Nigerians Sneak in as Mozambique Shock Carthage Eagles

Super Eagles Pip Carthage Eagles

Nigeria and Cameroon have qualified for the World Cup in South Africa. They join the host nation, Ivory Coast and Ghana as the African representatives in the finals. One of Egypt and Algeria will complete the set. A Dario Monteiro goal for Mozambique against Tunisia seven minutes from time has provided the first shock of a crucial World Cup Saturday. Monteiro plays for SuperSport United in South Africa and his goal denied the Tunisians, but provided an opportunity for Nigeria to capitalise. First they had to win a tricky tie in Kenya taking place at the same time. Their cause wasn’t helped when they went behind to an early Dennis Oliech goal in the sixteenth minute and trailed at half time.

However in the second period, Obafemi Martins and Joseph Yakubu scored twice in three minutes to give them a shock lead, as Mozambique and Tunisia remained level. At that point, existing results would have been good enough to see Nigeria through but Kenya equalised through substitute Allan Wanga eleven minutes before the end.

That could have been a disaster for Nigeria as they needed to pick up points on Tunisia and both sides were drawing. But with just seven minutes remaining in both games, Monteiro struck to sink Tunisia, a result that would still have seen them through if things remained the same at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. However seconds later, Martins struck again to give Nigeria the lead and send them to South Africa.

Cameroon will join Nigeria after a 0-2 win in Morocco. Goals from Real Mallorca’s Pierre Achille Webó Kouamo and Inter Milan’s Samuel Eto’o secured the points and put paid to Gabon’s fading hopes. Gabon lost their third consecutive game of the group in Togo.

Algeria and Egypt are playing in Cairo in a match redolent with non soccer overtones. Egypt need to win 2-0 to force a play-off with Algeria in neutral Sudan. Anything less than the Algerians will qualify. Amr Zaki has given Egypt a second minute lead. That remained the scoreline for 89 minutes, until Al-Ittihad striker Emad Moteab broke Algerian hearts with a second. The two will have to play again to settle the final African place.

Full World Cup Round ups

Kiwis Beat Bahrain for First Finals in 28 Years

European Qualifiers Round up

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