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Sprinter McEwen bemoans lack of Olympic success
Three-times Tour de France points winner Robbie McEwen would happily trade one of his green jerseys for the Olympic glory that eluded him, the experienced Australian sprinter said on Tuesday.
"I'd swap one Tour de France green jersey but only for gold," the 39-year-old said via a teleconference from Singapore.
The Brisbane-born sprinter made three failed attempts at winning an Olympic road race medal but insists that despite finishing empty-handed in 1996, 2000 and 2004, he had given it his best shot on each occasion.
"Not really disappointed, because each time I went in, I did the very best I could. No need for excuses after the race, I gave it everything.
"Each time I was a little bit better but out of the medals... but that's the nature of racing.
"To have a medal would have been very nice of course but that's part of racing and also my fellow competitors did not make it possible for me to win a medal," said the GreenEdge rider, who is participating in next month's OCBC Cycle Singapore.
McEwen added that despite major stage races taking place shortly before the Summer Games, professional riders were as enthused by the prospect of competing at the Olympics as any other athlete.
"It may not be something you build your season around but even as professionals, you want to be part of it if you get the chance.
"It is very special to represent your country at an Olympic Games, even more so than a World Championships because the Olympics are only once every four years.
"It's a very unique event and all the pro guys always get excited about going to the Olympics. I was very fortunate to go three times and it's something that I will cherish being a part of."
"I'd swap one Tour de France green jersey but only for gold," the 39-year-old said via a teleconference from Singapore.
The Brisbane-born sprinter made three failed attempts at winning an Olympic road race medal but insists that despite finishing empty-handed in 1996, 2000 and 2004, he had given it his best shot on each occasion.
"Not really disappointed, because each time I went in, I did the very best I could. No need for excuses after the race, I gave it everything.
"Each time I was a little bit better but out of the medals... but that's the nature of racing.
"To have a medal would have been very nice of course but that's part of racing and also my fellow competitors did not make it possible for me to win a medal," said the GreenEdge rider, who is participating in next month's OCBC Cycle Singapore.
McEwen added that despite major stage races taking place shortly before the Summer Games, professional riders were as enthused by the prospect of competing at the Olympics as any other athlete.
"It may not be something you build your season around but even as professionals, you want to be part of it if you get the chance.
"It is very special to represent your country at an Olympic Games, even more so than a World Championships because the Olympics are only once every four years.
"It's a very unique event and all the pro guys always get excited about going to the Olympics. I was very fortunate to go three times and it's something that I will cherish being a part of."
Kenya's Rudisha to kick off Olympic year Down Under
David Rudisha, Kenya's 800 metres world champion and world record holder, will kick off his 2012 season in two meetings in Sydney and Melbourne over the next month, Athletics Australia said on Tuesday.
After claiming the world title with an impressive display of front-running in South Korea last August, the 23-year-old will be a strong favourite to claim his first Olympic gold in London on Aug. 9.
Rudisha, who will run the 400 metres at the Sydney Track Classic on Feb. 18 and step up to the two-lap race in Melbourne on March 2-3, said he was looking forward to commencing his season Down Under, as he has for the last two years.
"The people are friendly, the meets are good and it works as a very good start to my year," he said in a news release.
"This year we of course have the Olympic Games and that is the big focus for all athletes but I want to run well throughout the year."
Rudisha, who set his 800m world record time of one minute 41.01 seconds in Italy in 2010, said running the 400m in Sydney could lead to a bid to run in the relay in London.
"My personal best in the 400m is still from when I ran in Sydney two years ago, so I'm hoping that I can maybe lower that time," he added.
"People have asked me if I will run on our 4x400 relay team, at the moment all I can say is that anything is possible but the focus for me is the 800. Having won the world championships I of course want to add that Olympic title."
After claiming the world title with an impressive display of front-running in South Korea last August, the 23-year-old will be a strong favourite to claim his first Olympic gold in London on Aug. 9.
Rudisha, who will run the 400 metres at the Sydney Track Classic on Feb. 18 and step up to the two-lap race in Melbourne on March 2-3, said he was looking forward to commencing his season Down Under, as he has for the last two years.
"The people are friendly, the meets are good and it works as a very good start to my year," he said in a news release.
