Super Eagles battle hosts Black Stars of Ghana to a standstill

Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia taste victory, as Morocco snatch draw in DR Congo

Chances of Nigeria picking a ticket to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar brightened this Friday night, March 25, after the Super Eagles battled hosts Black Stars of Ghana to a standstill in the first leg of the final qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Nigeria appeared heading for victory late in the game when a penalty was given against Idrissu Baba for handball in the Ghana area – but subsequently the referee looked at the replay and seems to have decided that Idrissu was fouled in the build-up.

The second leg will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria, on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Egypt beat visiting Senegal with an own goal in Cairo.

Meanwhile, veteran forward Islam Slimani scored five minutes before half-time to give Algeria a 1-0 win over Cameroon in Douala.

Slimani soared in a crowded goalmouth to powerfully head a Youcef Belaili free-kick past goalkeeper Andre Onana into the roof of the net.

Even 11 minutes of added time could not bring Cameroon an equaliser and they must now win in Blida on Tuesday to avoid missing successive World Cup tournaments.

Also, earlier on the night, an own goal gave Carthage Eagles of Tunisia an away win in Mali.

Tarik Tissoudali scored a brilliant equaliser as Morocco moved closer to a sixth World Cup appearance by drawing 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa. 

A move that began with a superb slide tackle by Moroccan defender Romain Saiss ended with Tissoudali rifling the ball into the net on 76 minutes in the first leg of their play-off.

Yoane Wissa had given DR Congo a 12th-minute lead, sprinting down the wing, cutting inside, and unleashing a shot from just outside the box that brushed Saiss and beat goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

With away goals counting double if teams finish level on aggregate, a 0-0 draw in Casablanca on Tuesday would take Morocco to the World Cup in Qatar.