Yacine Brahimi converted a late and controversial penalty to secure a 1-1 home draw for Algeria to deny Nigeria victory in the final mat...
Yacine Brahimi converted a late and controversial penalty to secure a 1-1 home draw for Algeria to deny Nigeria victory in the final match of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
John Ogu's exquisitely curled volley from range in the 62nd
minute looked set to hand the Super Eagles victory at the Mohammed Hamlaoui
Stadium in Constantine.
However, with three minutes to go, Brahimi tangled with
Abdullahi Shehu in the box, with the referee awarding the hosts an unexpected
penalty which the playmaker duly converted for Algeria's second point of the
campaign.
There had been earlier tension between the two players, with
Brahimi fortunate to remain on the pitch after receiving a yellow card
following a headbutt on the right-back.
With qualification already secured, Nigeria coach Gernot
Rohr made five changes to the side which started against Zambia, with Ola Aina,
John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho and debutant Anthony Nwakaeme all
coming into the side.
The unfamiliar personnel lead to a disjointed display early
on, with Brahimi threatening from the opening minute.
However, Nigeria also boasted a threat of their own, with
Iheanacho showing the kind of intelligent movement and dangerous change of pace
in advanced areas that hasn't been prevalent since he signed for Leicester City
this summer.
Neither side created much during the first half, with any
attempts at attractive, progressive football hampered by dire pitch conditions.
Nwakaeme had a weak speculative effort saved, and directed
another shot at the goalkeeper after the break, while Liassine Cadamuro
squandered two opportunities to head the hosts in front when Ikechukwu Ezenwa
and his defence failed to deal with Brahimi's corner kicks.
Brahimi had the opportunity to break the deadlock on the
hour mark but missed from two yards out, before Nigeria - perhaps spurred into
life by their let off - stepped up a gear to take the lead when Ogu curled home
a delightful volley past Fawzi Chaouchi.
John Ogu's goal for the Super Eagles pic.twitter.com/gowIFVhPEQ— Steve Dede (@DizSteve) November 10, 2017
The goal had appeared likely to settle the contest and
ensure the Super Eagles ended their fine campaign on a winning note, before the
referee's late intervention.
In case you missed it, Brahimi's "penalty" called in the 88th minute, good thing neither team had anything to play for today #ALGNGA pic.twitter.com/NQc94lFZxV— Walid Bylka (@bylka613) November 10, 2017
Nigeria finished the campaign on 14 points having taken
their unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying to 37 games, while Algeria remain
at the foot of Group B on two points.
Zambia -- second on seven -- and third-placed Cameroon on
six meet in Ndola on Saturday in their final group game.
