Rwanda 0 vs 0 Nigeria – 29 February 2012
Match Type
Africa Cup of Nations 2013 Qualifiers
Venue
Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali, Rwanda
Coach
Stephen Keshi
Match Line Up
1 Vincent ENYEAMA (Goal Keeper)
Godfrey OBOABONA
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
Azubuike EGWUEKWE
3 Taye TAIWO
17 Dickson ETUHU
4 Joel OBI
Ejike UZOENYI
7 Ahmed MUSA
11 Osaze ODEMWINGIE
8 Aiyegbeni YAKUBU
Substitute Bench
Victor MOSES
Gabriel REUBEN
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
14 Sani KAITA
Uche KALU
Papa IDRIS
Chigozie AGBIM (Goal Keeper)
Substitutions
Ikechukwu UCHE for Osaze ODEMWINGIE 53
Victor MOSES for Ahmed MUSA 66
Gabriel REUBEN for Dickson ETUHU 72
Eagles first game wearing the newly designed jersey by kit sponsors Adidas.
Nigeria barely held hosts lively Rwanda to a 0-0 draw in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations first round, first leg qualifier in Kigali Wednesday.
The Eagles were expected to win this match, but the home team created more chances and should have got a result against their more illustrious foes save for poor finishing and some resolute defending by skipper Joseph Yobo, who was winning a record 87th international cap.
Nigeria play was generally uncoordinated but somehow they forced their way upfront often.
The midfield was again the problematic department for Keshi’s team as Fulham ace Dickson Etuhu and Joel Obi of Inter struggled to fashion an understanding in the engine room allowing the Rwandese to head for goal almost at will.
The host team thus finished the stronger in the first half owing to the collapse of the Nigeria midfield.
Eagles coach Stephen Keshi started three players from the Nigeria Premier League – Godfrey Oboabona, Ejike Uzoenyi and Azubuike Egwuekwe, who partnered Yobo in the heart of defence.
Osaze Odemwingie had a chance to put Nigeria ahead but he fired wide after just five minutes. He would later force a fine save from Rwanda goalkeeper Jean-Claude Ndori.
Nigeria thereafter took control of the game, but Rwanda, led by Oliver Karekezi, fought back even though they were often cynical in their approach, which will get three bookings in the first half.
Uzoenyi, who looked lively at the start of the game, saw his effort come off the woodwork in the first half, while Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was called to make a couple of saves as the home team gained in confidence and pressed for an opening goal.
In the second half, Nigeria created very little upfront forcing Keshi to pull out ineffective Osaze Odemwingie and Ahmed Musa for Ikechukwu Uche and Wigan winger Victor Moses.
Kano Pillars star Reuben Gabriel would also be brought in for Etuhu to shore up the midfield.
On the hour, substitute Uche saw his effort ruled out by the South African referee for offside.
However, the best chance of the entire game fell to Oboabona in second half stoppage time after some great individual run by Moses. Oboabona’s shot was blocked to ensure the spoils were split by Nigeria and Rwanda in Kigali.
The return leg match will be played in Abuja on June 17.
Rwanda lineup: Ndori, Karekezi, Gasawa, Kalisa, Iranzi, Nahinana, Muguraneza, Sibomana, Birori, Kagere, Haruna.
Nigeria 2 vs 0 Zambia – 15 November 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Kaduna Township Stadium, Kaduna, Nigeria
Coach
Stephen Keshi
Match Line Up
1 Vincent ENYEAMA (Goal Keeper)
Efe AMBROSE
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
3 Taye TAIWO
Dele ADELEYE
20 Dickson ETUHU
6 Fegor OGUDE
4 Joel OBI
12 Kalu UCHE
18 Ahmed MUSA
9 Emmanuel EMENIKE
Substitute Bench
Nosa IGIEBOR
Jude ANEKE
Ugo UKAH
Chibuzor OKONKWO
Austin EJIDE (Goal Keeper)
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
Substitutions
Nosa IGIEBOR for Kalu UCHE 80
Jude ANEKE for Emmanuel EMENIKE 74
Ugo UKAH for Dele ADELEYE 57
Chibuzor OKONKWO for Dickson ETUHU 54
Austin EJIDE for Vincent ENYEAMA 46
15 Ikechukwu UCHE for Fegor OGUDE 27
Goals
Kalu UCHE 9
Ikechukwu UCHE 90
Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced a stern examination from Africa Cup of Nations finalists Zambia, but came through with a 2-0 victory.
