CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Nigeria moved a point away from Africa’s final World Cup playoffs as a pair of penalties saw off Liberia 2-0, AP reported.
Tunisia blew its chance of reaching the 10-team playoffs with a game to spare by losing in Equatorial Guinea in a big shock. Those two are now tied at the top of their group and a tense finish is in store there too.
Victor Osimhen drilled home the first spot kick for Nigeria against Liberia in the 15th minute, and was fouled for Ahmed Musa to add a second goal from the spot deep into injury time. Liberia goalkeeper Boison Wynney gave away both penalties with reckless challenges.
The victory kept Nigeria top of Group C by two points and needing just a draw at home to second-place Cape Verde on Tuesday in the final group games to reach the playoffs.
Cape Verde, the island nation that made a big impact by reaching the quarter-finals at its first African Cup in 2013, is still in contention after coming from behind to beat Central African Republic 2-1, helped by Julio Tavares’ overhead volley with his back to goal.
But Cape Verde faces the tough task of keeping its World Cup dream alive against Nigeria in Lagos.
Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire will meet Tuesday in Cameroon with everything to play for in Group D.
Côte d’Ivoire beat Mozambique 3-0 to reclaim the lead of the group by a point from Cameroon.
Cameroon had earlier ruthlessly punished Malawi 4-0 after the Malawians had John Banda sent off in the 21st minute for blocking Vincent Aboubakar’s shot with his hand on the goal line.
Aboubakar knocked home the penalty to make it 1-0.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa hit the goal of the game by controlling a corner on the edge of the area and volleying in to put Cameroon 2-0 ahead.
Christian Bassogog scored two goals in two minutes near the end, although Malawi was already well beaten.
Leicester’s Patson Daka scored Zambia’s first goal in a 4-0 mauling of Mauritania in Group B.
Fashion Sakala then took over to net a hat trick. Zambia’s hopes of making the playoffs are alive, if only just, as it trails Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea by three points.
Only the 10 group winners reach the play-offs, which will be held in March.
Tunisia is at home to Zambia and Equatorial Guinea travels to Mauritania, which has been eliminated.
Tunisia could have decided the group with a win in Equatorial Guinea but Pablo Ganet swept home the winner there for Equatorial Guinea with seven minutes to go to shock the Tunisians and set off wild celebrations.
Cameroon had temporarily moved top of the group with their 4-0 victory Malawi, but Les Elephants ensured they moved back top, the victory over the Mambas taking them to 13 points, one ahead of the Indomitable Lions who they play in their last match in Douala on Tuesday.
Maxwell Cornet and Max Alain Gradel combined twice while Jean Michael Seri added a third to give Cote d’Ivoire the vital three points.
Under pressure to pick victory after Cameroon won earlier on, the Ivorians started strong and Sebastian Haller tested the keeper early on with a strong shot from the right that was palmed away.
They got into the lead in the 10th minute when Gradel slid in to guide home a well weighted cross from Cornet.
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