Unless you’ve been in seclusion at the North Pole or a remote corner without television or internet access, you couldn’t have missed the excitement of the first play-off matches for the 2014 World Cup. It was a weekend filled with spectacle, goals, suspense, and lively controversies, providing a thrilling recap.
While Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast dominated their opponents, Cameroon achieved a good 0-0 result against Tunisia in the first leg. Goals were abundant on all pitches except in Radès. The standout performances came from Burkina Faso and Algeria, with a combined total of 5 goals, and Ivory Coast impressively scoring 3, including two within 15 minutes against Senegal.
The road to Brazil remains uncertain, as emphasized by Nigeria’s hard-fought 2-1 victory against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. This first defeat for the Antelopes Walya since 2008 sets the stage for an intense return match. Suspense also awaits in Blida on November 19 for the second leg between Algeria and Burkina Faso, with the two goals scored by Algeria in Ouagadougou playing a crucial role. Despite scenes of violence before the match, supporters from both camps, hope these incidents are isolated.
Senegal faces an uphill battle after losing 1-3 against Ivory Coast. Although the match on November 16 will be played in Casablanca due to the suspension of the Lions’ stadium, the Eagles remain hopeful, especially with Papiss Cisse’s goal in the 96th minute. The clash between Tunisia and Cameroon is still wide open, with a draw with goals in Yaoundé potentially sending Tunisia to Brazil, an unexpected scenario for Charles Itandje and his teammates.
Refereeing controversies once again marred African football. Janny Sikazwe’s decision to award an imaginary penalty to Burkina Faso in the match against Algeria drew criticism, while Koman Coublibaly, embroiled in a corruption controversy, officiated during Tunisia-Cameroon. The Ethiopia-Nigeria match saw contentious decisions around two goals, showcasing the unpredictable nature of African football.
The excitement is far from over. As we await the return matches in just over a month, Ghana faces Egypt this Tuesday in Kumasi to conclude the first leg encounters. The drama continues.
