Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, November 12, 2017 Banana salvages a 2-2 World Cup draw for Cameroon Nigeria draw in Algeria to finish with 14 points JOHANNESBURG: Yves Banana scored in stoppage ing before Cameroon host the 2019 Cup of Nations, time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Cameroon in Zambia and has pleaded for patience. yesterday at the end of a disappointing World Cup He will take hope from the performance of Fabrice Group B campaign for the African champions. Zambia Ondoa in the draw in Zambia as the Spain-based goal- teenager Patson Daka opened the scoring and set up keeper made a string of excellent saves in both halves. Brian Mwila to put the hosts ahead again after Senegal Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda must have been had leveled before half time in the central city of Ndola. encouraged by the form of 19-year-old Daka, a member Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa scored the first of the team that won the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Cameroon equaliser and Banana’s glancing header this year. restored parity a minute into additional time. The result The next competitive outings for the countries are meant the “Indomitable Lions” finished third in Group B Cup of Nations qualifiers in March when Zambia visits with seven points, having Namibia and Cameroon won only one of their six are away to the matches, at home to off- Comoros. Although form Algeria last month. Cameroon qualify auto- Cameroon had been Diafra Sakho, matically for the 2019 expected to mount a tournament as hosts, strong challenge for first Sadio Mane they are playing in the place and a ticket to the qualifying competition to 2018 finals in Russia as play key roles gain match practice. they chased a record- Senegal on Friday extending eighth World became the third African Cup appearance by an nation to secure a place African country. at next year’s finals as But after drawing English Premier League away to Algeria and at home to Zambia last year, they pair Diafra Sakho and Sadio Mane played key roles in a were trounced 4-0 by eventual group winners Nigeria 2-0 win over South Africa in Polokwane. Gabon and two months ago to effectively drop out of contention. Mali drawing 0-0 in eastern town Franceville in a CONSTANTINE: Nigeria’s William Ekong (L) vies for the ball with Algeria’s Islam Slimani during the 2018 FIFA Nigeria drew 1-1 in Algeria Friday to finish with 14 Group C dead rubber was predictable as the countries World Cup Group B qualifying football match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Chahid Hamlaou Stadium in points, followed by Zambia (eight), Cameroon (seven) have two of the three worst scoring records in the Constantine. — AFP and Algeria (two). Cameroon sprang a surprise last groups. February by winning the Africa Cup of Nations in The Gabonese, who lacked star striker Pierre- neighbouring Gabon, coming from behind to beat Emerick Aubameyang, scored twice goals in one mini- 18 minutes into their first match. Morocco hold a one- The Ivorians are seeking a fourth consecutive quali- Egypt 2-1 in the final. Belgian coach Hugo Broos, the league match and none in the other five. Mali were even point advantage over the Ivory Coast ahead of the fication while the Moroccans have not been to the finals architect of the continental triumph, says he is rebuild- worse, going 522 minutes without a goal after scoring group decider in Abidjan later. since 1998. — AFP Brazil and France impress, England in Buffon says ‘no Germany stalemate panic’ as Italy on PARIS: Neymar starred as Brazil ramped up their brink of World World Cup preparations with a 3-1 win over Japan on Friday, while France saw off Wales 2-0 in Paris and a new-look England held Germany 0-0 at Wembley. Cup disaster Elsewhere, Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku became his country’s equal all-time record goalscorer MILAN: Italy must not panic as they bid to avoid as Belgium played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against missing a World Cup for the first time in 60 years, Mexico in Brussels. goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said after a 1-0 play- In Lille, Neymar scored a penalty and missed anoth- off defeat to Sweden pushed them to the brink of er as Brazil outclassed Japan. Neymar rolled in a 10th- disaster. minute spot-kick following consultation with the video Captain Buffon-bidding to reach a record sixth assistant referee, although Neymar saw a second World Cup finals in Russia-is one of the last sur- penalty saved shortly after by Eiji Kawashima. vivors of Italy’s golden generation of 2006 World Marcelo rifled in a magnificent second as Brazil