Tunisia scored early and Nigeria late on Sunday to ensure a thrilling 2010 World Cup Group B qualifying race in Africa will go down to the wire next month.
France-based striker Issam Jomaa struck in the first minute as Tunisia won 1-0 against Kenya in Rades while Victor Nsofor of Spanish club Malaga netted three minutes into stoppage time as Nigeria pipped Mozambique 1-0 in Abuja.
The results left the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia two points above the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the leaders after the Nov. 14 final fixtures qualifying for the world tournament in South Africa.
Tunisia visit Mozambique and Nigeria travel to Kenya and while the two hosts have been out of the World Cup reckoning for some time, they are fighting to finish third and claim a place at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.
All seemed lost for three-time World Cup qualifiers Nigeria as a dour tussle with well-organized and slick Mozambique drifted into added time at a far-from-full 60,000-seat National Stadium.
But the Mambas resistance finally cracked after 93 minutes when a parry by goalkeeper Joao Kapango was crossed into the goalmouth and unmarked 22-year-old Nsofor nodded in.
Had Nigeria drawn they would have failed to reach a second consecutive World Cup after a shock second-place finish behind Angola in the 2006 qualifying tournament for Germany.
Both teams were foiled by the woodwork in a cagey encounter Nigeria dominated territorially only to be let down by a blunt strike force and spectacular Kapango saves.
Tunisia, who came from behind twice to force a draw in Nigeria last month, made the perfect start with unmarked Jomaa heading past goalkeeper Willis Ochieng after just 60 seconds.
But the North Africans, seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive World Cup appearance by an African team, could not build on the early advantage and must win in Maputo to be certain of qualifying.
Algeria came from behind to defeat Rwanda 3-1 in Blida and regain a three-point advantage over African champions Egypt, who will host a top-of-the-table Group C clash next month.
Mafisango Mutesa stunned the Desert Foxes with an early goal, but Siena striker Abdelkader Ghezzal leveled soon after.
Portsmouth full-back Nadir Belhadj put Algeria ahead in first-half stoppage time before VfL Wolfsburg’s Karim Ziani converted a late penalty.
Ghana, who last month became the first African country to qualify for the 2010 finals after hosts South Africa, surrendered the last 100 percent record in the final round when falling 1-0 against Benin in Cotonou.
The Benin “Squirrels” were impressively led by Nigerian-born striker Razack Omotoyossi and dominated without reward until France-based striker Mohamed Aoudou scored two minutes into stoppage time.
“We’re satisfied to have won at home, and especially scoring against Ghana, which didn’t need the win,” Benin coach Michel Dussuyer said. “I am proud of my boys.”
Ghana picked a full-strength team, including Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan, for the game at the Stade de l’Amitie.
There was also a late winner in the other Group D fixture with 2008 African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute scoring one minute from full-time to earn dominant Mali a 1-0 victory over Sudan in Bamako.
The leading scorer in the qualifying competitions, Qatar-based Moumouni Dagano, raised his tally to 11 with the first goal as Burkina Faso ended a two-match Group E losing streak courtesy of a 2-1 win over Guinea in Accra.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported ￡400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported ￡400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported ￡900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically
RSS