Nigeria/Cameroon: Two Draws In Crucial Games

19 September 2000

Nigeria and Cameroon held their European opponents to 1-1 draws in key qualifying Olympics football games on September 19.

Nigeria moved into the lead against Italy after 40 minutes, with Garba Lawal scoring off a penalty, but let the Italians off the hook in the second half when Gbenga Okanowo conceded an own goal (65 minutes). The Adelaide game was marred by six yellow cards, three on either side, and Nigeria's Azubuike Oliseh was sent off after 59 minutes.

Playing against the Czech Republic in Brisbane, Cameroon also took a first-half lead when Lauren Etame Mayer scored after 24 minutes. The Czechs gave Cameroon some tense moments, but scored only once (Lukas Dosek after 74 minutes)and failed to prevent the African team from securing its quarterfinal place.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.