Emenike brace boosts Nigeria

Nigeria came from behind to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 win over Ethiopia in the first leg of their World Cup play-off yesterday.

Two goals from Emmanuel Emenike helped them to take a big step towards next year's finals in Brazil.

A 90th-minute penalty following a moment of defensive folly handed Nigeria an away win in Addis Ababa and set them up for a routine assignment in thereturn leg in Calabar on November 16.

As Emenike got goalside in the last minute he was tugged by defender Aynalem Hailu in a clear infringement and got up to convert the resulting spot kick with ease.

Before that, he had struck a snap shot from outside the penalty area in the 67th minute to equalise after the home side had gone ahead in the 56th minute, courtesy of a bizarre decision from the linesman.

A miscued cross from left winger Behailu Asefa swerved towards the Nigeria goal and caught goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama unawares, forcing him to catch it perilously close to the goal-line.

Cameroon lineman Yanoussa Moussa, whose view would have been obstructed by Enyeama's back, immediately signalled for a goal, to the bemusement of the visitors but the delight of the home crowd.

It made up for a similar close call in the first half when Saladin Seid had his effort hooked off the line by Nigeria centre back Godfrey Oboabona when the ball seemed to have crossed the line.

Television replays proved inconclusive, and without goal-line technology officials allowed play to continue.

Seid proved a thorn in the side of the Nigerian defence but scuffed several good efforts and a draw would have been a fair reflection of a game in which Nigeria also struck the upright when Ahmed Musa saw his 77th-minute shot cannon back into play.

Having snatched the win, though, Nigeria are now overwhelming favourites to qualify for a fifth World Cup, ending a fairy-tale run for Ethiopia over the last 18 months.

In other African World Cup play-off first legs, Burkina Faso beat Algeria 3-2 yesterday and Ivory Coast beat Senegal 3-1 on Saturday.