"This year we of course have the Olympic Games and that is the big focus for all athletes but I want to run well throughout the year."
Rudisha, who set his 800m world record time of one minute 41.01 seconds in Italy in 2010, said running the 400m in Sydney could lead to a bid to run in the relay in London.
"My personal best in the 400m is still from when I ran in Sydney two years ago, so I'm hoping that I can maybe lower that time," he added.
"People have asked me if I will run on our 4x400 relay team, at the moment all I can say is that anything is possible but the focus for me is the 800. Having won the world championships I of course want to add that Olympic title."
Giants nearing full strength ahead of Super Bowl
Linebacker Jacquian Williams shed his walking boot on Tuesday and said he was hopeful of practicing Wednesday as the New York Giants looked likely to be at full strength for Sunday's Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Williams, who suffered the injury during the NFC title game where he forced a turnover in overtime that set up the winning score, said he was confident he would overcome the strained right foot that has sidelined him.
Other key Giants players, including running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder) and cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) also said they were ready to go at full speed.
"It feels a lot better this week," said Nicks, who along with slot receiver Victor Cruz and wide receiver Mario Manningham, provides the Giants with big-play targets for quarterback Eli Manning. "It's not sore or anything.
The Giants followed the Patriots at Media Day to podiums erected on the sidelines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the title game will be played.
But first, members of the team strolled onto the gridiron with cameras and video recorders to chronicle the spectacle of hundreds of reporters and a crowd of 7,300 spectators who paid $25 to sit in the stands and listen to player interviews.
Second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who was named to the All-Pro team after recording 16.5 sacks this season, typified the confidence of the New Yorkers, who beat the Patriots 17-14 four years ago in the Super Bowl.
"When all is said and done there is only one team that will walk away with the win and be world champions," said Pierre-Paul, the son of Haitian immigrants in Florida.
"It's going to be the team that's got the most heart and wants to play physical. I think we'll be that team."
Williams, who suffered the injury during the NFC title game where he forced a turnover in overtime that set up the winning score, said he was confident he would overcome the strained right foot that has sidelined him.
Other key Giants players, including running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder) and cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) also said they were ready to go at full speed.
"It feels a lot better this week," said Nicks, who along with slot receiver Victor Cruz and wide receiver Mario Manningham, provides the Giants with big-play targets for quarterback Eli Manning. "It's not sore or anything.
The Giants followed the Patriots at Media Day to podiums erected on the sidelines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the title game will be played.
But first, members of the team strolled onto the gridiron with cameras and video recorders to chronicle the spectacle of hundreds of reporters and a crowd of 7,300 spectators who paid $25 to sit in the stands and listen to player interviews.
Second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who was named to the All-Pro team after recording 16.5 sacks this season, typified the confidence of the New Yorkers, who beat the Patriots 17-14 four years ago in the Super Bowl.
"When all is said and done there is only one team that will walk away with the win and be world champions," said Pierre-Paul, the son of Haitian immigrants in Florida.
"It's going to be the team that's got the most heart and wants to play physical. I think we'll be that team."
Vegas bookmakers' cheering Patriots in Super Bowl
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady can count Las Vegas casinos among his supporters for this weekend's Super Bowl after most of the millions of dollars wagered on the game has been for a New York Giants victory.
The point-spread for the National Football League's (NFL) title game on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis has remained steady over the last week and the Nevada gambling community is backing the Giants, who were three-point underdogs, as of Tuesday.
MGM Resorts International, which operates 10 sports books on the Las Vegas Strip, said about 65 per cent of the money bet so far in its casinos was for the Giants.
"At this point we are still getting some dog money, they are betting the Giants, and I think that will be the trend going into the weekend," Jay Rood, vice president of the race and sports book at MGM, told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"I am fairly certain that it's happening throughout the whole state (of Nevada) as well so I'm pretty sure the state is going to need a Patriots victory."
Head coach Bill Belichick's Patriots enter the Super Bowl on a 10-game winning streak dating back to the regular season and face a Giants team that stunned them in the title game four years ago.
Questions about the Patriots defence and the status of injured tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of Brady's key targets all season, have made the Giants appealing to bettors in what promises to be a close game.