Goals from the Uche brothers Kalu and Ike sealed a resolute win for Stephen Keshi, on a day when Captain Joseph Yobo equaled Nigeria’s appearance record.
Yobo exhibited a commanding Man of the Match performance on the day.
The first goal was all about Ahmed Musa’s pace. In the ninth minute, Taye Taiwo’s free-kick came off the wall, he found Fegor Ogude, who slipped Musa through.
Musa’s pace got him in behind, and his cutback found Kalu Uche, and it was in.
Chipolopolo finished the half stronger, especially in midfield.
On 74 minutes NPL top scorer Jude Aneke came on for Emmanuel Emenike for his first cap.
Ike Uche scored the second with a screamer on 90 minutes, and completed a nervy but resolute win from the Super Eagles.
Zambia XI: K Mweene, F Kasonde, S Sunzu, N Mulenga, J Musonda, C Katongo, W Njobvu, F Katongo, C Mbesuma, E Mayuka, R Kalaba
Video
Nigeria 0 vs 0 Botswana – 12 November 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City, Nigeria
Coach
Stephen Keshi
Match Line Up
1 Vincent ENYEAMA (Goal Keeper)
5 Efe AMBROSE
13 Yussuf AYILA
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
3 Taye TAIWO
6 Fegor OGUDE
4 Joel OBI
20 Dickson ETUHU
12 Kalu UCHE
17 Ekigho EHIOSUN
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
Substitute Bench
16 Austin EJIDE (Goal Keeper)
7 Chinedu OBASI
8 Brown IDEYE
9 Emmanuel EMENIKE
10 Jude ANEKE
11 Nosa IGIEBOR
14 Dele ADELEYE
18 Ahmed MUSA
19 Gege SORIOLA
21 Elderson ECHIEJILE
22 Ugo UKAH
Substitutions
Elderson ECHIEJILE for Taye TAIWO
Chinedu OBASI for Ekigho EHIOSUN
Austin EJIDE for Vincent ENYEAMA
Ahmed MUSA for Ikechukwu UCHE
Brown IDEYE for Kalu UCHE
Nosa IGIEBOR for Joel OBI
Nigeria managed a goalless draw against Botswana in a friendly international in Benin City on Saturday evening in what was Coach Stephen Keshi’s first game in charge.
An enthusiastic crowd turned up to cheer the Super Eagles to victory, but they were left disappointed as the resolute, well coordinated Zebras held their own in defence to ward off the hosts in attack.
The Eagles found it hard to break down the Zebras with shots blocked by young goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe even as the Nigerians retained most of the possession throughout the game.
Ike Uche, Joel Obi and Fegor Ogude all saw their shots kept out by Dambe as rain poured down on the first half.
The eager fans then took to singing and asking for a goal in the second half that saw a series of changes made by both coaches.
Substitutes Brown Ideye, Chinedu Obasi and Ahmed Musa had opportunities saved as the game wore to a close.
Dickson Etuhu was voted the Most Valuable Player.
