Nigeria Hold Tunisia To Draw

Tunisia still lead Group Two of African World Cup qualifying after nearest rivals Nigeria hold them to a 0-0 draw at the November 7 Stadium in Rades, near Tunis, on Sunday.

After three matches, Tunisia are on seven points, two points ahead of second-placed Nigeria. Kenya, who defeated Mozambique 2-1 also on Saturday, are third in the group with three points.

First Half

The host team were led by Karim Haggui, while the very experienced Radhi Jaidi was dropped to the bench.

Nigeria, on the other hand, made four changes to the starting team that beat Kenya at home two weeks ago with Everton defender Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo from Olympique Marseille, Chelsea's Mikel John Obi and right fullback Olubayo Adefemi all back in the fray.

The Super Eagles kicked off this crunch game, but it was the Tunisians who really launched into attack in search of an early go-ahead goal.

Within the first 15 minutes Nigeria conceded three corner kicks as the North African outfit dictated the pace of the game.

The closest the home team came to going ahead was in the 16th minute when Seif Ghezel was allowed a free header off another Tunisian corner inside the box, but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama did well to scramble the ball to safety.

It was not till about the 20th minute that the Nigerian Eagles put together their first real attack when Obinna Nsofor dashed free of his marker on the left wing, but his final cross beat he lone Nigerian striker inside the box as well as the Tunisian defenders.


Before the half hour, both Dele Adeleye and Yobo had to come to Nigeria's rescue as Tunisia continued to mount pressure.

It was therefore a frustrated Tunisia that let in Nigeria towards the closing stages of the first period to make two fine efforts at goal. First, Kalu Uche shot wide from the top of the box and moments later, Nsofor tested the reflexes of Kasroui with a shot from inside the 18-yard area.

Second Half

At the restart, Tunisia continued to attack.

Anis Boussaidi was fouled by Taiwo on the left side of the vital area but Tunisia could not make anything out of the eventual free kick as Nigeria continued to hang on for dear life.

The goal hero against Mozambique two weeks ago, Oussama Darragi, was lively in the Tunisia frontline but Yobo always kept a close watch over him.

The Super Eagles made two changes soon after with Nwankwo Kanu in the ineffective Kalu Uche and Michael Eneramo replacing injured Nsofor.

The Carthage Eagles continued to attack but not with the same tempo of the first half.

In one of the few Nigerian attacks in this half, Taiwo tried one of his trademark thunderbolts, although it did not trouble the Tunisian goalkeeper.


Eneramo would have emerged as a hero late on in the game, but he failed to direct a cross delivered by Osaze Odemwingie with the Tunisian defence beaten.

Adeleye in the heart of the Nigerian defence was outstanding as he did not put a foot wrong as Tunisia pressed on for a goal.

However, as the minutes ticked away, the host team appeared frustrated while Nigeria were only too happy to hold out for a result on the hope that they will take all three points when both teams clash again in September in Abuja.