"Being on Brady and Belichick's side is not a bad position," said Rood. "It's a fighting chance at least."
While the Giants were luring the bulk of bets early in the week, the casinos said nearly 80 percent of Super Bowl wagers were not made until the weekend.
Some of the sports books expected a sizeable portion of the remaining bets to be in support of the Patriots, which could potentially change which team the casinos want to win.
" If that comes in it's going to balance this thing out a little bit," said Jay Kornegay, vice president of race and sports book operations for the LVH SuperBook. "Or we might not see that, so in that case, yeah, most of the sports books are going to need the Patriots."
GAMBLING FRENZY
Every year, the NFL's championship game creates a gambling frenzy in Nevada that is considered by some to be a bellwether for the broader U.S. economy. The state handled $87.5 million in Super Bowl bets last year when Green Bay beat Pittsburgh.
According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, wagers on this year's Super Bowl were expected to surpass last year's but would be hard pressed to top the record $94.5 million set six years ago when Pittsburgh beat Seattle.
"More people are coming but they are spending less individually so we are seeing increases but the increases don't quite match that volume that we've seen," said Mike Lawton, senior research analyst for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. "People's wallets just are not spending as much as they were."
Aside from traditional bets on which team will win or who will be chosen as the most valuable player, gamblers can also wager on a range of things, including whether Kelly Clarkson will forget or omit at least one word when she sings the U.S. National Anthem before kickoff.
Gamblers can also bet on what color sports drink will be dumped on the head coach of the winning team and whether Madonna will be wearing fishnet stockings at any point during her Super Bowl halftime show.
The point-spread for the National Football League's (NFL) title game on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis has remained steady over the last week and the Nevada gambling community is backing the Giants, who were three-point underdogs, as of Tuesday.
MGM Resorts International, which operates 10 sports books on the Las Vegas Strip, said about 65 per cent of the money bet so far in its casinos was for the Giants.
"At this point we are still getting some dog money, they are betting the Giants, and I think that will be the trend going into the weekend," Jay Rood, vice president of the race and sports book at MGM, told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"I am fairly certain that it's happening throughout the whole state (of Nevada) as well so I'm pretty sure the state is going to need a Patriots victory."
Head coach Bill Belichick's Patriots enter the Super Bowl on a 10-game winning streak dating back to the regular season and face a Giants team that stunned them in the title game four years ago.
Questions about the Patriots defence and the status of injured tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of Brady's key targets all season, have made the Giants appealing to bettors in what promises to be a close game.
"Being on Brady and Belichick's side is not a bad position," said Rood. "It's a fighting chance at least."
While the Giants were luring the bulk of bets early in the week, the casinos said nearly 80 percent of Super Bowl wagers were not made until the weekend.
Some of the sports books expected a sizeable portion of the remaining bets to be in support of the Patriots, which could potentially change which team the casinos want to win.
" If that comes in it's going to balance this thing out a little bit," said Jay Kornegay, vice president of race and sports book operations for the LVH SuperBook. "Or we might not see that, so in that case, yeah, most of the sports books are going to need the Patriots."
GAMBLING FRENZY
Every year, the NFL's championship game creates a gambling frenzy in Nevada that is considered by some to be a bellwether for the broader U.S. economy. The state handled $87.5 million in Super Bowl bets last year when Green Bay beat Pittsburgh.
According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, wagers on this year's Super Bowl were expected to surpass last year's but would be hard pressed to top the record $94.5 million set six years ago when Pittsburgh beat Seattle.
"More people are coming but they are spending less individually so we are seeing increases but the increases don't quite match that volume that we've seen," said Mike Lawton, senior research analyst for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. "People's wallets just are not spending as much as they were."
Aside from traditional bets on which team will win or who will be chosen as the most valuable player, gamblers can also wager on a range of things, including whether Kelly Clarkson will forget or omit at least one word when she sings the U.S. National Anthem before kickoff.
Gamblers can also bet on what color sports drink will be dumped on the head coach of the winning team and whether Madonna will be wearing fishnet stockings at any point during her Super Bowl halftime show.
Croatia striker Jelavic swaps Rangers for Everton
Everton signed Croatia international striker Nikica Jelavic from Scottish champions Rangers on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday.
