Monday 16 September 2013

SUPER EAGLES face Ethiopia for World Cup spot

AFCON holders Nigeria will battle Ethiopia for a spot at the 2014 World Cup, as was decided by the Africa zone play-off draw in Cairo on Monday.
The Super Eagles will play away first to the Walya Antelopes in October, before hosting the second leg at home in Nigeria.

Ethiopia are the least-ranked of the 10 teams that qualified for the final phase of the series, with a FIFA ranking of 93 and 25th in Africa, compared to Nigeria's 36th place.

It is obvious that Stephen Keshi's look favourite base on their recent performance but the star studded team will have to work harder to stop their opponent this time around. Nigeria beats Ethiopia at this year's Nations Cup in the group stage to advance to the quarter final.

The odds favour the African champions in this draw. In 7 previous meetings, they have won 5, drawn 1 and lost just once to Ethiopia.

By far the toughest draw of the round features Ghana against Egypt, while Africa's top-ranked team Côte d'Ivoire get to play Senegal in a repeat of their 2013 African Nations Cup qualifying.

The first leg of the ties happen in between October 11-15 with the second legs taking place between November 15-19.

Draw results:
Ethiopia v Nigeria
Ivory Coast v Senegal
Ghana v Egypt
Tunisia v Cameroon
Burkina Faso v Algeria

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