Nigeria will next play Zambia on November 15 in Kaduna as they seek to rebuild after missing out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana 0 vs 0 Nigeria – 11 October 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Vicarage Stadium, Watford, London
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
1 Austin EJIDE (Goal Keeper)
5 Efe AMBROSE
3 Taye TAIWO
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
13 Dele ADELEYE
4 Joel OBI
6 Fegor OGUDE
17 Ahmed MUSA
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
8 Brown IDEYE
Substitute Bench
Chigozie AGBIM (Goal Keeper)
Emmanuel EMENIKE
21 Elderson ECHIEJILE
10 John Obi MIKEL
7 Chinedu OBASI
16 Kalu UCHE
Gege SORIOLA
Peter UTAKA
Emmanuel EKPO
Ekigho EHIOSUN
Substitutions
Kalu UCHE for Ahmed MUSA 60
John Obi MIKEL for Joel OBI 67
Emmanuel EMENIKE for Brown IDEYE 74
Chinedu OBASI for Victor Obinna NSOFOR 80
Peter UTAKA for Ikechukwu UCHE 85
In-form Ghana were held to a 0-0 draw by a de-spirited Nigeria on Tuesday night in an international friendly played at the Vicarage Road Stadium.
The Super Eagles were on a reputation-saving mission after fluffing their lines to miss out on qualifying to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals and they responded to the task.
Head coach Samson Siasia was under pressure after the weekend’s debacle and he also achieved the result that can convince the Nigeria Football Federation technical team.
Ghana enjoyed more of the ball especially in the first part of the first half but could not turn their possession into penetration. Nigeria fought back and looked more dangerous going forward as Ike Uche and Brown Ideye threatened.
Both sides made use of their bench to make wholesale substitutions and the match should have produced some goals but ended goalless.
Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic and Nigeria coach Samson Siasia were both pleased with their teams’ performance.
Stevanovic says he will take it one step at a time on the way to the 2012 Nations Cup, while Siasia says he is proud of his team as one for the future.
Ghana XI: Adam Kwarasey, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Masahudu Alhassan – Anthony Annan, Mohammed Abu – Albert Adomah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Quincy Owusu Abeyie – Prince Tagoe
Substitutes: Daniel Agyei, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Derek Boateng, Lee Addy, Dominic Adiyiah, Samuel Inkoom, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu.
Nigeria 2 vs 2 Guinea – 8 October 2011
Match Type
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Qualifiers
Venue
Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
16 Dele AIYENUGBA (Goal Keeper)
6 Fegor OGUDE
5 Efe AMBROSE
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
3 Taye TAIWO
10 John Obi MIKEL
4 Joel OBI
7 Chinedu OBASI
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
11 Osaze ODEMWINGIE
9 Emmanuel EMENIKE
Substitute Bench
Austin EJIDE (Goal Keeper)
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
Dele ADELEYE
Ekigho EHIOSUN
Elderson ECHIEJILE
Ahmed MUSA
Brown IDEYE
Substitutions
Ahmed MUSA for Chinedu OBASI 57
Ikechukwu UCHE for Osaze ODEMWINGIE 60
Ekigho EHIOSUN for Joel OBI 72
Goals
Ismael Bangoura 54
Victor Obinna NSOFOR 63
Ikechukwu UCHE 77
Ibrahima Diallo 90+5
The Nigerian National team failed to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations that will be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon after they could only draw 2-2 against Guinea. Samson Siasia and his men, who will have a lot of questions to answer, have now joined other big countries Cameroon and Egypt on the sidelines.
Instead the Syli Stars grabbed the ticket from Group 2 after they won the group.
The game which was played at the Abuja National Stadium saw the Eagles fly out of the blocks. They put the Guinean team on the back foot, creating chance after chance, but they failed to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Although the Guineans tried to slow down the pace of the game with time wasting antics, the Eagles carved them open several times.
The best two chances of the first half fell to West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike.
Osaze scuffed his shot after excellent work from Taye Taiwo on the left while Emenike could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper after outmuscling a Guinean defender.
The second half started on the same note, only for Ismael Bangoura to give Guinea the lead after a mix-up in Nigeria’s defence.
Samson Siasia responded swiftly, throwing in Ikechukwu Uche for Odemwingie. The move paid off as Ikechukwu’s deft back heel fell to Nsofor, who glided through the Guinean defence and fired in the equalizer.
Ikechukwu himself added the second goal as he connected sweetly with a knock down by fellow striker Emenike. At that point in time, everyone expected Nigeria to push on and score the all important third goal.
