15th January, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were made to sweat for a 4-2 victory over the Mambas of Mozambique in their second Group A match of the African Nations Championship, CHAN, in Cape Town, South Africa Wednesday night.
The match, which produced six goals thriller, saw pre match favourites, Nigeria’s Home Eagles receiving the shock of their life when the Mozambicans drew the first blood.
Mozambique scored their first goal when defender Dario Khan fired in an unstoppable long range freekick from 35 yards on the 10 minute of play.
A minute later, Enyimba of Aba player, Ifeanyi Ede with a straightforward finish steered home a half volley to equalise for Nigeria when Mozambican defenders fail to deal with a throw in. The Mozambicans painfully learnt the hardway that you are most vulnerable just after you have just scored.
In the 13th minute, Rabiu Ali of Nigeria picked up a loose ball just outside the penalty area. He showed some good footworks before letting it fly from distance. Although Mozambique’s goalkeeper, Soarito got a hand to it, the force behind the strike was ferocious and it was 2-1 to the Super Eagles.
The Mambas of Mozambique got their equaliser when in the 20th minute, midfieder Diogo fired into an empty net after Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim failed to cut a pass from Maninho.
The first half witnessed a frantic start with end-to-end action, but the two teams were more cautious during the later stage of the half. This made the game to lose some of its stings.
At a stage, both sides looked to attack at every opportunity with their defences not coming out on top.
Nigeria started the second half with a number of blocked shots from the corner, but in the 52nd they won a penalty when Mozambique’s Khan was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. The third goal came for the Eagles as Rabiu Ali scored the spot kick.
Nigeria got two chances to score in the 75th minute when 3SC of Ibadan player, Gbolahan Salami’s shot was blocked, then cleared off the line by Mambas’s defender, Miro. Moments later Abdullahi Shehu fired straight at goalkeeper Soarito.
With 10 minutes to go, a change by Coach Stephen Keshi proved the magic that produced the fourth goal for Nigeria as substitute Imenger Barnabas who replaced Salami broke free from the opposition defence before he lobbed the ball to the back of the net in the 88th minute.
With three points in two matches, Nigeria will have their hands full when they meet hosts, South Africa in the last match of the group. The hosts are leading the group with four points after playing a 1-1 draw with Mali Wednesday evening.
Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Ingesund was on the spectator stand to watch Nigeria versus Mozambique tie.
Also on the stand was CAF supremo, Issa Hayatou.