LuaLua sent off as Tunisia triumph
RADES, Tunisia -- Hosts Tunisia became the first side to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarterfinals with a 3-0 win on Wednesday over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese had captain Lomana LuaLua sent off following an off-the-ball incident in the first half -- the distraught Newcastle striker at first refusing to leave the pitch.
Brazilian-born Francileudo dos Santos scored twice and Najeh Braham was also on target while underdogs Rwanda held Guinea 1-1 in the day's other Group A game.
Dos Santos, the tournament's leading goal-scorer on three, has now scored four times in three outings for Tunisia since taking up the north African country's nationality.
But the Brazilian's achievement was overshadowed by the sending off of LuaLua after 38 minutes, the Newcastle striker having kicked out at Tunisian midfielder Joahar Mnari.
Mnari made the most of a side-swipe from LuaLua that struck him on the shins, collapsing in a heap after first walking away from the incident.
South African referee Jerome Damon immediately flashed the red card -- but the game was stopped for four minutes when LuaLua refused to leave the pitch.
And Congo assistant coach Andy Mfutila attempted to attack Mnari as he was being taken off on a stretcher.
Both benches were involved in a brief scuffle, broken up when Tunisian coach Roger Lemerre escorted LuaLua down the tunnel to the change rooms.
LuaLua had looked particularly dangerous against a hesitant Tunisian side, with five changes from the team that beat Rwanda 2-1 in the opening Group A game on Saturday.
Tunisia's fortunes changed after the introduction of Hatem Trabelsi in the second half with the Ajax right back setting up the first two goals on the overlap.
Congo goalkeeper Papy Lukata spilled his cross in the 55th minute right into the path of dos Santos, who finished easily.
Dos Santos was at the end of another cross from Trabelsi 11 minutes later but mishit his attempted overhead kick, the ball falling perfectly for Braham to head home.
Dos Santos got the third after a fine through ball from Kaies Ghodhbane three minutes from the end.
Tunisia now have six points from their first two matches, ahead of Guinea with four and Rwanda on one. Congo have lost both their opening matches and are eliminated.
Sub Karim Kamanzi scored in injury time to give underdogs Rwanda an unexpected 1-1 draw with Guinea in a Group A African Nations Cup game in Bizerte.
Titi Camara, from Qatar's Al-Siliya, broke through in the 49th minute, collected a deep pass and beat goalkeeper Ramadhani Nkunzingoma with a left-foot drive from 10 meters to put Guinea ahead.
Outplayed Rwanda equalized when a corner was dropped by goalkeeper Kemoko Camara and Kamanzi slotted the ball home.