It was not to be. Ibrahima Traore’s goal deep into stoppage time ensured Guinea’s progress and means Nigeria fail to qualify for the first time since 1986.
They will be absent from the competition for the first time since 1996 when they didn’t participate owing to political reasons and 1998 when they were subsequently banned as punishment.
The Super Eagles went into the match needing to win 1-0 or by two clear goals if Guinea scored. But even a one goal lead as at 2-1 would most likely have been good enough to put them through as one of the two best runners-up from Groups A–J.
Guinean Team: Naby-Moussa Yattara, Dianbobo Baldé, Morlaye Cissé, Kamil Zayatte, Ibrahima Diallo, Mamadou Bah, Ibrahima Traoré, Kévin Constant , Sadio Diallo, Pascal Feindouno, Ismaël Bangoura
Argentina 3 vs 1 Nigeria – 6 September 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
16 Dele AIYENUGBA (Goal Keeper)
6 Chibuzor OKONKWO
2 Dele ADELEYE
5 Efe AMBROSE
3 Elderson ECHIEJILE
14 Fegor OGUDE
10 John Obi MIKEL (Captain)
4 Joel OBI
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
20 Solomon OKORONKWO
11 Brown IDEYE
Substitute Bench
7 Chinedu OBASI
12 Ahmed MUSA
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
Emmanuel EKPO
Peter UTAKA
Substitutions
Chinedu OBASI for Solomon OKORONKWO 45
Ahmed MUSA for Joel OBI 45
Ikechukwu UCHE for Victor Obinna NSOFOR 66
Emmanuel EKPO for John Obi MIKEL 70
Peter UTAKA for Brown IDEYE 83
Goals
Higuaín 24
Di María 27
Chinedu OBASI 47
Elderson ECHIEJILE 65 (Own Goal)
Two-time world champions Argentina defeated Nigeria 3-1 to get their pound of flesh after they lost 4-1 to the Super Eagles in Abuja in June.
Argentina enjoyed the possession particularly in the first 45 minutes with start attraction Lionel Messi very central in their revenge win.
He created two of his team’s goals, while Elderson Echiejile put the ball through his own net for the South Americans third goal.
The Super Eagles lacked organisation in the midfield and this allowed Argentina to pile pressure directly on a very experimental back four of Elderson Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Efe Ambrose and Dele Adeleye.
Nigeria, who were missing skipper Joseph Yobo and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, were led by Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi.
Argentina controlled things from the first whistle inside a packed Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as Nigeria preferred to sit back and defend inside their own area.
World Footballer of the Year Messi enjoyed his free role as he was always behind all the good things by Argentina.
In the 24th minute, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain controlled a first-time pass by Messi right inside the box before he fired home the opening goal in this rematch.
Two minutes later, Messi robbed Mikel of the ball in the middle of the pitch, before he ghosted past four Nigerian markers. His shot was slowed down by a diving goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba only for Angel di Maria to easily tap home the rebound for the second goal.
Coach Samson Siasia threw in Ahmed Musa and Chinedu Obasi into the fray for the restart and Nigeria were promptly rewarded three minutes after the break when Obasi fired home off a Mikel cross from the left.
Nigeria went on the back foot boosted by this goal. They were more comfortable on the ball and passed the ball among themselves with confidence.
However, Argentina fought back soon after to get a lucky third goal in the 66th minute.
It was an own goal by Elderson Echiejile just when it seemed the Eagles defence had shut out Higuain inside the box, the ball came off the body of the Israel-based central defender to give the South Americans a two-goal cushion.
US-based playmaker Emmanuel Ekpo finally made his long-awaited Eagles debut as Nigeria now shift attention to their must-win nations Cup qualifier at home to Guinea next month.
