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Tuesday Kickoff: Sudan gets through at ACN, Spurs revamping stadium and more

Sudan (Reuters Pictures)

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Sudan entered Monday's African Cup of Nations group finale needing a minor miracle to get through to the next round, trailing Angola by three points for second place in Group B while needing to make up a goal differential of -3 as well.

In the end, Sudan got its way.

A 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso coupled with the Ivory Coast's 2-0 victory over Angola put Sudan through to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1970 in dramatic fashion. Mudather Tayeb scored twice to give Sudan a 2-0 lead, with Issiaka Ouedraogo's goal in the 90th minute proving little more than a consolation goal to Burkina Faso. Sudan will face Zambia in the first knockout round.

With its win, the Ivory Coast maintained a perfect record at the tournament. Emmanuel Eboue and Bony Wilfried netted the goals for the Elephants, who advance to a quarterfinal matchup with hosts Equitorial Guinea.

Tuesday's games feature Group C as Gabon faces Tunisia in winner-takes-the-group battle, and Niger takes on Morocco in what will be the tournament finale for both already-eliminated teams.

Here are some more stories to get your day going:

TOTTENHAM TO REVAMP WHITE HART LANE

Tottenham Hotspur have announced plans to go ahead and renovate White Hart Lane, their current stadium, and keep the club in North London. According to reports from England, London's Haringey Council has pledged £9 million to the redevelopment of that region of the city while the mayor of London has pledged a substantial amount as well.

Spurs were publicly bidding to take over the Olympic Stadium after the conclusion of this summer Olympic games but lost out to West Ham.

SPORTING GIJON FIRES COACH

Sporting Gijon of Spain's La Liga have dismissed their coach in a desperate attempt to stave off relegation. Manuel Preciado was dismissed after five and a half seasons at the helm, the club announced Tuesday. Preciado was the longest serving manager in the top-flight.

Gijon is 19th in the La Liga table and three points from safety. They are also in a poor run of form, losing four of their past five games. Real Sociedad handed Sporting a 5-1 thrashing over the weekend in La Liga's most lopsided victory of 2012. Assistant Inaki Tejada will take over as acting manager.

ROBERTO CARLOS TO RETIRE IN DECEMBER

Roberto Carlos is planning on hanging up his boots.

The 38-year-old defender will retire either this summer or in December, according to reports, citing injuries as his reason for stepping away from the game. The 2002 World-Cup winner with Brazil currently plays for Russian club Anzhi and his contract doesn't expire until next summer and he will reportedly take on an advisory role with the club. Robert Carlos retired from international play in 2006 after 125 appearances and 11 goals for the national side.

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What do you make of Sudan finding its way through to the quarterfinals? Happy that Tottenham appears to be staying put at White Hart Lane? Did Sporting Gijon make the right choice? What's your best Roberto Carlos memory?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Berto’s free kick was one of my first and finest images of soccer. Needless to say my first involvement with soccer set a ridiculously high standard. I thought that’s how everyone played the game.

    Unfortunately I was wrong.

    I’m still recovering …

    Reply
  2. reports in the UK press that Robbie Rogers will be suiting up tonight but probably on the bench and that George John might get his first start.

    Reply

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