Itandje Stars As Cameroon Earn Draw

Tunisia and Cameroon 0-0 draw in Rades with both sides wasting a host of opportunities, and the Indomitable Lions goalkeeper Charles Itandje putting in a wonderful performance. Within 30 seconds of the game starting Tunisia's Chikaoui smacked an effort from the edge of the area but Cameroon goalkeeper Itandje was able to beat the ball away. The home side got off to a strong start and put Cameroon under pressure from the first whistle, with Itandje having to make another point blank save from a Houcine Ragued header with only four minutes played. Itandje was single-handedly keeping Volker Finks men in this game, saving smartly when Wissem Ben Yahia struck a ferocious swerving effort but the Koyaspor shot-stopper was able to tip over. Tunisia again came close when another header by the home side's Chikaoui was saved by Cameroon's in-form goalkeeper. The away side grew in confidence as the game wore on and 30 minutes in Joel Matip tried a low drive from outside the box but Ben Cherifia was able to gather it easily. Tunisia's substitute Ben Youssef had the best chance to open the scoring in the second-half when he got on the end of a great cross by Derbaly but his header was off target. Cameroon then almost grabbed the opener themselves as Joel Matip found space following some neat play by Alex Song and Makoun, but Ben Cherfia able to clear with his legs following the Schalke forward's timid shot. Pierre Webo then definitely had the miss of the match following a game of many missed chances, the Fenerbache forward had the goal gaping but with the ball coming at an awkward height, but bundled the ball behind with his midriff. Rud Krol would have been disappointed that his team had not been able to take at least one of the many chances created, but to be fair both teams could have walked away with a victory, and this being the first goalless draw in the African play-offs of World Cup qualification. Cameroon will be confident when they host Tunisia in the return leg, and will also be hoping to have their keeper Itandje in similar form after a wonderful performance. -

GLT Alert! Ethiopia had what looked like good goal disallowed, ruled to have not crossed the line v Nigeria (World Cup Play-Off)

There was huge moment of controversy in today’s African World Cup Play-off 1st leg between Ethiopia and Nigeria, as the Super Eagles take a 2-1 lead into their return home leg.

At 0-0 though, Ethiopia were denied what looks like a perfectly goal that fully crossed the line, only to see it ignored, judged to not have entirely crossed the line.

On 24′ Saladin chipped a lovely ball over the top for Enyeam, who got a bit of a clumsy shot away, and just as it appeared to have agonisingly crossed, Nigerian defender Oboabona appeared to clear it with an acrobatic left-footed clearance.

Enyeam wheeled away in celebration, just as the local Ethiopian fans were convinced it was over, but play continued as the goal appeals were turned away.

It’s not 100% conclusive from the footage, but the second replay in particular does appear to show the whole circumference just about cross at the moment Oboabona clears it.

Fully over or not? Watch the incident below and decide for yourself.

The cruel irony for Ethiopia is that goal line technology will be used at next summer’s World Cup finals, so it could really stick in the craw if this moment proves crucial in their play-off.

That said, they still would have only hypothetically drawn the home leg had this goal be counted (though we’ll never know how events would have unfolded), so it’s unlikely to become a continental scandal.

Goal disallowed for Ethiopia v Nigeria, ball clearly crossed the line!

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