West African giants
Ivory Coast and Nigeria put a foot into the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after
both nations emerged victorious in their World Cup qualifier matches.
The Ivorian Elephants dispatched Senegal 3-1 in Abidjan on
Saturday while Nigeria had to come from a goal behind to dismiss a
hard-fighting Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
A penalty from veteran target man Didier Drogba and an own
goal by Senegalese Lamine Sane saw Sabri Lamouchi’s side take a 2-0 first half
lead. Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou put the result of the game beyond
doubt with a second half strike. Papiis Cisse riffled in in stoppage time to
ensure the Teranga Lions left with an away goal heading into the second leg
which will be played in Morocco.
Burkina Faso also put themselves on pole with a 3-2 win over
Algeria. Jonathan Pitroipa gave the Burkinabes the lead towards the end of the
first half, the Stade Rennais finishing with a lovely header. Sofiane Feghouli
tapped in after the restart to draw the Algerians level only for Burkina to
take the lead again thanks to Djakaridja Kone’s fine individual effort.
Algeria restored parity barely three minutes later, Carl
Medjnai heading home from unmarked position but the North Africans were denied
a point from the first leg when Zambian referee Janny Sizakwe handed Burkina a
penalty which was tucked home by Aristide Bance.
On Sunday, Nigeria had Emmanuel Emenike to thank after the
Fenerbahce forward scored a brace to help the Super Eagles seal an unlikely 2-1
win over Ethiopia. The Walya Antelopes had Nigeria on the back foot for most
time in the game and took the lead in the 56th minute through Behalu
Assefa. However, Nigeria hit back in the 67th minute with Emenike
finding the back of the net with a stunning strike before slotting home a 90th
minute penalty to ensure the Super Eagles will travel back home in Calabar with
a 2-1 advantage. Tunisia and Cameroon played to an entertaining barren draw in
the other qualifier.
And That's thesteifmastertake!!
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