Yacine Brahimi helps Algeria hold Nigeria

Yacine BRAHIMI of Algeria challenged by Alexander IWOBI of Nigeria during the Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria vs Algeria on November, 12th 2016 at Godswill Akpabio Stadium ©Kabiru Abubakar//Backpagepix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Nov 10, 2017. 23:46

Algeria and Nigeria drew 1-1 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiaction (CAF) Group B match at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui on Friday night.

The draw sees Algeria finish the qualifying campaign winless, while Nigeria, who are the Group B winners, will take part in next year's finals in Russia.

The Desert Warriors should have broken the deadlock through England-based centre forward Islam Slimani a minute into the match.

But the striker's header from the centre of the box missed the target following a good cross by Zinedine Ferhat, who plays for Le Havre in France.

The Super Eagles also threatened through Tony Nwakaeme, who was making his debut for Nigeria, in the 15th minute as the visitors looked to take the lead.

The striker's right footed shot from outside the box was well saved by Algeria's 33-year-old goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi.

Algeria were then forced to make a change on the half-hour mark as Ayoub Abdellaoui replaced Chemseddine Nessakh, who was injured.

The last chance of the first-half for Nwakaeme and was denied by Chaouchi on the stroke of half-time and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

Chaouchi was called into action 10 minutes after the restart and he pulled off a great save to deny Nigerian attacker Alex Iwobi.

Aissa Mandi, the Algeria midfielder, had a glorious opportunity to make it 1-0 to his side in the 61st minute, but he headed over the crossbar close range.

The hosts were left to rue that missed chance as Nigeria broke the dealdlock a minute later through John Ogu, who scored with a beautiful left-footed long range shot to make it 1-0 to Nigeria.

It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages of the match as Slimani missed the target from close range with Nigeria keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa well-beaten.

Algeria were then awarded a late penalty after Yacinie Brahimi was fouled in the box and forward stepped up, and beat Ezenwa to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 a draw.

Algeria (0) 1 (Brahimi 88')
Nigeria (0) 1 (Ogu 62')

Algeria XI: Haouchi, Mandi, Cadamuro, Chafaï, Nessakh (Abdellaoui 30'), Medjani, Ferhat, Bennacer (Boundjah 75'), Mahrez (Hanni 65') Brahimi, Slimani.

Nigeria XI: Ezenwa, Abdullahi, Ola Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Etebo, J.Ogu, Ndidi, Nwakeme (Onyekuru 70'), Iwobi (Musa 81'), Iheanacho.