Algeria held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in their final Russia 2018 World
Cup Qualifying series at the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui on Friday evening,
Goal.com reports.
A late spot-kick from captain Yacine Brahimi cancelled out John
Ogu’s stunning 63rd minute opener to deprive Gernot Rohr’s side -
already qualified for the quadrennial showpiece - their second away
victory of a successful campaign.
With the match of less importance to the Super Eagles - and
injuries to key members of the squad, Gernot Rohr rang the changes, most
notably with a fresh forward line as Hapoel Beer Sheva's Anthony
Nwakaeme, flanked by Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi, was handed his
international debut.
Wilfried Ndidi was retained in midfield alongside Oghenekaro Etebo
and John Ogu. Leon Balogun was handed the captain armband as John Obi
Mikel watched from the sidelines.
After 3 days of hard work and planning in a very friendly, conducive environment in Rabat, Morocco, we set out for Constantine, Algeria this morning #SoarSuperEagles. pic.twitter.com/hLIfFZiFfD— ๐ณ๐ฌ Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 9, 2017
We have arrived safely in Constantine, Algeria.— ๐ณ๐ฌ Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 9, 2017
The reception by the Algerian people was very warm and cordial #SoarSuperEagles. pic.twitter.com/lS9nIm95qF
In the absence of first choice left-back, Elderson Echiejile, Ola
Aina got his first start as the only change in the Eagles' rearguard.
Both sides threatened with their opening exchanges as Islam Slimani
directed a firm header off target in the 23rd second while his
Leicester teammate Iheanacho's cross from the right found no one at the
other end.
Algeria through their front trio of Riyad Mahrez, Slimani and
Brahimi then piled pressure on the visitors’ defence but all yielded no
result.
Carl Medjani’s 12th minute piledriver off a corner strayed off
target with Ikechuwkwu Ezenwa unshaken. And in the 33rd minute,
Abdullahi Shehu’s clearance off a right-wing cross - with Slimani
waiting to bury into an unguarded net - ensured the Super Eagles were
still in the game.
— The NFF ๐ณ๐ฌ (@thenff) November 10, 2017
The first half revolved around the Eagles’ half with Nwakaeme less
involved in the game until two minutes before the interval when he had a
left-footed effort off Iheanacho's freekick saved by Faouzi Chaouchi.
Early in the second half, Rabah Madjer’s men threatened first
through Slimani but Balogun was on hand to thwart his effort after a
smart Mahrez freekick. Moments later, Chaouchi matched Iwobi's quality
after saving the Arsenal man left-footed drive from the edge of the
area. But there was nothing the goalkeeper could do in the 63rd minute
when Ogu bent an effort into the net from distance to hand Rohr’s men
the lead.
— The NFF ๐ณ๐ฌ (@thenff) November 10, 2017
However, with four minutes before full time, Brahimi equalised from
the spot for the Algerians after the Porto man was adjudged to have
been fouled by Shehu Abdullahi.
The game ended in a draw and it gave Madjer's men their first point
in six qualifying games while the Super Eagles finished the series
unbeaten.
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