Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa Draw in World Cup Warm-Ups
AFRICAN POWERHOUSES Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa all drew on Friday in warm-up matches for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers from September.
Tolu Arokodare came off the bench in the second half to score his first goal for Nigeria, who drew 1-1 with Russia in Moscow.
Ismaila Sarr, a FA Cup winner with Crystal Palace last month, brought Senegal level in a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
South Africa were unable to maximise home advantage over Tanzania and had to settle for a 0-0 draw in northern city Polokwane.
Nigeria and South Africa, who will clash in a key World Cup qualifier during September, finished second and third in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, while Senegal won the previous edition.
In Moscow, an own-goal by Semi Ajayi, who deflected a low cross past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, gave Russia a 27th-minute lead.
There were no further goals until a blunder by goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who understudies Gianluigi Donnarumma at Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germanin, gifted Nigeria an equaliser.
An intended short pass to a teammate by Safonov from his area was intercepted by Belgium-based Arokodare and he scored on 71 minutes.
It was the last of three warm-up matches for the Super Eagles, who won the Unity Cup in London last week by defeating Ghana 2-1 and Jamaica on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Russia have been banned from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA since 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine.
It was their second friendly match against African opposition this year after hammering Zambia 5-0 in Moscow three months ago.
Meanwhile, Senegal fell behind midway through the first half in the Irish capital when Kasey McAteer fired a rebound into the net after his header struck the woodwork.
The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions levelled on 82 minutes when Sarr pounced on a weak clearance by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and slammed the ball into the net.
Senegal travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo in September for a showdown set to decide which country automatically qualifies for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In Polokwane, South Africa had the lion's share of possession, but were unable to break down a well organised Tanzania defence.
South Africa came closest to scoring in added time when an audacious lob by substitute Relebohile Mofokeng landed on top of the netting.
Zambia were unable to fulfil a fixture against Sudan in Morocco due to a boycott by the national squad over unpaid allowances following the match in Russia.
Recently elected national football association president Keith Mweemba told reporters he inherited an organisation 100 million kwacha ($4 million) in debt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
44 minutes ago
- The Star
Soccer-Depay, Dumfries earn Netherlands 2-0 win in Finland
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - Group G - Finland v Netherlands - Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland - June 7, 2025 Netherlands' Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk in action with Finland's Nikolai Alho MARKKU ULANDER/Lehtikuva via REUTERS HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Netherlands kicked off their World Cup qualification campaign with a comfortable victory as goals from Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries secured a 2-0 away win over Finland on Saturday. Depay profited from a defensive error to give the Dutch the lead inside six minutes, and Dumfries added a second with a neat finish at the back post midway through the first half. The Netherlands moved third in Group G with three points, behind leaders Poland, who have won both their games, and Finland who have four points from three matches. The group winners advance to next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while the second-placed side will enter a 16-team playoff competition to decide four additional places at the finals. (Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Soccer-Tuchel unhappy with England attitude after Andorra toil
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - Group K - Andorra v England - RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat, Spain - June 7, 2025 England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra BARCELONA (Reuters) -England coach Thomas Tuchel criticised his team after they struggled to a 1-0 victory away to Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday. The German has won his first three matches in charge with no goals conceded but had it not been for Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal his team would have faced humiliation against a side ranked 173rd in the world. After collecting the three points that put England in command of Group K, Tuchel made no attempt to sugar coat a performance that was way below par. "We can just admit it that it's not what we expect from us. We need to look at it in detail and do better on Tuesday," the German told ITV Sport. "We lost all momentum after the first 25 minutes and lacked the quality and the energy. I was most worried in the last 20 minutes, I did not like the attitude that we ended the game with. I didn't like the lack of urgency. It is still a World Cup qualifier away from home." England had 83% of the possession against a nation they had scored 25 goals against without reply in six previous meetings, but suffered from a chronic lack of imagination. Asked if his message before the game had not got through to his players, Tuchel added: "The message got across because we had a good 25 minutes but then the energy and the determination weren't there anymore." It was a refreshingly honest take from the former Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager whose contract with England only runs to the date of next year's World Cup final. He did have kind words, however, for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke whose display was about the only bright point for England. "He was over the course of the match, the most dangerous. I could feel his hunger to do what was the plan throughout the whole of the match," Tuchel said. Captain Kane, whose goal was the 450th of his career for club and country, also praised Madueke. "I think he was a constant threat today and got the assist for the goal, but we need more of that," Kane said. "We have amazing players and we need players who are not afraid to take players on and if they lose it, do it again." England host Senegal in a friendly in Nottingham on Tuesday. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Kane spares England's blushes against Andorra
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - Group K - Andorra v England - RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat, Spain - June 7, 2025 England's Harry Kane Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra BARCELONA (Reuters) -A lacklustre England laboured to a 1-0 away win against Andorra to maintain their 100% start to World Cup qualification campaign with captain Harry Kane's second-half goal sparing their blushes on Saturday. On a sultry afternoon in Barcelona, Kane's scrambled effort shortly after the interval was all that separated Thomas Tuchel's team of Premier League household names with the side sitting 173rd in the world rankings. As expected, England dominated possession but were short of the quality expected with only Chelsea winger Noni Madueke managing to impress in an instantly forgettable match. England secured the win, however, and sit comfortably top of Group K with three wins from three. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
