TheCable

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are rooted to the bottom of their group in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, following a one-nil loss to Sudan at the El-Merreikh Stadium on Saturday.

Striker Bakri Abdelgadir scored the only goal for Sudan via a powerful header in the 42nd minute, after two Nigerian defenders were caught ball-watching.

With one point from a possible nine and with South Africa (seven points), Congo (six points) and Sudan (three points) all ahead of Nigeria, bottom-place Super Eagles now face the real prospect of missing out on the 2015 Nations Cup to be hosted by Morocco.

South Africa moved top after defeating Congo-Brazzaville 2-0 in Pointe-Noire in the other game in Group A. Congo, leaders before the match, dropped down to second with six points.

Nigeria took the kick-off but it was Sudan who had the first shot, though it was off target, after an impressive footwork from Mohammed Tahir saw his opponent fall for his dummies before shooting wide of the goal.

Nosa Igiebor almost gave the Super Eagles the lead, but his effort off a low pass from Emmanuel Emenike hit the upright.

Nigeria drew out consecutive saves from Sudan keeper in the 14th and 18th minutes.

Mahgoub jumped to pick up Efe Ambrose’s unlikely shot, which was meant to be a cross but went straight to the goalkeeper who handled with ease.

He was on hand again to stop Emenike’s shot after the striker profited from poor defensive work on the Sudanese end.

Vincent Enyeama was called into action in the 26th minute, as he punched out a cross from the left wing.

In the 41st minute, Sudan took the lead from a powerful header from Abdelgadir after connecting a cross to nod past Enyeama, who managed to get a touch on the ball.

Nigeria conceded a free kick three minutes after the restart. Oboabona was adjudged to have used his hand to stop a shot on the edge of the box, but Tahir’s free kick was blocked by the wall.

It was Nigeria’s turn to win a free-kick after Salami was pulled down. Mikel then took a low ball to Emenike, whose shot was effectively dealt with by the Sudan keeper.

With less than 20 minutes to the end of the match, the Super Eagles upped their game in desperate search for an equaliser.

They resorted to long balls in order to break down the opponent, but the home team looked well-attuned to the artificial turf.

Mikel thought he had found the net for the visitors, but his effort was ruled out for offside despite his protestations.

The home team held on to a famous win.

Lineups

Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama (C), Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo; Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Nosa Igiebor; Gbolahan Salami, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike

Sudan: 16 El Moiz Mahgoub (C), 18 Amir Kamal, 10 Mohamed Tahir, 3 Faris Abdallah, 14 El Tahir El Hag, 6 Ali Gafar, 2 Elrayah Ali, 17 Nasreldin Omer, 18 Omer Mahmoud, 9 Bakri Abd Elgadir, 12 Salah Ibrahim