CHAN 2014: Mali beat Nigeria’s Eagles

Debutants Home-Eagles of Nigeria were beaten by Mali 2-1 in the second game of Day One of the African Nations Championship, CHAN, at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa Saturday night.

The Nigerian team handled in this tournament by African Coach of the Year award winner, Stephen Keshi failed to start their campaign on a winning note as they succumbed to the superior power of the Malian team.

Abdoulaye Sissoko got Mali to a bright night in the 18th minute.

Sissoko was fed on the right and with space at his disposal shot the ball from inside the box. Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe tried to get his body on the line, but he only managed to deflect the ball past the helpless Nigerian goalkeeper, Christopher Agbim.

Throughout the remaining minutes of the first half, the Malians’ pressure on the Eagles was relentless.

Agbim, however reacted in lightening fashion to deny the opponents more goals.

Keshi’s Eagles had three shots on goal, but could not really claim to have enjoyed any clear cut goal scoring opportunity. The Malians on the other hands had full value for their lead before the half ended.

The second half started with the Nigerian team trying helplessly to get an equaliser, but Adama Traore made it 2-0 for Mali in what could be described as a simple goal. Nigerian backline was hopeless when Ousmane Keita crossed from the left, which Traore picked and fired through the legs of Agbim to make it 2-0 for the Malians in the 50th minute.

Consolation however came for Nigeria’s local boys when substitute Gbolahan Salami rose high to meet a free-kick and planted a header past Malian goalkeeper, Soumaila Diakite in the 55th minute of play.

Desperate Nigerian team piled up the pressure on the Malians to save their faces for an equaliser but this could not be until the referee blew the whistle after a four-minute added time.

Keshi and his team are now under pressure to improve quickly ahead of their next game against Mozambique.

Meanwhile, South Africa are in top of Group A after beating Mozambique 3-1 in the opening match.