CAF Confirms Head To Head Rule …Cup Of Nations 2012

CAF has confirmed that head to head will be the first tie-breaker in the event of two teams finishing level on points in the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier.

A statement from the CAF Media Officer laid out the criteria for deciding group placement at the end of the final round of matches, with points from the group matches between the teams involved being the first decider.

According to Article 14 of the Competition Regulations in case of equality of points between two or more teams, after all the group matches, the ranking of the teams shall be established according to the following criteria;

14.1 Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the concerned teams;

14.2 Best goal difference in the matches between the concerned teams;

14.3 Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the concerned teams;

14.4 Greater number of away goals scored in the direct matches between the concerned teams;

14.5 Goal difference in all the group matches;

14.6 Greatest number of goals scored in all the group matches;

14.7 A drawing of lots by the Organising Committee of CAF

This means that Nigeria will have to beat Guinea by at least two clear goals to top the group and guarantee qualification.

If the Super Eagles win by 1-0, they will be level on all the other criteria and will have to endure a drawing of lots.

If Guinea score in Abuja, and lose by only one goal, they top the group and qualify, and the Super Eagles will have to hope to be one of two best placed finishers.