Media reports estimated the transfer fee to be around eight million pounds ($12.62 million).
Jelavic, 26, started his first-team career at Hajduk Split before having spells at Zulte Waregem in Belgium and Rapid Vienna before joining Rangers in 2010.
He scored 36 goals in 55 matches for the Ibrox side.
Jelavic becomes Everton's third signing in the January transfer window after the arrivals of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United and American midfielder Landon Donovan on loan from LA Galaxy.
Media reports estimated the transfer fee to be around eight million pounds ($12.62 million).
Jelavic, 26, started his first-team career at Hajduk Split before having spells at Zulte Waregem in Belgium and Rapid Vienna before joining Rangers in 2010.
He scored 36 goals in 55 matches for the Ibrox side.
Jelavic becomes Everton's third signing in the January transfer window after the arrivals of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United and American midfielder Landon Donovan on loan from LA Galaxy.
Fan halts City game by handcuffing himself to post
The Premier League match between Everton and leaders Manchester City at Goodison Park was halted for around four minutes on Tuesday when a male fan went on to the pitch and handcuffed himself to a goalpost.
Police freed the man who had attached himself to the post in the goal that City were defending. The score was 0-0 at the time.
Police freed the man who had attached himself to the post in the goal that City were defending. The score was 0-0 at the time.
Aubameyang strikes again as Gabon finish top
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for the third successive game at the African Nations Cup to give co-hosts Gabon a 1-0 win over Tunisia on Tuesday that ensured they finished top of Group C.
Both teams had already qualified and Tunisia made eight changes to their starting line-up but that did not prevent them producing a niggly encounter which included a pushing match between several players at the end.
Gabon took one of few chances in the 62nd minute with a quick exchange of passes which sliced through the Tunisian midfield.
The break ended with Daniel Cousin finding Aubameyang and the 22-year-old St Etienne player scored with a low shot from the edge of the area with Tunisia goalkeeper Rami Jeridi unsighted.
Three-goal Aubameyang has been the inspiration behind Gabon's surprise run into the last eight, achieved with a dramatic 3-2 win over Morocco in their previous match.
Gabon topped the group with a maximum nine points while Tunisia finished with six.
Both teams had already qualified and Tunisia made eight changes to their starting line-up but that did not prevent them producing a niggly encounter which included a pushing match between several players at the end.
Gabon took one of few chances in the 62nd minute with a quick exchange of passes which sliced through the Tunisian midfield.
The break ended with Daniel Cousin finding Aubameyang and the 22-year-old St Etienne player scored with a low shot from the edge of the area with Tunisia goalkeeper Rami Jeridi unsighted.
Three-goal Aubameyang has been the inspiration behind Gabon's surprise run into the last eight, achieved with a dramatic 3-2 win over Morocco in their previous match.
Gabon topped the group with a maximum nine points while Tunisia finished with six.
Belhanda goal spares more Morocco blushes
Younes Belhanda's goal 11 minutes from time earned Morocco a 1-0 win over Niger on Tuesday in an African Nations Cup tie involving two Group C teams already eliminated.
It was the last game of the tournament for both nations who finished behind group winners Gabon, the co-hosts, and Tunisia.
Morocco were one of the pre-tournament favourites but have suffered a major crisis of confidence less than six months before launching their World Cup qualifying campaign.
They gave another poor performance on Tuesday that will not bode well for the future of coach Eric Gerets.
Former Belgium World Cup player Gerets said beforehand that he viewed the match with Niger as a chance to start again after their opening defeats by Tunisia and Gabon.
Morocco dominated possession, their skilful midfielders cleverly interchanging passes but also overelaborating and showing indecision.
The only goal came when Marouane Chamakh, looking suspiciously offside, put Belhanda in for a sliding finish.
Niger created the best opportunities in front of a small crowd at the 45,000-capacity Libreville stadium.
The dangerous Moussa Maazou shaved the crossbar from close range just before halftime and after the break Abdoul Karim Lancina forced a good save from Morocco keeper Mohamed Amsif with a swerving long range free kick.
It was the last game of the tournament for both nations who finished behind group winners Gabon, the co-hosts, and Tunisia.
Morocco were one of the pre-tournament favourites but have suffered a major crisis of confidence less than six months before launching their World Cup qualifying campaign.
