The next step for the elminated teams: Group D

Group D

Senegal 

Senegal couldn’t stand up to the toughest group in the competition after defensive lapses cost it dearly against Tunisia and Angola.

Ultimately it left the tournament winless after drawing with South Africa.

El Hadji Diouf making himself available after an international “retirement” failed to aid Senegal’s cause in front of goals, leaving the hard-working Henri Camara with little foil in the forward line.

Defence was Senegal’s biggest problem though, Souleymayne Diawara and Abdoulaye Faye combined to score a goal against Angola but were just as culpable for three that were conceded.

After South Africa took the advantage for Senegal it was all about pride, somehow it found a way to hold on for a draw despite being hammered by Bafana Bafana.

At least the rearguard 1-1 draw may have uncovered a new star; Bouna Coundoul deputising for Tony Sylva in goal with a stunning string of saves.

World Cup qualification prospects:

Senegal is in for a tricky first stage of qualifying with Algeria, Liberia and the ever-improving Gambia its opponents.

Algeria starts and ends Senegal’s campaign, making full points against the other two teams in the middle vital to ensuring one of the eight runner-up slots before the final game in Algeirs on September 5.

Should Senegal make it to the final group stage it has the wealth of European-based professionals and at-times prolific strikers to make a run for the World Cup.

But finishing top of a group with a leaky defence will not happen.

South Africa

South Africa coach Carlos Albert Pareira said before and during the tournament he was moulding a squad for 2010.

It might be a good idea, but South Africa’s performances at this Cup of Nations showed that is still very much a work in progress.

After escaping with a draw against Angola, Bafana Bafana couldn’t handle the complete article in Tunisia.

Its final game performance against Senegal showed why it bought so many strikers in the absence of Benni McCarthy – as none of them had could land the killer blow.

It speaks volumes that it was a midfielder Elrio Van Heerden who was South Africa’s top scorer, despite strikers Surprise Moriri, Sibusiso Zuma, Mpho Chabangu, Lance Davids, Thembinkosi Fanteni, Katlego Mphela and Excellent Walaza in the squad.

A first-choice partnership has to eventuate or Pareira has to find a smaller group of players to persist with, two years is nowhere near enough time to have any one or two of seven strikers ready to play in the system he decides on.

World Cup prospects:

As hosts South Africa is qualified for the tournament but will need a soft-as-butter group with a bit of help from FIFA if it wants to see the knock-out stages at this rate.