2022 World Cup: Nigeria in favorable waivers, Tunisia cracks

Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa on June 22, 2018 during the World Cup in Russia.

AP - Darko vojinovic

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

4 min

The suspense is far from over in groups B and C of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers (second round) after the results of Saturday, November 13.

Nigeria won against Liberia (2-0), but Cape Verde's victory over Central African Republic (2-1) keeps the Super Eagles under pressure.

Tunisia, she suffered a very frustrating defeat against Equatorial Guinea (1-0).

The Eagles of Carthage will not be allowed to make mistakes on the 6th and final day.

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Present in Russia at the last World Cup, will Tunisia and Nigeria seek a new qualification next March?

It is not taken for granted.

If the Super Eagles are well placed to be among the 10 play-offs, the Carthage Eagles are in the hard after their poor performance on Saturday.

Defeated, Tunisia finds itself under threat from Equatorial Guinea and Zambia

After Zambia's large victory against Mauritania earlier (4-0), Tunisia had the cards in hand to secure first place in Group B. A victory in Malabo against Equatorial Guinea would have opened the doors to the country. 3rd round, that of the qualifying play-offs for the World Cup in Qatar.

The scenario turned out to be much harsher for visitors.

Captain Wahbi Khazri and his teammates got a few dangerous situations but could not convert a single one, the fault of a lack of precision. And the sanction ended up falling at the end of the game when the Equatorial Guinea supported an offensive. Pablo Ganet inherited a ball that was trailing in the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot on which Farouk Ben Mustapha had to bow (84th).

This first setback seriously complicates the task of coach Mondher Kebaier and his men.

They remain leaders of Group B, but Equatorial Guinea comes back to their height with 10 points as well, while Zambia is third with 7 points.

Tunisia has for it an advantageous goal difference (+7 against +1 for Equatorial Guinea and Zambians).

But she will not be entitled to the error on November 16 during the last day (Tunisia-Zambia and Mauritania-Equatorial Guinea).

► To read also: World Cup 2022: calendar and results of qualifying Africa

Nigeria wins but is not immune

Nigeria will have to whip until the end of the qualifiers. The defeat conceded in October in added time against the Central African Republic still has repercussions in mid-November. Admittedly, Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles did the right thing in Tangier, Morocco, against an already eliminated Liberia. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring from the penalty spot quickly (15th). Then, the Naples striker got a new penalty, this time transformed by Ahmed Musa (90th + 4). This 2-0 victory is not enough to secure Nigeria first place in Group C.

Because at the same time, in Mindelo, Cape Verde overthrew the Central African Republic.

Isaac Ngoma, 18, opened the scoring for the visitors early in the game (11th).

At that time, and for long minutes, Nigeria had their ticket to the dams.

Until the Tubarões Azuls (Blue Sharks) turn things around after the break.

Cape Verde tears up for a "final"

Julio Tavares, the former Dijon scorer now at Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia, equalized in the 51st minute. And in the 75th minute, defender Stopira headed from a corner to give Cape Verde the lead. The Central Africans railed, believing that one of them had repelled the ball before it crossed the goal line. But the referee, Ghanaian Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, did not hear it that way. He had to crack down on members of the Central African staff, furious at the edge of the field.

Nigeria remains at the top of Group C with 12 points (+6 goal difference) ahead of Cape Verde with 10 points (+2 goal difference).

The match between the two teams in Lagos on November 16 will be a new "final".

The Cape Verdeans will have to win to take first place.

The Super Eagles will keep it in the event of a win or draw.

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  • Sports

  • Soccer

  • World Cup 2022

  • Nigeria

  • Liberia

  • Tunisia

  • Equatorial Guinea

  • Green cap

  • Central African Republic