Argentina XI: S. Romero, N. Burdisso, M. Demichelis, N. Otamendi, J. Mascherano, M. Rojo , P. Zabaleta, J. Sosa, Á. Di María, G. Higuaín, L. Messi
Subs: S. Agüero, E. Banega, F. Fernández, R. Álvarez, J. Gutiérrez
Madagascar 0 vs 2 Nigeria – 4 September 2011
Match Type
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Qualifiers
Venue
Stade Municipal de Mahamasina, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
16 Dele AIYENUGBA (Goal Keeper)
6 Chibuzor OKONKWO
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
5 Efe AMBROSE
3 Elderson ECHIEJILE
4 Joel OBI
10 John Obi MIKEL
12 Ahmed MUSA
9 Victor ANICHEBE
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
Substitute Bench
1 Chigozie AGBIM (Goal Keeper)
7 Chinedu OBASI
13 Emmanuel EMENIKE
11 Solomon OKORONKWO
8 Nosa IGIEBOR
14 Fegor OGUDE
17 Dele ADELEYE
Substitutions
Emmanuel EMENIKE for Ahmed MUSA 46
Fegor OGUDE for Ikechukwu UCHE 66
Chinedu OBASI for Joel OBI 70
Goals
Joseph YOBO 68
Victor Obinna NSOFOR 72
Nigeria maintained their sights on Group B leaders Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations 2012 qualification match with a 2-0 defeat of Madagascar on Sunday.
The Super Eagles overcame atrocious playing conditions to triumph in the last 20 minutes with goals from Joseph Yobo and Obinna Nsofor.
The first half ended goalless in the half-filled stadium in Antananarivo, where the hosts had fielded a weakened Under-23 side.
Nigeria needed all three points to keep pace with Guinea, who host Ethiopia in a late game on Sunday.
Captain Yobo scored from a John Obi Mikel corner kick to give the Super Eagles the lead after a nervy hour.
Nsofor shot well to make it 2-0 on 75 minutes, giving the visitors confidence as the hosts looked for a way back, making for a nervous finish where Nigeria was concerned.
The Super Eagles now have 10 points and will need a home victory against Guinea in Abuja in October if they hope to secure automatic qualification for AFCON 2012.
Nigeria coach Samson Siaisa, who earlier this week criticized 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.
The victory came at a cost; however, as striker Victor Anichebe picked up a groin injury in the final minutes and is unlikely to travel with the team to Bangladesh for their friendly against Argentina on Tuesday.
Nigeria will now travel from Madagascar to Bangladesh where they play Argentina in a friendly on Tuesday.
Madagascar Line Up: 1. Robin, 20. Leonard, 3. Bosco, 4. Ndrasana, 8. Jean Baptiste, 6. Ando, 5. Urban, 18. Jean Jacques, 15. Tigana, 11. Yvan, 10. Ferdinand
Ethiopia 2 vs 2 Nigeria – 5 June 2011
Match Type
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Qualifiers
Venue
Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
1 Vincent ENYEAMA (Goal Keeper)
6 Chibuzor OKONKWO
3 Taye TAIWO
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
5 Efe AMBROSE
4 Joel OBI
10 John Obi MIKEL
7 Ahmed MUSA
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
8 Peter UTAKA
Substitute Bench
Ekigho EHIOSUN
17 Fegor OGUDE
9 Victor ANICHEBE
Substitutions
Ekigho EHIOSUN for Peter UTAKA
Fegor OGUDE for Victor Obinna NSOFOR
Victor ANICHEBE for Ikechukwu UCHE
Goals
Ikechukwu UCHE 27
Saladin SEID 45
Saladin SEID 50
Joseph YOBO 86
Ethiopia held Nigeria to a 2-2 draw on Sunday in the fourth round of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification to join Group B leaders Guinea on seven points.
New coach Samson Siasia and his men stormed Addis Ababa with hope of securing a vital win to overtake the West African side but the Ethiopians, who suffered a 4-0 drubbing against the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture, were determined to make the most of home advantage and put the visitors under severe pressure in the opening exchanges.
