Tunisia, Nigeria World Cup race goes to wire

Tunisia scored early and Nigeria late Sunday to ensure a thrilling 2010 World Cup Group B qualifying race in Africa will go down to the wire next month.

France-based striker Issam Jomaa struck in the first minute as Tunisia won 1-0 against Kenya in Rades while Victor Nsofor from Spanish club Malaga netted three minutes into stoppage time as Nigeria pipped Mozambique 1-0 in Abuja.

These results left the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia two points above the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the leaders after the November 14 final fixtures qualifying for the world tournament in South Africa.

Tunisia visit Mozambique and Nigeria travel to Kenya and while the two hosts have been out of the World Cup reckoning for some time, they are fighting for third spot and a place at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

All seemed lost for three-time World Cup qualifiers Nigeria as a dour tussle with well-organised and slick Mozambique drifted into additional time at a far-from-full 60,000-seat National Stadium.

But the Mambas (Snakes) resistance finally cracked after 93 minutes when a parry by goalkeeper Joao Kapango was crossed into the goalmouth and unmarked 22-year-old Nsofor nodded in.

Had Nigeria drawn they would have failed to reach a second consecutive World Cup after a shock second-place finish behind Angola in the 2006 qualifying tournament for Germany.

Both teams were foiled by the woodwork in a cagey encounter Nigeria dominated territorially only to be let down by a blunt strike force and spectacular Kapango saves.

Tunisia, who came from behind twice to force a draw in Nigeria last month, made the perfect start with unmarked Jomaa heading past goalkeeper Willis Ochieng just 60 seconds into the first half.

But the North African team seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive World Cup appearance by an African team, could not build on the early advantage and must win in Maputo to be certain of qualifying.

Ghana, who last month became the first African country to qualify for the 2010 finals after hosts South Africa, surrendered the last 100 percent record in the final round when losing 1-0 against Benin in Cotonou.

The Benin ‘Squirrels’ were impressively led by striker Razack Omotoyossi and dominated without reward until France-based striker Mohamed Aoudou scored two minutes into stoppage time.

While the match was meaningless for the World Cup, victory took Benin to seven points and boosted their chances of finishing among the top three and qualifying for the Nations Cup.