Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1: Eagles make a point in Yaounde, need one point to reach Russia

Cameroon merely delayed Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup ticket celebration even as the African champions were themselves eliminated from the race in a crunchy game that ended 1-1 in Yaounde on Monday.

In the event, the Super Eagles will qualify for their sixth FIFA World Cup finals with one point from their last two matches of the campaign.

Just as they did in Uyo on Friday, the Indomitable Lions started with some pace and passion, but they were immediately matched by a confident Super Eagles pumped up by the 4-0 thrashing of the African champions three days earlier.

As early as the 7^th minute, Nigeria had started searching for the goal that would put them in the ascendancy and straight to Russia, but Sebastien Siami headed away a floated free –kick by Victor Moses.

Two minutes later, when Jean Pierre Nsame, surprisingly preferred to Vincent Aboubakar, was gifted an opportunity as Fabrice Olinga drilled the ball into Nigeria’s box, but he wasted it. In the 14^th minute, Moses, full of running as he was in Uyo, earned a corner from a breezy run.

On the half hour, Nigeria got the lead that their self –assured approach deserved when Odion Ighalo, giving as much trouble to the Cameroonian defence as he did three days earlier, latched onto a Moses’ pass and got the ball into the box. It was returned, but a lurking Abdullahi Shehu floated it back, and Moses Simon rifled into the roof of Fabrice Ondoa’s net.

Ighalo and Moses threatened the Lions’ defence further, and in the second half, Nigeria continued where they left off as Moses continued to prove quite a menace to the hosts while goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa would not allow any ball past him.

On the hour mark, Cameroon coach Hugo Broos brought on Christian Bassogog and Aboubakar, which enlivened the Lions’ game, and after Moses came close to getting a second for Nigeria with a deft chip that missed narrowly, referee Papa Gassama duly pointed to the penalty spot after Ezenwa foiled Arnaud Njoum in the box in the 73^rd minute. Aboubakar scored to level up.

Nigeria could have won it as Moses went for goal from a free kick in the 81^st minute only to miss narrowly, and he did not direct a final effort well enough.

Yet, the Eagles deserve commendation for putting in a good shift at the Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo.