Niger Make Historical Qualification For 2012 African Nations Cup

[emezico]

Niger have qualified for their maiden Africa Cup of Nations final despite losing 3-0 in Egypt on Saturday.

Group G rivals South Africa or Sierra Leone would have qualified had either won in Nelspruit but it ended 0-0.

Nonetheless, the Bafana Bafana squad celebrated their victory in the errant belief that they had qualified.

Niger, South Africa and Sierra Leone all ended with nine points, but Niger qualify thanks to their superior head-to-head record against their rivals.

"Niger have qualified," Confederation of African Football secretary-general Hicham El Amrani confirmed to BBC Sport.