Sports
CHAN: Morocco Beats Holders Tunisia, Nigeria Overwhelms Cote d’Ivoire
Morocco shocked title-holders Tunisia and Nigeria overpowered Ivory Coast in 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
A brace from star midfielder Sunday Mba helped Nigeria trounce nine-man Ivory Coast 4-1 in Kaduna and virtually seal a place in the finals for the first time.
Morocco is equally well-placed to compete in South Africa next January after a 1-0 win away to Tunisia via a late Abdessamad Mbarki goal.
Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso built leads at home in other matches while a FIFA ban forced Cameroon to cancel their fixture against Gabon.
Nigeria ‘s Super Eagles are strongly positioned to progress in a competition restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth. Coach Stephen Keshi took eight local stars to the Confederations Cup in Brazil last month and all were in the squad to face the Ivorians.
Although a home victory was expected for Nigeria, Ivory Coast did not help themselves by having Roger Assale and Baresi Gloudeaou sent off in the second half. Nigeria was already 3-1 ahead at that point, and Ifeanyi Benjamin added just one more goal to the score-line.
Star midfielder Sunday Mba had already punished Ivory Coast by scoring in each half and Gambo Mohammed was the other Nigerian marksman. Mba also scored the winner when Nigeria eliminated pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast this year en route to winning the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Tiecoura Koulibaly was on target for the visitors just before the break to leave The Elephants trailing 2-1 at half-time.
Elsewhere, two second-half red cards to Moroccans Mohamed Aberhoune and Salaheddine Essaidi could not prevent Tunisia losing in the Mediterranean resort of Sousse. Seeking a first appearance at the finals, Morocco snatched victory in the final minute when Mbarki finished off a swift counterattack. While most second legs are scheduled for the end of July, the north African rivals meet again next weekend in coastal city Tangier.
Mali came from behind to overcome Guinea 3-1 in Bamako through goals from Moussa Kone, Cheick Doumbia and Drissa Traore. Guinea , who squeezed past Sierra Leone on away goals in the preliminary round, went ahead on eighth minutes through Sambegou Bangoura.
Yannick Gomis scored nine minutes after half-time to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over minnows Mauritania in Dakar. The Mauritanians beat Liberia home and away to reach the first round and are trying to reach the finals of a CAF competition for the first time.
A solitary goal also settled the match between Burkina Faso and Niger in Ouagadougou with substitute Issouf Kabore scoring for the home side, and Burundi drew 1-1 with Sudan in Bujumbura. Tambwe Amissi put Burundi ahead with Salah Ibrahim equalising for Sudan from the penalty spot.
FIFA banned Cameroon over state meddling in the running of football, leading to the cancellation of their fixture with Gabon in Yaounde.
Hosts South Africa are automatic participants in the 2014 tournament and will be joined by 15 nations after region-based qualifiers.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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