They gave another poor performance on Tuesday that will not bode well for the future of coach Eric Gerets.
Former Belgium World Cup player Gerets said beforehand that he viewed the match with Niger as a chance to start again after their opening defeats by Tunisia and Gabon.
Morocco dominated possession, their skilful midfielders cleverly interchanging passes but also overelaborating and showing indecision.
The only goal came when Marouane Chamakh, looking suspiciously offside, put Belhanda in for a sliding finish.
Niger created the best opportunities in front of a small crowd at the 45,000-capacity Libreville stadium.
The dangerous Moussa Maazou shaved the crossbar from close range just before halftime and after the break Abdoul Karim Lancina forced a good save from Morocco keeper Mohamed Amsif with a swerving long range free kick.
Chelsea cut losses and post record turnover
Chelsea reduced their losses and posted a record turnover in the year ending June 30, 2011 with the club saying Tuesday's figures showed they were focused on meeting UEFA's new financial rules.
A loss of 67.7 million pounds ($106.83 million) was an improvement from 70.9 million the previous year while group turnover increased to 222.3 million pounds from 205.8 million.
The increase in revenue was mainly due to higher receipts from the Champions League and a rise in income from an overseas broadcasting contract, the Premier League club said on their website (www.chelseafc.com).
"Achieving a record level of turnover is satisfying given the economic background against which we are operating," added chief executive Ron Gourlay.
The west London club said match day receipts and commercial revenue had held up well in the face of turbulence in the wider economy.
The figures cover a year when Chelsea, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, splashed out a British record 50 million pounds to sign striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool.
The financial fair play rules of European soccer's ruling body UEFA, which come into force for the 2013-14 season, are designed to stop clubs spending more than their income.
Teams who fall foul of the rules face banishment from the Champions League and Europa League.
"The club is focused on complying with the requirements of UEFA's financial fair play regulations while maintaining its ability to challenge for major trophies," chairman Bruce Buck said.
"We would expect this to be reflected in our results for the current financial year." ($1 = 0.6337 British pounds)
A loss of 67.7 million pounds ($106.83 million) was an improvement from 70.9 million the previous year while group turnover increased to 222.3 million pounds from 205.8 million.
The increase in revenue was mainly due to higher receipts from the Champions League and a rise in income from an overseas broadcasting contract, the Premier League club said on their website (www.chelseafc.com).
"Achieving a record level of turnover is satisfying given the economic background against which we are operating," added chief executive Ron Gourlay.
The west London club said match day receipts and commercial revenue had held up well in the face of turbulence in the wider economy.
The figures cover a year when Chelsea, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, splashed out a British record 50 million pounds to sign striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool.
The financial fair play rules of European soccer's ruling body UEFA, which come into force for the 2013-14 season, are designed to stop clubs spending more than their income.
Teams who fall foul of the rules face banishment from the Champions League and Europa League.
"The club is focused on complying with the requirements of UEFA's financial fair play regulations while maintaining its ability to challenge for major trophies," chairman Bruce Buck said.
"We would expect this to be reflected in our results for the current financial year." ($1 = 0.6337 British pounds)
Zambia expel midfielder Mulenga for breaking curfew
Zambia have kicked winger Clifford Mulenga out of their African Nations Cup squad for a breach of team rules, the country's football association said on Tuesday.
Mulenga broke a curfew, along with three other unidentified players, after Zambia's win on Sunday over Equatorial Guinea in their last group match.
While the trio apologised, Mulenga, with a reputation for being head strong, did not.
"The coach has made it very, very clear why he had made that decision and it is in the interest of teamwork and unity and that cannot be compromised," the association's press officer Erick Mwanza told reporters in Bata, where Zambia are preparing for their quarter-final against Sudan on Saturday.
Mulenga had only made a fleeting appearance at the tournament as a late substitute on Sunday, when Zambia beat the co-hosts 1-0 in Malabo.
Mulenga broke a curfew, along with three other unidentified players, after Zambia's win on Sunday over Equatorial Guinea in their last group match.
While the trio apologised, Mulenga, with a reputation for being head strong, did not.
