CAIRO: South Africa and Nigeria have not qualified for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) next year after failing to secure victories in their final group matches. Nigeria joins fellow African giants Egypt on the outside for next year's African championships. Though outgoing African champions Egypt defeated group leaders Niger 3-0 in Cairo, the combination of results was not enough to send South Africa through. Niger, South Africa and Sierra Leone all ended on nine points, but Niger claimed the most points from a ‘mini-league' between the three teams, meaning they advance as group winners and will play in the AFCON finals for the first time in their history. Nigeria failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1986 after a last-minute goal from Guinea saw them draw their final qualifier 2-2. Against the run of play, Ismael Bangoura gave Guinea the lead in the second half but Victor Obinna levelled. Nigeria then went ahead as substitute Ike Uche scored, but Ibrahim Diallo struck with seconds remaining to knock out the Super Eagles who join African giants Cameroon and Egypt in failing to make it to the tournament hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. BM
