Alfred Effiong inspires Malta to draw

Nigerian-born striker Alfred Effiong inspired Malta to a 2-2 draw at home with Azerbaijan in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday.

It was Malta’s second point in the qualifying series.

The 30-year-old striker assisted Michael Misfud to draw level in the 55th minute.

Effiong went on to give Malta a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute, but Rahid Amirquliev made it 2-2 to complete a brace.

Malta though are rooted to the bottom of a group that also has Italy, Croatia and Bulgaria.

The Balzan forward got his Maltese passport in March and debuted same month in a 2-0 loss to Georgia in a friendly game.

He scored his first goal against Lithuania in 2-0 win in a friendly in June and he has now scored three goals in seven games.