Nigeria drew 2-2 away to Liberia in the first leg of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Monrovia on Saturday night.

The result sees the Super Eagles favoured to progress to the AFCON finals in South Africa when the second leg is played in Nigeria in October, though it was not the result many pundits expected.

Liberia took a shock lead early in the game through Omega Roberts, but within eight minutes the visitors had turned the game on its head through strikes by Nosa Igiebor and an Ike Uche penalty.

Nigeria looked to be on course for an away win, but on 66 minutes Liberia levelled the game at 2-2 through Sekou Iliseh after a blunder by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

The Super Eagles were tipped to win the game comfortably but with two away goals in the bag, they will at least start the second leg knowing that a clean sheet will guarantee a place in the Nations Cup.