Nigeria and Ivory Coast book passages to Brazil

Started by CNN, Nov 17, 2013, 03:31 AM

CNN

 (CNN) -- Ivory Coast and Nigeria became the first African teams to reach the World Cup finals in Brazil Saturday, sealing qualification by contrasting routes.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria made the finals for the fifth time after easing to a 2-0 home win over Ethiopia for a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

The Ivory Coast held Senegal 1-1 in Casablanca to go through 4-2 on aggregate in a tense atmosphere.

The match was played in Casablanca, with Senegal punished by FIFA for crowd trouble, but they gave Ivory Coast an uncomfortable time.

FIFA World Cup Trophy takes off       American coach helping Iran to the World Cup     Moving the 2022 Qatar World Cup     A victory for the dreamers in Bosnia  Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Senegal went ahead in the 77th minute after former Chelsea star Didier Drogba fouled Sadio Mane.

Read: Footballers protest in Brazil ahead of World Cup

Substitute Moussa Sow scored from the spot and another goal would have put Senegal through on their away goal, a last gasp strike from Newcastle's Papiss Cisse's in the first leg, but they could not grab a second.

Kara Modji went close before Salomon Kalou made it safe for the Ivory Coast with a stoppage time equalizer to the relief of his teammates.

Nigeria, leading 2-1 from the first leg, were given a comfortable cushion when Victor Moses, on loan at Liverpool from fellow EPL side Chelsea, scored from the penalty spot after Anyalem Hailu handled.

Ethiopia put up a brave fight but the reigning African champions made sure of their passage when substitute Victor Obinna doubled Nigeria's lead after 82 minutes with a fine free kick.

"I am happy to be part of this history making. My target is now to help my country do well at the World Cup," he told AFP.

Tunisia and Cameroon, tied 0-0 after the first leg, play Sunday, with Ghana, 6-1 winners over Egypt in their opener, and Burkina Faso, holders of a 3-2 lead over Algeria, in action in the other two qualifiers Monday.