13th October, 2013
ADEBOBOLA ALAWODE
The Super Eagles of Nigeria Sunday evening moved a step closer to the Brazil 2014 World Cup after recording an away 2-1 victory over the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the first leg playoff decided in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Eagles came from behind to shock the hosts at home with a victory, thanks to a brace from Emmanuel Emenike, the star of the match.
The East Africans started on the front foot forcing the Eagles to concede two corner kicks inside the opening two minutes and stayed in control for a greater part of the game but the Stephen Keshi-led side got the job done before the end of ninety minutes.
Super Eagles’ stand-in captain, Vincent Enyeama gifted the hosts their solitary goal in the 57th minute through a goal keeping blunder from a cross.
The goal was slotted in by Ethiopia’s midfielder the 20 year old, Behailu Gobeze Assefa.
But the Eagles bounced back 10 minutes after, with Emenike netting a screamer from outside the area to restore parity before his second for Nigeria’s decider from the spot on 88th minute.
Emenike gave the Ethiopian keeper no chance, as he slotted the ball in the right hand corner of the goal post.
It was a tupsy-turvy affair for the Eagles as they struggled to control the ball. The hosts dominated the play in the first half as they made the Nigerians look so ordinary.
The East Africans received a booking , while the Nigerians were not booked throughout the pulsating encounter despite playing in a high altitude weather.
The opening goal on 57th minute by Ethiopia’s 20 year-old midfielder, Behailu Gobeze Assefa appeared to have been the tonic the Nigerians needed to shock them out of their doldrums on the 57th minute.
Emenike replied for Nigeria ten minutes after.
Thereafter, the Nigerians took control of the match, dictating the pace and notching several missed opportunities in front of the Ethiopian goal.
The victory puts the Eagles in the driving seat for the return leg in Nigeria at the U J Esuene stadium on 16 November 2013.