dou- Cup winners. But an Azzurri performance in bled their lead on 17 minutes, with Manchester City’s Stockholm branded “ugly and confused” leaves Gabriel Jesus rounding off a clinical counter-attack Italy with all to play for in tomorrow’s second leg in before half-time to make it 3-0. Tomoaki Makino nod- Milan to avoid failing to qualify for the World Cup ded in a consolation from a corner on 62 minutes but finals for the first time since 1958. Japan remain winless against Brazil, losing for the 10th “We need to be as clear-headed as possible to time in 12 meetings. “I’m really happy with what’s hap- go to the World Cup,” said Buffon, who conceded a pening with the national team and (coach) shot by Swedish substitute Jakob Johansson that Tite, we feel confident with him and believe in him,” VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ: Brazil’s forward Neymar (L) vies with Japan’s defender Atsuto Uchida (R) during the friendly foot- was deflected by Daniele De Rossi. said Neymar. Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic was left to ball match between Japan and Brazil at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, northern France. — AFP “We know we’ve lost, but we have another 90 rue his team’s disastrous start. “I don’t know what was minutes to overcome this complicated situation. happening in their heads in the first half,” said and Ruben Loftus-Cheek caught the eye as Gareth ing home game with France-the last team to beat them- The first rule is not to cry over it,” he told TMW Halilhodzic whose team has also qualified for the finals Southgate’s injured-ravaged side played out a 0-0 on Tuesday. “Both teams were very good and played radio. “I expect a full San Siro to carry this team in Russia. At the Stade de France in Paris, Antoine draw with world champions Germany. well defensively. There weren’t many counter-attacks,” through, I don’t want to think it’s the game of life, Griezmann rediscovered his goal-scoring touch with Everton goalkeeper Pickford, 23, made a number of said Loew. but I’m convinced that with the help of the public the first goal in a 2-0 victory against Wales. Griezmann smart saves, while 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Lukaku scored twice as Belgium shared a six-goal we will do it. had scored only three times in 13 appearances for Loftus-Cheek, who is on loan at Crystal Palace, pro- thriller with fellow World Cup finalists Mexico. He now “We must be confident tomorrow, otherwise we Atletico Madrid this term and was without a goal for duced an assured display in the number 10 shirt. “We has 30 international goals, joining Paul van Himst and have already lost.” The 39-year-old added: “You his club since netting a penalty against Chelsea in the posed our own questions and I thought we used the Bernard Voorhoof who also reached the mark. have to keep your head high and your shoulders Champions League in September. ball well,” said Southgate. Missing star striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland straight. There are another 90 minutes and we want But he ended his drought by opening the scoring in Joachim Loew’s Germany came closest to scoring drew 0-0 with Uruguay who were without Luis to make the most of it, we are strong.” the 18th minute on Friday, converting a pass from when winger Leroy Sane rattled the crossbar midway Sanchez in Warsaw. Portugal didn’t miss the resting But former Italian international Andrea Pirlo Corentin Tolisso. Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud hit his 29th through the first half. The Confederations Cup winners Cristiano Ronaldo as they defeated Saudi Arabia 3-0 believes it is dangerous for the four-time World international goal in the second half to complete the missed out on an eighth successive win, but they have with goals from Manuel Fernandes, Goncalo Guedes Cup winners to rely too heavily on the atmosphere win. At Wembley, England debutants Jordan Pickford now gone 20 games unbeaten ahead of their year-end- and Joao Mario. — AFP generated by 65,000 frenetic fans in the San Siro to squeeze through. “The San Siro doesn’t score, I’ve never seen a situations when we weren’t able to apply fan score,” said Pirlo, a member of the 2006 World the final touch.” On a chilly afternoon in Cup winning team who announced this week he Aguero gives Moscow, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di was retiring from football. Maria went close to scoring for Argentina Pirlo acknowledged that the team “seemed frus- in the first half, but were denied by good trated,” but he insisted he was quietly confident of Argentina saves from Russia captain and goalkeeper getting through, saying: “I like this Italy.” The last Igor Akinfeev.