John Ogu Nets Screamer As Nigeria Held By Algeria After Dubious Penalty

It was a decent end to the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Fennecs of Algeria at the Mohammed Hamalaoui Stadium on Friday night.

A second half strike from John Ogu was cancelled out by Yacine Brahimi in the tension soaked cracker in Constantine.

With the Super Eagles through to the 2018 World Cup with 13 points in the bag, coach Gernot Rohr elected to field fringe players in a 4-3-3 formation.

Mainz defender Leon Balogun captained the team and paired with William Troost Ekong at the heart of the defence. Shehu Abdullahi and Ola Aina played in the full backs.

Israel based Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Onyinye Ndidi sat in the midfield, with Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi getting game time too.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Anthony Nwakaema played upfront.

Five minutes into the game, Riyad Mahrez's free-kick was easily saved by Nigeria keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

Nigeria then started dominating possession as they looked to break the deadlock.

Algeria forward Mahrez burst into the Nigeria box, but his Leicester City FC teammate Onyinye Ndidi stopped him with 15 minutes on the clock.

Ndidi pushed forward and unleashed a shot which was blocked as the match approached the half-hour mark.

In the 35th minute, Ferhat tried a through ball, but the advancing Slimani was caught offside.

The game lacked the needed place with both sides knocking the ball around and committing fouls.

Leicester City striker Slimani cut a frustrated figure as he was caged by Balogun and Ekong as the forward tried to impose himself.

At the end of the first half, it was a scrappy one as the two sides played without motivation.

Algeria should have gone ahead but they missed two good chances early in the second half.

Algeria attackers Slimani and Mahrez were both fouled in the middle of the park as the hosts looked to break the deadlock.

Algeria keeper Chaouchi produced a good save to deny Nigeria forward Iwobi.

Former Academica playmaker Ogu was the man for big occasion as he curled home an unstoppable bullet beyond the goalkeeper 25 metres to goal in the 62nd minute. It was a beauty to behold.

Slimani missed the target from close range with Nigeria keeper Ezenwa well beaten. The hosts applied some pressure on the Nigeria defence.

Nigeria were looking to contain Algeria in the closing stages of the encounter but it wasn't meant to be as the Fennecs were awarded a dubious penalty after Brahimi was fouled in the Nigeria box.

Brahimi converted the spot-kick in the 88th minute.

With the impressive result, Nigeria ended the qualifiers with four wins and two draws in six matches.

Algeria XI: Haouchi, Mandi, Cadamuro, Chafaï, Nessakh, Medjani, Ferhat, Bennacer, Mahrez, Brahimi, Slimani.

Nigeria XI: Ezenwa, Abdullahi, Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Etebo, Ogu, Ndidi, Nwakaeme, Iwobi, Iheanacho.

Abayomi Ademetan