Super Eagles take flight
Draw with Cameroon moves Nigeria closer to World Cup
JOHANNESBURG: Nigeria survived a late Cameroon onslaught to draw 1-1 in Yaounde and move closer to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Moses Simon put Nigeria ahead on 30 minutes and substitute Vincent Aboubakar equalised from a 75th-minute penalty at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Monday to spark a rally by the hosts.
Unbeaten leaders Nigeria moved to 10 points from four matches in Group B and a home win over Zambia on Oct 7 will clinch a sixth World Cup appearance.
Dropping two points in Yaounde eliminated seven-time World Cup qualifiers Cameroon as only group winners go to Russia and they trail Nigeria by seven points with two matches to play.
The draw came three days after Nigeria thrashed African champions Cameroon 4-0 in Uyo – a result that prompted losing coach Hugo Broos to make four changes.
Among those dropped were striker Aboubakar and winger Christian Bassogog, whose second-half introductions lifted the ‘Indomitable Lions’ and put pres- sure on the ‘Super Eagles’.
Simon scored with a close-range shot past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa after a low cross eluded several defenders.
A collision between Arnaud Djoum and Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa led to the spotkick, and Aboubakar scored with a shot into the middle of the net.
Cameroon had another penalty appeal rejected by the Gambian referee as they pushed for a first win in the “group of death” that includes Algeria and Zambia.
Ezenwa came to the rescue six minutes from time with a double save, the second particularly being brave as he dived at the feet of Djoum and was injured.
But for much of the match it looked like the central Africans were going to suffer a first World Cup qualifying defeat at home since losing to Congo Brazzaville in October 1976.
Nigeria were more threatening going forward, thanks to crisp passing, good off-the-ball movement and dazzling individual skills.
Nigeria have dedicated the qualifying campaign to goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who is battling leukaemia in England.
The disease was discovered when he went for a routine pre-season medical at Wolverhampton three months ago.
“Carl is constantly in my thoughts, those of the other coaches, the players and the officials,” said Germany-born Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr.
Libya shaded Guinea 1-0 in Tunisia despite playing the last quarter a man short after Mohammed Al Gadi was red-carded following his second caution.
The Ivorian referee was the busiest man on the pitch in Monastir, showing one red and 10 yellow cards during the clash of Group A also-rans.
Amid the indiscipline, Hamdou Mohamed scored the only goal on 36 minutes by controlling a long ball with his thigh and rifling a shot past goalkeeper Naby Yattara.
Tunisia lead the group with nine points, three more than the Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of a top-of-the-table clash in Kinshasa. Guinea and Libya have three points.
Libya were forced to play in Tunisia for security reasons. — AFP