Africans punch World Cup tickets

Cote d'Ivoire vanquishes Senegal while Nigeria eliminates Ethiopia

Cote d'Ivoire joined Nigeria in the World Cup finals on Saturday after a 1-1 draw against Senegal gave it a 4-2 aggregate win on a tense night in neutral Casablanca.

Cote d'Ivoire reached a third successive World Cup but it had to survive a tense conclusion to its playoff second leg clash after Senegal had gone ahead 1-0 on a 77th-minute penalty by substitute Moussa Sow after the lively Sadio Mane was fouled by Didier Drogba.

Another goal would have put Senegal through on away goals but Cote d'Ivoire finished on top when Salomon Kalou drew his team level in stoppage time courtesy of a quick counter attack just moments after Kara Modji failed to double Senegal's lead from six yards.

Earlier on Saturday, Nigeria qualified for a fifth World Cup after beating Ethiopia 2-0 at home in Calabar for a 4-1 winning aggregate.

In a match played in Casablanca after Senegal was punished for crowd trouble at home, Cote d'Ivoire attacked from the onset, forcing the Senegalese to concede two corners in the first five minutes.

Idrissa Gueye of Senegal fired at the Ivorian goal from the edge of the box after 13 minutes, but the ball sailed wide.

In the 18th minute, goalkeeper Boubacar Barry did well to keep out a Senegal free kick as the home team pressed for an opening goal.

Gervinho, from Italian club Roma, continued to be a serious threat to the Senegalese defence with his tricky dribbling down the flanks.

In the 34th minute, Papis Cisse fired on goal for Senegal, but his snap shot did not trouble goalkeeper Barry.

Yaya Toure was denied a goal in the 42nd minute when he got into the box and fired on goal, but a Senegal defender got his foot to block the shot for a corner.

"I am proud to be part of a team from a small country which has qualified for three World Cups in a row," said Cote d'Ivoire star striker Didier Drogba.

"We want to do something special at the World Cup. The last two tournaments were difficult.

"In Brazil, we hope to have a greater chance of at least making it out of the first round."

In Nigeria, Victor Moses gave the home team the lead after 20 minutes when he tucked away a penalty after Anyalem Hailu handled the ball inside his box.

Substitute Victor Obinna doubled Nigeria's lead in the 82nd minute when he fired home a free kick.

The reigning African champion marches on to its fifth World Cup finals, having also plaued in the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 tournaments.

But the Super Eagles' display on Saturday inside the packed 15,000-capacity UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar was labored and, until Obinna's late goal, Ethiopia was still in contention.

CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa said it was a dream come true to qualify for what will be his first World Cup, but he blamed the hot weather for the team's subdued outing.

"I thank God for the World Cup ticket, it is a dream come true for me. It has been my dream to go to the World Cup and I have made it," Musa said.

"We would have done a lot better today but the weather was hot and this worked against us."

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose came close for Nigeria right at the start of the game and goalkeeper Sisay Bancha then made a one-handed save from Emmanuel Emenike from 10 yards out.

Ethiopia's Saladin Said saw a shot from a tight angle flash across the face of the goal before Moses calmly dispatched his penalty to put Nigeria ahead after Hailu was penalized.

Bancha denied Nigeria when Onazi's left-footed shot in the 43rd minute was kept out by the outstanding Ethiopia goalkeeper and Ideye could not put away the rebound.

Ethiopia had a penalty appeal turned down in the 51st minute before Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a brilliant save at the feet of Shemeles Bekele.

Ethiopia played with a lot more urgency in the closing minutes but its hopes were ended when the power on Obinna's late free kick proved too much for Bancha.

(China Daily 11/18/2013 page23)