LUANDA: Angola and Algeria became the latest teams to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw here on Monday. The split result suited both teams perfectly, with Angola going through as Group A winners on five points and Algeria as runners-up on four points. Mali, who beat Malawi in the simultaneous game up in Cabinda 3-1, were also on four points but missed out on the head-to head performance with Algeria. Angola now progress to face the runners-up of Group B — either Ivory Coast, Ghana or Burkina Faso, in their Luanda fortress on Sunday, with Algeria taking on the Group B winners in Cabinda the same day. Angola coach Manuel Jose made two changes from the XI that saw off Malawi 2-0, with Jamuana starting for suspended Stelvio and Zekalanga coming in for injured star striker Flavio, scorer of three of Angola’s six goals up to Monday. Algeria had only one alteration from the side that beat Mali 1-0, with Blackpool attacker Hamer Bouazza taking the place of Strasbourg midfielder Yassine Bezzazz. The World Cup qualifiers were at the hosts’ heels from kick-off, desperate to avoid the ignominy of a first round exit with South Africa 2010 looming. After an open first quarter Angola were looking dangerous on the attack, with Mabina for one testing Desert Foxes’ keeper Faouzi Chaouchi in the 17th minute. Down at the other end Nadir Belhadj floated in a 40-yard freekick from the right but Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra failed to make proper contact and keeper Carlos Fernandes dealt comfortably with the threat. On the half hour Chaouchi could only punch away Manucho’s centred shot as the evenly balanced first half continued at a breathless pace. Angola had their best chance two minutes from the break when Zekalanga slid the ball over to Djalma waiting in the box only for his close range shot to lack the necessary ooomph to cause Chaouchi much concern. Minutes after the restart Zuela was stretchered off after suffering an injury in his successful bid to stop Karim Matmour connecting with a potentially damaging cross from the left. Defender Dias Caires entered the fray in his place.

Mali file protest

LUANDA: Mali have lodged an official protest over what they describe as “the complete non-match” between Angola and Algeria which knocked them out of the Africa Cup of Nations. The hosts and Algeria played a goalless draw to send both sides into the quarter-finals from Group A at the expense of Mali. Angola finished top on five points with Algeria second on four. Mali finished level with Algeria after beating Malawi 3-1 but were squeezed out having lost 1-0 to Algeria last week.