"The coach has made it very, very clear why he had made that decision and it is in the interest of teamwork and unity and that cannot be compromised," the association's press officer Erick Mwanza told reporters in Bata, where Zambia are preparing for their quarter-final against Sudan on Saturday.
Mulenga had only made a fleeting appearance at the tournament as a late substitute on Sunday, when Zambia beat the co-hosts 1-0 in Malabo.
Midfielder Thiago Motta joins PSG from Inter
Italy midfielder Thiago Motta has joined Paris St Germain from Inter Milan for an undisclosed fee, the Ligue 1 club said on Tuesday.
Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who gave no details on the transfer, said that Thiago Motta will be officially unveiled at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Thiago Motta, who has been capped six times by Italy, is PSG's third big signing of the January transfer window after fullback Maxwell joined from Barcelona and centre back Alex left Chelsea for the Qatar-backed club.
Inter moved quickly to replace Thiago Motta by signing Italy midfielder Angelo Palombo on loan with a right to buy from Sampdoria, the Nerazzurri said on Tuesday.
The transfer window closes at 2300 GMT on Tuesday.
Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who gave no details on the transfer, said that Thiago Motta will be officially unveiled at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Thiago Motta, who has been capped six times by Italy, is PSG's third big signing of the January transfer window after fullback Maxwell joined from Barcelona and centre back Alex left Chelsea for the Qatar-backed club.
Inter moved quickly to replace Thiago Motta by signing Italy midfielder Angelo Palombo on loan with a right to buy from Sampdoria, the Nerazzurri said on Tuesday.
The transfer window closes at 2300 GMT on Tuesday.
Hoffenheim seal Lakic loan deal to bolster attack
Hoffenheim signed out-of-favour Wolfsburg striker Srdjan Lakic on loan until the end of the season to fill the gap left by Vedad Ibisevic's departure for Stuttgart, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday.
"Srdjan fits perfectly into our profile because he is a player who can help us instantly," said Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski. "We are convinced he can fill the space left by Vedad."
The 28-year-old Croatia international joined Wolfsburg from Kaiserslautern after netting 16 times in the 2010-11 season but has failed to hold down a regular starting place under coach Felix Magath.
"Srdjan fits perfectly into our profile because he is a player who can help us instantly," said Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski. "We are convinced he can fill the space left by Vedad."
The 28-year-old Croatia international joined Wolfsburg from Kaiserslautern after netting 16 times in the 2010-11 season but has failed to hold down a regular starting place under coach Felix Magath.
Mohican-haired Aubameyang a cut above for Gabon
Gabon's Mohican-haired forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, arguably the best performer at the African Nations Cup, scored again to give the co-hosts a 1-0 win over under-strength Tunisia in Franceville on Tuesday.
Both teams were already through to the quarter-finals but Gabon's victory meant they finished top of Group C on nine points. Second-placed Tunisia (six) are likely to face Ghana, tournament favourites along with Ivory Coast, in the last eight.
Morocco, already eliminated, triumphed 1-0 against debutants Niger who lost all three Group C games but were far from disgraced as they avoided widely-predicted humiliation.
Ghana need one point against Guinea in Franceville on Wednesday to top Group D.
Guinea have three points alongside Mali, who face a point-less and demoralised Botswana in Libreville.
Zambia, who meet Sudan in a quarter-final in Bata on Saturday, were rocked by indiscipline when four players broke a curfew.
Three apologised but winger Clifford Mulenga did not and was sent home, said the national federation.
"The coach has made it very clear why he made that decision and it is in the interest of teamwork and unity - that cannot be compromised," media officer Erick Mwanza told reporters.
Angola headed home following a shock elimination the previous night when, needing only a point to qualify, they were beaten 2-0 by Ivory Coast and Sudan overcame Burkina Faso 2-1 to go through in their place on goal difference.
There was widespread media speculation Angola coach Lito Vidigal's contract would not be renewed and Burkina Faso's Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte would replace him despite losing all three games at the tournament.
EIGHT CHANGES
Tunisia made eight changes to their team for a niggly encounter which included a pushing match between several players at the end.
Gabon, co-hosts with Equatorial Guinea who have also surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals, seized on a rare chance in the 62nd minute after a quick exchange of passes sliced through the Tunisian midfield.
