4th September, 2011
Nigerians were relieved as the Super Eagles grabbed a vital win in Madagascar this afternoon in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in Antananarivo.
Second half goals from Joseph Yobo and Victor Obinna Nsofor gave the Eagles a 2-0 away in Madagascar today to keep alive the hope of African Nations Cup qualification.
Reuters reports that Nigeria kept pace with Group B leaders, Guinea, who they will host in the final qualifying match next month. The two sides have 10 points but Guinea will be playing Ethiopia later today.
Captain Yobo scored from a John Obi Mikel corner in the 68th minute and Obinna hit home a long-range shot for a second eight minutes later in a result that will have provided much relief for the beleaguered Nigerians.
Nigeria coach Samson Siaisa, who earlier this week criticised his top players for a casual attitude towards national team duty, dropped long-standing first-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who had led a team sit-in over dissatisfaction with travel arrangements.
Coach Siasia told Nigerians on his facebook page after the match that “we still have a long way to go, but thank you all for the support. We play to win.and we pray to win.â€
The Super Eagles now travel from Madagascar to Bangladesh where they will play Argentina in an international friendly rematch on Tuesday.
The Eagles had on 1 June beat the Argies 4-1 at the Abuja National Stadium.