Yacine
Brahimi scored a late penalty to help Algeria register a 1-1 draw against
Nigeria in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in
Constantine on Friday night.
The
Algerian skipper scored the last gasp penalty with two minutes remaining to cancel out John
Ogu's rasping effort as the Super Eagles ended their qualifying campaign
unbeaten with 14 points from six fixtures.
As
for the Fennec Foxes, the North African's failed to win a single game and as a
result Group B paints a gloomy picture for a side brimming with European-based
stars.
Leicester
City duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani almost linked up for the game's opener
within the opening minute, while the towering forward was unable to guide his
header attempt on target.
Both
teams struggled to find any sort of rhythm on what was a bumpy pitch, with the
rest of the half a rather scrappy affair.
The
game really started to kick into life following the interval and Algeria
should've hit the front on the hour mark, but Aissa Mandi somehow failed to
find the back of the net with his header attempt from point-blank range.
He
was made to pay for the miss as Ogu struck home the game's opener in the 63rd
minute, with his left-footed shot from range leaving the Algerian goal-minder
with little chance.
Slimani
then failed to convert when it looked easier to score on what was quickly
turning into a frustrating night for the hosts, with the forward guiding his
shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Ikechukwu
Ezenwa, was eventually beaten as Brahimi converted from the spot in the 88th minute
after a controversial foul inside the area.
The
Porto winger conjuring a point for Algeria to bring an end to a disappointing
campaign as Nigeria now set their sights on Russia and the world stage.
Algeria (0) 1 (Brahimi PEN 88')
Nigeria (0) 1 (Ogu 63')
Algeria: Chaouchi, Mandi, Cadamuro, Chafaï, Nessakh (Abdelaoui 30'),
Medjani, Ferhat, Bennacer (Bounedjah 76') , Mahrez (Hanni 56'), Brahimi,
Slimani.
Nigeria: Ezenwa; Abdullahi, Ola Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Etebo, J.Ogu, Ndidi,
Nwakaeme (Onyekuru 71'), Iwobi (Musa 81'), Iheanacho.
No comments:
Post a Comment