Togo will face Burkina Faso in the quarter finals after holding on to a point against Tunisia in a rather tempestuous affair and a real tale of penalties. Ivory Coast had already won the group and as Algeria were already eliminated, the other game in Group D was a dead rubber. But it was actually one of the most entertaining games as the Ivorians had to battle back from 2-0 down before finding two goals in the remaining 13-minutes to also scrape a draw before meeting Nigeria in the last eight.
With Togo and Tunisia playing on the beach pitch in Nelspruit, many would have been expecting a poor game especially with the crowd being at a minimal. With Togo only needing a draw to go through, it may have been a surprise to see them start the more attacking. They would get the breakthrough after 13-minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor put Serge Gapke through and neatly scored. But Gapke was clearly offside when Adebayor finally played the ball through and Tunisia had every right to feel aggrieved, especially if that cost them their place in the next round.
Tunisia finally got into the game a bit more halfway into the second half and they were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark. Dare Nibombe pushed Walid Hichri during a corner, Hichri did go down rather easily but a penalty was the right decision. Khaled Mouelhi stepped up and rather walked up to the ball before nonchalantly rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
The second half was more about penalties given and not given than any real clear cut shots or outstanding goalkeeping. Adebayor had a penalty shout early on in the second half before having a stone wall claim turned down on 69-minutes. The Spurs striker rounded the keeper, Agassa Kossi, before Kossi brought him down.
The Togolese were furious at the South African referee for somehow not awarding the penalty and seven minutes later Tunisia had been awarded a second penalty. Saber Khelifa had been tripped by Nibombe and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. Togo's anger threatened to boil over and Florian Ayite was booked for dissent before Adebayor joined for knocking the yellow card out of the referee's hand. Togo's protests hadn't finished as Kossi required a yellow card before finally going back onto his line. Mouelhi again stepped up and was as nonchalant as before. But this time his carelessness cost him as his effort hit the outside of the post and went to safety. Tunisia had a glorious chance to win it at the death but Fakhereddine Ben Youssef's close range effort was somehow parried away by Kossi and Togo's progression was ensured.
Despite already winning the group, it was a surprise to see Ivory Coast play a rather strong team against Algeria. Algeria had a glorious chance to take the lead after five minutes El Arbi Soudani was brought down by Ismael Traore, the referee pointed to the spot even though the foul took place just outside the box. Ryad Boudebouz stepped up but hit the post and Algeria remained without a goal in the tournament.
Algeria managed to redeem themselves when they were awarded another penalty on 64-minutes when Arthur Boka handled in the box. This time substitute Sofiane Feghouli stepped up smashed his effort into the corner. Algeria made it 2-0 seven minutes later Soudani headed a cross home, almost giving Algeria a surprise three points.
Ivory Coast responded on 77-minutes with Didier Drogba making 2-1 with a header from a looping delivery. Ivory Coast then levelled ten minutes from time with Wilfried Bony scoring after his shot was met with a wicked deflection to keep Ivory Coast unbeaten. Final table:
1. Ivory Coast 7 +4
2. Togo 4 +1
3. Tunisia 4 -2
4. Algeria 1 -3
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