hard-done by after going down 5-6 -- and Antonio Bila will wonder what more he needs to do after scoring four goals and still ending up on the losing team.
Wednesday's matches pit Nigeria against Egypt and the north Africans will know they need to up their game as another loss will end their hopes of a semi-final place, while the same applies to pre-tournament favourites Cameroon, who take on Senegal. The Pool A matches have South Africa fighting for survival against Mozambique, while one of Côte d'Ivoire and Cape Verde will secure their semi-final place with a victory in the second match of the day.
