Everton defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the winner as Nigeria triumphed 1-0 in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday to maintain their perfect record in the 2010 World Cup-Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
It was the second consecutive weekend that Yobo was the Super Eagles’ star after he scored the only goal in Sierra Leone the previous weekend just 60 seconds from time. There was no late drama in Malabo, as Yobo struck after only five minutes to give Nigeria their third consecutive win in Group 4 and a six-point advantage over second-placed South Africa.
Radhi Jaidi, from Birmingham City was another England-based defender who was a match-winner, scoring on 66 minutes to earn resurgent Tunisia a vital 1-0 Group 9 victory over Burundi in Bujumbura. After a sensational home loss to Burkina Faso, the Carthage Eagles have bounced back under new Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho with away victories in the Seychelles and Burundi.
Giant killers Swaziland, who stunned 2006 World Cup qualifiers Togo in Group 11 the previous weekend, were indebted to goalkeeper Njabuliso Simelane as they fought out a 0-0 draw with Zambia. The visitors forced nine corners as they tried to atone for an away loss to Togo, but a string of acrobatic saves from Simelane kept the Copper Bullets at bay. Swaziland remain on top with four points, followed by Togo (3) and Zambia (1).
Libya joined leaders Ghana on six points in Group 5 thanks to a 1-0 away win over minnows Lesotho courtesy of a goal from Ahmed Osman nine minutes from time in the central South African city of Bloemfontein. Lesotho have been forced to switch their three home fixtures because the National Stadium in Maseru is being renovated. It was the second consecutive home loss for the Lesotho Crocodiles and realistically rules them out of contention.
Madagascar drew for the third consecutive weekend in Group 7 with Guy Mamihasindrahona scoring in the final minute to snatch a 1-1 draw against visiting Mozambique, who took a 33rd-minute lead through Dario Monteiro..
Cape Verde moved within one point of Group 1 pacesetters Cameroon thanks to a 1-0 win on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, courtesy of a late first half penalty from Portugal-based Eduardo ‘Dady’ Gomes.
Results from Sunday’s CONCACAF World Cup 2010 qualifying:
• USA 8, Barbados 0
• Mexico 2, Belize 0
• St. Vincent 0, Canada 3
Carlos Alcaraz on Monday powered into the French Open second round with a resounding win to start his title defense, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also progressed at Roland Garros. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and is to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two. Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic. “The first round is never
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