Nigeria’s 2010 Fate Out Of Their Own Hands
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Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup suffered a major blow on Sunday evening as the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Tunisia at the National Stadium in Abuja.
Looking to defeat the North Africans and leapfrog to the top of Group B, Nigeria conceded late equaliser to Tunisian midfielder Darragi Ouama that has left their fate out of their own hands and handed the impetus to the Carthage Eagles.
Nigeria opened the scoring midway through the first half when Osaze Odemwingie scythed through the visitors’ defence and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
However, Tunisia hit back just two minutes later when midfielder Silti Nabil fired a stunning long range strike that gave goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama no chance whatsoever.The hosts dominated the second half but struggled to break down the North Africans’ defence. In fact it was Tunisia who came closest to adding to the score when left-back Taye Taiwo deflected a Ben Saada Chaduki pass onto his own crossbar.
The Super Eagles regained the lead with ten minutes to play when Michael Eneramo scored from close range following an excellent passing move, but Tunisia’s Darragi took advantage of some slack defending to score from a tight angle in the 89th minute and silence the Abuja crowd.
Tunisia top the group with eight points, Nigeria trail in second by two points. There are two further rounds of qualifiers left to play.
