Nigeria wrapped up their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Algeria at the Stade Chahid Hamlaou on Friday and extended their record in the qualifiers to 36 consecutive unbeaten matches.
Nigeria had already booked their place in the tournament but the Super Eagles did not sit back.
36 – The @NGSuperEagles are unbeaten in 36 consecutive World Cup qualifiers (W24 D12) since losing 1-0 to Angola in June 2004. Only Spain (63) have a longer current unbeaten #WCQ run. Echelon. #ALGNGA #WCQ2018
— Opta Nigeria (@OptaNGR) November 10, 2017
After a cagey first half, John Ogu struck from 25 yards with a beautiful curling shot to beat Fawzi Chaouchi after a poor attempt by an Algerian defender to clear the ball from inside the box.
However, Gernot Rohr’s make shift team could not defend their lead.
Les Fennecs captain, Yacine Brahimi had been a thorn in the side of the Eagles and caught right-back Shehu Abdullahi off guard on the 87th minute to dribble inside the box.
The defender charged into the Algerian, although it looked a soft challenge with the player still on his feet, center Referee Eric Castane pointed to the spot
Brahimi stepped up and tucked the kick away to secure Algeria’s second point of the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Nigeria finished the campaign unbeaten and also take their record in the world cup qualifiers to 36 consecutive matches.
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