The break ended with Daniel Cousin finding Aubameyang and the 22-year-old St Etienne player scored with a low shot from the edge of the area with Tunisia goalkeeper Rami Jeridi unsighted.
Aubameyang, whose hairstyle gives him a striking resemblance to Brazilian forward Neymar, has been Gabon's inspiration in the competition, scoring three goals and laying on numerous chances.
Younes Belhanda's goal 11 minutes from time gave Morocco the points against Niger but it was another poor performance that does not bode well for the future of coach Eric Gerets.
Former Belgium World Cup player Gerets said beforehand that he viewed the match as a chance to start again after their opening defeats by Tunisia and Gabon.
Morocco dominated possession, their skilful midfielders cleverly interchanging passes but also overelaborating and showing indecision.
The only goal came when Marouane Chamakh, looking suspiciously offside, put Belhanda in for a sliding finish.
Niger created the best opportunities in front of a small crowd at the 45,000-capacity Libreville stadium.
Both teams were already through to the quarter-finals but Gabon's victory meant they finished top of Group C on nine points. Second-placed Tunisia (six) are likely to face Ghana, tournament favourites along with Ivory Coast, in the last eight.
Morocco, already eliminated, triumphed 1-0 against debutants Niger who lost all three Group C games but were far from disgraced as they avoided widely-predicted humiliation.
Ghana need one point against Guinea in Franceville on Wednesday to top Group D.
Guinea have three points alongside Mali, who face a point-less and demoralised Botswana in Libreville.
Zambia, who meet Sudan in a quarter-final in Bata on Saturday, were rocked by indiscipline when four players broke a curfew.
Three apologised but winger Clifford Mulenga did not and was sent home, said the national federation.
"The coach has made it very clear why he made that decision and it is in the interest of teamwork and unity - that cannot be compromised," media officer Erick Mwanza told reporters.
Angola headed home following a shock elimination the previous night when, needing only a point to qualify, they were beaten 2-0 by Ivory Coast and Sudan overcame Burkina Faso 2-1 to go through in their place on goal difference.
There was widespread media speculation Angola coach Lito Vidigal's contract would not be renewed and Burkina Faso's Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte would replace him despite losing all three games at the tournament.
EIGHT CHANGES
Tunisia made eight changes to their team for a niggly encounter which included a pushing match between several players at the end.
Gabon, co-hosts with Equatorial Guinea who have also surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals, seized on a rare chance in the 62nd minute after a quick exchange of passes sliced through the Tunisian midfield.
The break ended with Daniel Cousin finding Aubameyang and the 22-year-old St Etienne player scored with a low shot from the edge of the area with Tunisia goalkeeper Rami Jeridi unsighted.
Aubameyang, whose hairstyle gives him a striking resemblance to Brazilian forward Neymar, has been Gabon's inspiration in the competition, scoring three goals and laying on numerous chances.
Younes Belhanda's goal 11 minutes from time gave Morocco the points against Niger but it was another poor performance that does not bode well for the future of coach Eric Gerets.
Former Belgium World Cup player Gerets said beforehand that he viewed the match as a chance to start again after their opening defeats by Tunisia and Gabon.
Morocco dominated possession, their skilful midfielders cleverly interchanging passes but also overelaborating and showing indecision.
The only goal came when Marouane Chamakh, looking suspiciously offside, put Belhanda in for a sliding finish.
Niger created the best opportunities in front of a small crowd at the 45,000-capacity Libreville stadium.
United join beaten City at Premier League summit
Manchester United moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday after Alex Ferguson's side overcame Stoke 2-0 while former United player Darron Gibson's goal condemned City to a 1-0 defeat at Everton.
Ireland midfielder Gibson left United to move to Goodison Park earlier this month and his strike on the hour proved decisive.
United, who trail their rivals on goal difference, eased past Stoke thanks to two penalties at Old Trafford from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov.
City and United have 54 points from 23 matches, five ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.
Ireland midfielder Gibson left United to move to Goodison Park earlier this month and his strike on the hour proved decisive.
United, who trail their rivals on goal difference, eased past Stoke thanks to two penalties at Old Trafford from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov.
City and United have 54 points from 23 matches, five ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.
