AFCON 2019: Nigeria Lands Safely In Cameroon As Libya Keeps Hope Alive

• South Africa holds Nigeria 1 – 1
• Libya humbles Seychelles 8 – 1

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Nigeria’s Super Eagles safely landed in Cameroon for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament on Saturday as they were held to a one-all draw by their hosts, Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The biennial continental showpiece is scheduled to hold in Cameroon from June 7 to June 30, 2019.

After missing the last two editions of the continental football carnival, the result was enough for the Eagles who only needed a draw to qualify.

Without top scorer, Odion Ighalo and suspended midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi on parade, Nigeria stunned the South Africans in the 10th minute as homeboy, Buhle Mkhwanazi scored an own goal when he mismanaged a dangerous swinging cross from Eagles’ Samuel Kalu.

Overcoming this early setback, the South Africans were on the front foot and leveled up proceedings when Percy Tau delivered a wonderful assist that Lebo Mothiba easily tucked in beyond Ezenwa in goal for Nigeria.

With proceedings stalemated at 1-1 at half time, the second forty-five minutes commenced on a fast pace as Bafana Bafana piled up pressure on the Super Eagles.

Though the home fans had a great outing with vociferous support for their team in the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, the score-line remained unchanged despite several attempts at goal from both sides.

In the other Group E pairing, third placed Libya humiliated hosts Seychelles 8-1 in Victoria to keep their qualification hopes alive

The result now puts them on seven points with a match left in the group. Leaders Nigeria has 10 points followed by South Africa with nine points.

Five second half goals, including Anis Saltou’s hat-trick at the Stade Linite boosted Libya’s confidence for a ticket to Cameroon next year.

Motasem Sabbou opened scoring for the Libyans in the third minute with Saltou extending their lead 18 minutes later. Saltou got his brace in the 32nd minute and Khalid Almaryami netted the fourth nine minutes into the second half.

Four minutes later, Salem Baleid made it five while Saltou grabbed his hat-trick and the fourth in the qualifiers in the 62nd minute.

Seychelles’ consolation goal came in the 72nd minute through Perry Monnaie but it could not stop the Libyans from adding two more goals from Rabia Alshadi and Hamdou Elhouni to further compound the host nation’s misery before the end of regulation time. – With agency reports

GROUP E AFCON STANDINGS