UPDATE 1-Soccer-Algeria draw with Mexico as African heavyweights fail to find form

(Adds details of later matches)
By Mark Gleeson
CAPE TOWN, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Ten-man Algeria gave up a late
equaliser and had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their friendly
against Mexico in The Hague on Tuesday on a night of little
cheer for some of Africa's heavyweight teams.
Several leading sides were playing friendly internationals
in preparation for next month's resumption of the Africa Cup of
Nations qualifiers, but there was little for them to enthuse
over.
Ismael Bennacer and Riyad Mahrez scored for Algeria but they
had to play much of the second half down to 10-men after
midfielder Adlene Guedioura was sent off for a second booking.
The African champions came from behind to lead when already
at a numerical disadvantage but gave up an 86th-minute equaliser
to Diego Lainez.
In Utrecht, Japan's late substitute Naomichi Ueda struck a
stoppage-time winner against the Ivory Coast, who had let key
attacker Wilfried Zaha return to his club Crystal Palace before
the match after an injury scare.
Nigeria took a 21st-minute lead in Sankt Veit an der Glan
against Tunisia through Kelechi Iheanacho but Mohamed Drager
tapped in for the equaliser just before the interval.
Morocco went ahead against the Democratic Republic of Congo
in Rabat through Dutch-born defender Noussair Mazraoui on the
stroke of halftime but were stunned by a 60th-minute equaliser
for Yoane Wissa with the game ending 1-1.
Veteran Mateus Galiano scored twice as Angola hammered
Mozambique 3-0 in Rio Maior, Portugal while Niger were 1-0 home
winners over Sierra Leone.
Senegal called off their home friendly against neighbours
Mauritania just hours before kick off on Tuesday because of
COVID-19 infections in the visitors' camp.
The announcement by the Senegalese Football Federation
(FSF)brought to four the number of internationals involving
African countries called off over the last two days because of
novel coronavirus infections or concerns over infections.
Senegal, already without talisman Sadio Mane who last week
tested positive, were due to host the game in Thies.
The FSF statement said that after testing, eight members of
the Mauritanian party were found to be positive, forcing the
cancellation.
New infections in Mali's camp led to the cancellation of
Tuesday's friendly against Iran in Antalya, Turkey.
It was called off on Monday after two more infections in the
Mali squad added to four positive cases last week.
Gambia's match against Guinea in Portugal was also called
off 24 hours before kick off because of alleged COVID-19
infections in the Guinea camp that left them with just nine
players available.
Another planned friendly in Portugal at the weekend between
Angola and Guinea Bissau was also cancelled.
The Angolan federation said their Guinea Bissau opponents
had not taken tests in time and because the results would only
be available after the kick off, the game was cancelled.

(Editing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)