World Cup warm-ups: Nigeria beat Iran; Ghana hit hard; Cameroon, Gabon stumble

Several African nations were involved in friendly games on Friday with Nigeria's Super Eagles among the few to register a positive result, Soccernet.ng reports.

Austria 5-1 Ghana

Austria produced one of the standout performances of the international window with a ruthless 5-1 demolition of Ghana in Vienna, exposing defensive frailties that will concern coach Otto Addo ahead of tougher tests.

The game began evenly, but Austria struck first in the 12th minute when Marcel Sabitzer calmly converted from the penalty spot after a handball by Jonas Adjetey.

Ghana showed flashes of attacking promise before the break but the second half, however, turned into a collapse.

Austria raised the tempo and began to stretch Ghana’s defensive structure. Michael Gregoritsch doubled the lead in the 51st minute with a composed finish, before Stefan Posch made it three with a powerful header from a set piece.

Ghana briefly responded when Ayew pulled one back in the 77th minute, offering a glimmer of hope. But that hope was extinguished almost immediately as Carney Chukwuemeka restored Austria’s three-goal cushion just two minutes later with his first international goal. Nicolas Seiwald added a fifth deep into stoppage time to cap a dominant display.

Australia 1-0 Cameroon

Australia secured a narrow but valuable 1-0 win over Cameroon in Sydney, with a late goal from Jordan Bos separating the sides in a largely cautious encounter.

The first half struggled for rhythm, played on a slick surface that limited fluid attacking football. Both teams were compact and disciplined, with chances at a premium. Australia handed debuts to Lucas Herrington and Deni Juric, but neither side truly threatened before the break.

The tempo improved in the second half, particularly after the introduction of Nestory Irankunda, whose pace and directness added urgency to Australia’s attack. The hosts were handed a golden opportunity in the 70th minute after a VAR review awarded a penalty, but Ajdin Hrustic saw his effort comfortably saved by Devis Epassy.

With the game drifting toward a stalemate, Australia finally found the breakthrough in the 85th minute. A defensive lapse from Cameroon allowed Paul Okon-Engstler to slip a pass through, and Bos reacted quickest to slot home the winner.

Liechtenstein 1-0 Tanzania

Liechtenstein recorded a rare and historic victory with a disciplined 1-0 win over Tanzania in Kigali.

The match was tight and tactical from the outset, with Tanzania controlling possession but struggling to penetrate a well-organised defensive block. Liechtenstein remained compact, limiting space and forcing their opponents into low-quality chances.

The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute when Ferhat Saglam finished clinically after being set up by captain Nicolas Hasler. It was a simple move, but one executed with precision against a defence caught momentarily off guard.

Tanzania pushed for an equaliser, making several attacking changes, but lacked the cutting edge to break through. Liechtenstein’s defensive discipline held firm under late pressure, securing only their fourth win in six years.

Estonia 1-1 Kenya (Estonia win 5-4 on penalties)

Estonia edged Kenya in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in Kigali.

The first half was cautious, with both teams probing but rarely committing numbers forward. Estonia took the lead in the 21st minute when Tanel Tammik finished a well-worked move, assisted by Kevor Palumets.

Kenya responded strongly after the break. Ryan Ogam equalised in the 51st minute, finishing confidently to reward a more aggressive approach. From there, Kenya grew into the game, dominating possession and creating the better chances.

However, Estonia’s defensive organisation and goalkeeping ensured the match went to penalties. The shootout was tense and finely balanced, with both teams converting consistently. Ultimately, misses from Mohammed Bajaber and Richard Odada proved costly for Kenya, as Estonia triumphed 5-4.

Uzbekistan 3-1 Gabon

Uzbekistan came from behind to secure an impressive 3-1 victory over Gabon in a clinical showing in Tashkent.

Gabon made a bright start, taking the lead in the 6th minute through Teddy Averlant, who finished neatly after a cross from the left. But their advantage was short-lived. Eldor Shomurodov equalised just eight minutes later, converting a cross to bring Uzbekistan level.

The game settled into a balanced contest before Uzbekistan asserted control in the second half. Debutant Jakhongir Urozov put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Shomurodov’s initial effort was saved.

Urozov then made a crucial defensive contribution, clearing off the line to preserve the lead. As Gabon pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Uzbekistan remained organised and struck again in stoppage time, with substitute Alisher Odilov sealing the win.

Chile 4-2 Cape Verde

Chile staged an impressive comeback to defeat Cape Verde 4-2, overturning a halftime deficit in a match defined by momentum shifts and a key red card.

Chile struck first through Ben Brereton Díaz in the 16th minute, but Cape Verde responded with energy and intent. Dailon Livramento equalised five minutes later, and Sidny Cabral gave them a 2-1 lead deep into first-half stoppage time.

The turning point came just before the break when Cape Verde were reduced to ten men following Diney Borges' dismissal after a VAR review. That decision proved decisive.

Chile dominated the second half, using their numerical advantage effectively. Maximiliano Gutiérrez equalised with a stunning long-range strike in the 58th minute, before Felipe Loyola put them ahead nine minutes later.

Substitute Gonzalo Tapia sealed the victory in the 79th minute, finishing clinically just moments after coming on. Cape Verde, despite their spirited first-half display, could not cope with the sustained pressure.

South Africa 1-1 Panama

South Africa were held to a 1-1 draw by Panama despite dominating large portions of the match in Durban.

Panama took the lead in the 23rd minute through Yoel Bárcenas, capitalising on a defensive lapse. South Africa responded well after the break, equalising in the 48th minute when Oswin Appollis finished a well-worked move.

Bafana Bafana controlled possession and created numerous chances, registering significantly more shots than their opponents. However, their lack of clinical finishing proved costly.

Panama remained disciplined defensively, with their goalkeeper playing a key role after coming on as a substitute due to injury. Despite sustained pressure, South Africa could not find a winner.

Ecuador 1-1 Morocco

Ecuador and Morocco played out a competitive 1-1 draw in a tactically rich encounter in New Jersey.

Morocco took the lead in the 38th minute through Amine Adli, who finished a slick team move after excellent work down the flank. Their midfield control, led by Sofyan Amrabat, dictated much of the first half.

Ecuador responded with greater intensity after the break, making key substitutions that shifted momentum. Kevin Rodríguez equalised in the 64th minute, heading home from a set piece.

The final stages were finely balanced, with both sides pushing for a winner. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a crucial late save to deny Enner Valencia, ensuring the match ended level.

Nigeria 2-1 Iran

Nigeria continued their positive preparations with a 2-1 win over Iran, delivering a disciplined and efficient performance despite the absence of Victor Osimhen.

The Super Eagles started brightly, taking the lead in the 6th minute when Moses Simon cut inside and finished low after a precise pass from Samuel Chukwueze. Their attacking movement and pace caused early problems for Iran.

Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 51st minute through Akor Adams, who showed composure to slip the ball past the goalkeeper after being played through on goal.

Iran responded in the 67th minute when Mehdi Taremi scored from close range following a corner, setting up a tense finish. However, Nigeria remained organised defensively, with substitutions helping to manage the game.

RESULTS

• Austria 5-1 Ghana
• Australia 1-0 Cameroon
• Liechtenstein 1-0 Tanzania
• Estonia 2-1 Kenya
• Uzbekistan 3-1 Gabon
• Chile 4-2 Cape Verde
• Panama 1-1 South Africa
• Ecuador 1-1 Morocco
• Iran 1-2 Nigeria