The Super Eagles secured their first win in the African
Nations Championship after beating their southern Africans opponents in a
six-goal thriller.
Nigeria continued their quest for a debut CHAN trophy
with a 4-2 defeat of Mozambique at the Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on Wednesday
night.
A brace from Rabiu Ali and one goal each from Ifeanyi Ede
and substitute Barnabas Imenger were all
Stephen Keshi's men needed to brush aside Joao Chisano’s team on a night
of exciting football artistry.
The much talked about game between the two debutants
kicked off on a bright note as both sides who were still fresh from their
opening defeats contested for every ball to gain possession.
However, it was the Mozambicans that got the curtain
raiser through captain Dário Khan in the 10th minute. Khan shot a free kick
from almost half way that sailed above and beyond Chigozie Agbim who was still
arranging his wall.
Nigeria reacted immediately by getting the equaliser in
the 11th minute through Ede who shot past Soarito off a header from Azubuike
Egwuekwe. This motivated the Super Eagles and they got their second of the
night two minutes later through Ali. He beat the opponent’s goalkeeper from a
long range that drew a big applause from the fans.
While it looked like Keshi’s men were in cruise control,
they soon let defensive lapses give the Mozambicans a well deserved equaliser
in the 20th minute through Alberto Diogo. The Mambas striker put the ball into
an empty net as Agbim failed to clear Maninho's lay off.
The Eagles regrouped but all efforts to get into the lead
proved futile as Chisano’s men looked resolute in defence and well coordinated
in the midfield. At halftime, the game ended two goals apiece.
On resumption of the second half, Nigeria were in firm control
as they looked better organised and confident on the ball and in the 47th
minute man of the match Ejike Uzoenyi could have given his side the lead but
his shot from just outside the box could not threaten goalkeeper Soares.
Ali put Nigeria in the lead five minutes later from the
penalty spot as Uzoenyi's shot was adjudged to have struck the arm of a Mambas
defender according to referee Bangoura.
While it looked like the Mambas would recover, substitute
Imenger, who came on for hardworking striker Gbolahan Salami, sealed the win
with the fourth goal for Nigeria with two minutes to regulation time. The super-sub profited from a Solomon Kwambe
pass and chipped it over Soares to give the Eagles a two goal cushion.
Nigeria will now face hosts South Africa in a make or
break game on Sunday. Bafana Bafana had earlier in the day played out a 1-1
draw against Les Aigles of Mali.
Culled from Goal
