Sudan defeats Nigeria in African Nations Cup qualifying

Tweet

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel, left, defends against Sudan's Muhannad El Tahir on Saturday. Sudan defeated Nigeria 1-0

African champions Nigeria slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Sudan and are bottom of Group A with just one point from three games in African Nations Cup qualifying. The setback was inflicted by Bakri Almadina's goal and increases the pressure on Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

Meanwhile, South Africa moved to the top of the group after a 2-0 win at previous leaders Congo. Two goals in three minutes just after halftime, from Bongani Ndulula and Tokelo Rantie, earned victory for Bafana Bafana.

The top two in Group B, Algeria and Mali, each claimed 2-0 away wins, at Malawi and Ethiopia respectively.

Algeria took the lead through Rafik Halliche's 11th minute strike and made the points safe when Djamel Mesbah scored in second half stoppage time.

Mali's goals were scored by Abdoulaye Diaby and Sambou Yatabare.

After Lesotho and Angola drew 0-0 on Friday, Gabon went top of Group C with a 2-0 home win against Burkina Faso. Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero, scoring in the 67th and 74th minutes.

In Group D, a late goal from Max Gradel saw Ivory Coast win 2-1 at DR Congo and, in doing so, closed the gap on leaders Cameroon to one point. The Indomitable Lions were held 0-0 by Sierra Leone.

Just two points separate the four teams in Group E after leaders Ghana were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea. The Black Stars looked set for victory after Asamoah Gyan gave them a first half lead only for Ibrahima Traore to level in the 80th minute.

In the group's other game, Togo claimed their first win of qualifying with a 1-0 victory in Uganda.

Cape Verde's lead at the top of Group F was cut to one point after they were beaten 2-0 by Mozambique, who stay in second place. Zambia and Niger played out a goalless draw in the group's other encounter.

All of the action in Group G took place on Friday. The top two, Senegal and Tunisia, drew 0-0 in Dakar while seven-time African champions Egypt finally won their first qualifier for the 2015 tournament by beating Botswana 2-0.

Qualifying continues on Wednesday when the weekend fixtures are reversed.

Source: http://www.espnfc.com