Tunisia play Nigeria to nil draw

21/06/2009

Even though the Carthage Eagles had the home pitch advantage over the Super Eagles for the World Cup qualifier Saturday, they failed to score a single goal.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 21/06/09

[Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images] Tunisian forward Khaled Korbi (right) vies with Nigeria's Olubayo Olalekan during their World Cup 2010 and African Nations Cup Group B qualifying match on Saturday in Radès.

Tunisia and guests Nigeria played to a goalless draw in the third round of the African/World Cup Group B combined qualifiers Saturday (June 20th) in Radès.

The Carthage Eagles, who already defeated Kenya and Mozambique, maintained their Group B lead with 7 points. Nigeria have five.

In order to encourage fans to go to the stadium, the Tunisian Football Federation gave free tickets to children and dedicated free transportation to the event. Tunisian media also called throughout the week for a big turnout.

The initiative paid off. Unlike the Mozambique game, the Radès Stadium was filled to capacity with fans. Ali Adel said, "I managed to get four free tickets, and I'll go to the stadium with my children."

Streets were almost empty of cars and pedestrians during the match. Tunisians were glued to their televisions for what many saw as the most important and difficult Group B confrontation.

The Carthage Eagles' offensive started right away, putting the Super Eagles on alert that they would have a tough time.

In the 16th minute, Tunisia had a scoring opportunity from a header from Seif Ghazal, but Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama managed to send it to the corner.

Tunisia continued their attack, while the Nigerian team were reduced to playing defence.

"The Tunisian team controlled the match and had the domination over the midfield. Meanwhile, the Nigerian team seemed as if they were looking for a draw," said sports analyst Al Mukhtar Tlili.

Despite substitutions made by both sides and some dangerous counter-attacks from the Nigerian team, the second half was not much different. The Tunisian offence failed to change the status quo.

"We pressured the Nigerian team, but the translation of our attacks into goals was absent," said Radhoun Falhi.

Coach Humberto Coelho said after the match, "I think we played well, but the Nigerian team is a big and difficult team."

"It seems that they have come to play for a draw rather than a win," he added.

Salzburg defender Anis Bousadi said that the draw had no effect on Tunisia's chances to qualify, as they maintained the group lead.

It was an unusual game for Espérance striker Michael Eneramo, who was playing for his native Nigeria. "This time I'm playing with my country against a team consisting of my friends and colleagues in Tunisia," he said.

The Nigerians, meanwhile, are worried about Tunisia.

"In their 1978 World Cup qualifier, Nigeria and Tunisia played 0-0 in Tunis and they beat Nigeria 1-0 in Lagos. In 1982, Nigeria lost 2-0 to Tunisia and the Tunisians lost 2-0 in Lagos before Nigeria won via penalties but never qualified for the World Cup. In 1986, Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in Lagos but lost 0-2 in Tunis. We must break this jinx because we must be in South Africa for the first World Cup that will be hosted in African soil", Nigeria's Vanguard quoted the "pillar of Nigerian sport", Orji Uzor Kalu, as saying before the match.

The two squads of Eagles are set to meet again in Abuja on September 5th.