Super Eagles finish 2018 World Cup qualifiers unbeaten

The Super Eagles of Nigeria concluded their race to the 2018 World Cup finals without losing a match, as they played out a 1-1 draw against Algeria in their final qualifier on Friday night.

Having already sealed their place in Russia next summer, the Eagles played against the Fennecs without pressure and got ahead in the game after John Ogu scored with a superb curler after the break.

The home side had a lot of chances early in the game, as well as the Eagles, but the first half ended goalless.

Nigeria were almost heading for a win before Yacine Brahimi drew the hosts level from the penalty spot on 88 minutes after Abdullahi was controversially adjudged to have fouled him.

Read also: Eagles face Algeria today in dead rubber World Cup qualifier

Brahimi, who had gone down easily throughout the game, was not appealing this time as Abdullahi made minimal contact. But the referee pointed to the spot to the surprise of both sets of players and the spectators.

The draw means the Eagles finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten on 14 points while Algeria finished bottom on two points and without a win in the race to the finals.

The group’s other teams Zambia, on seven points, and Cameroon, on six points, will meet in another dead rubber encounter in Ndola on Saturday.

As preparations ahead of the World Cup continues, the Eagles will play Argentina next in an international friendly in Russia on Tuesday, November 14.

 

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