For the first goal Mikel Obi found Ahmed Musa with a visionary pass, and the young winger in turn slit the defence with an intelligent ball to put Uche one on one with the goalkeeper. There was to be only one winner. It was just three minutes short of the half hour mark.
The hosts refused to lie down, Menyehele Tesmome found himself in acres of real estate down the right channel, and with Taiwo closing him down, albeit slowly, delivered what looked like a harmless, hopeful cross to the back post.
Enyeama, partly deceived by the win, misjudged the ball, and Said headed in from a tight angle. Ecstasy for the home fans, who had been pelting members of the Nigerian Supporters Club with bottles of water a few moments earlier, forcing a move to a different stand for the visiting fans.
Things got worse for the Nigerians just three minutes after the break. Despite racing onto the pitch a full two minutes before their hosts, and the officials, they found themselves on the back foot very quickly.
Another of the long balls over the top that had proved so hard to handle, came loping in. Ambrose, under pressure from Said, headed it back to Enyeama. The header was short; the keeper came out half a second too late. Said showed no such hesitation and it was 2-1 to the hosts. The bouncing in the stadium, full to its 35 000 capacity, could have caused a minor tremor in Addis Ababa.
So deep were the hosts defending, however, that a goal looked like it would only come from a moment of brilliance, or an attacking blitzkrieg. Samson Siasia opted for the latter, making three attack-minded substitutions, with Ekigho Ehiosun on for Utaka, Fegor Ogude for Obinna Nsofor and Anichebe for Uche.
Fegor’s introduction allowed Mikel to push and stay forward, and twice he came close to scoring, denied first by an excellent piece of defending on the edge of the box, and then by a goalkeeping brilliance.
But at least he can claim credit for the assist when he delivered another inch-perfect ball to Yobo, again lurking at the back post, to head in with four minutes left.
Nigeria now top Group B with seven points with a slightly better goal difference than Guinea, who face Madagascar tonight.
Ethiopia Line Up: Yidinekachew, Alula, Degu, Abebaw, Aynalem, Asrat, Tesfaye Alebachew, Menyahel Teshome, Oumed, Adane, Saladin
Nigeria 4 vs 1 Argentina – 1 June 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
1 Vincent ENYEAMA (Goal Keeper)
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
3 Taye TAIWO
5 Efe AMBROSE
6 Chibuzor OKONKWO
10 John Obi MIKEL
4 Joel OBI
12 Kalu UCHE
15 Ikechukwu UCHE
18 Victor Obinna NSOFOR
9 Victor ANICHEBE
Substitute Bench
16 Dele ADELEYE (Goal Keeper)
13 Yussuf AYILA
17 Fegor OGUDE
7 Ahmed MUSA
8 Peter UTAKA
11 Emmanuel EMENIKE
Substitutions
Emmanuel EMENIKE for Victor ANICHEBE 44
Dele ADELEYE for Vincent ENYEAMA 46
Ahmed MUSA for Kalu UCHE 46
Yussuf AYILA for Chibuzor OKONKWO 67
Fegor OGUDE for Joel OBI 72
Peter UTAKA for Victor Obinna NSOFOR 80
Goals
Ikechukwu UCHE 9
Victor Obinna NSOFOR 26 (Penalty)
Ikechukwu UCHE 39
Emmanuel EMENIKE 51
Mauro BOSELLI 90 (Penalty)
Nigeria recording one of their most memorable wins ever following a 4-1 drubbing of Argentina at the National Stadium in Abuja on Wednesday evening.
The visitors paid heavily for fielding an experimental side, with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero all absent.
A ‘B’ side trying to force their way into Argentina coach Sergio Batista’s Copa America squad were soundly beaten.
Ikechukwu Uche (2), Obinna Nsofor and Emmanuel Emenike netted for the hosts before Mauro Boselli’s late penalty.
Nigeria coach Samson Siasia and his men will now travel to Ethiopia for Sunday’s Group B qualifier in buoyant mood.
“Let’s not take anything away from the importance of this win,” Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo said afterwards.
The absence of so many big names had initially provoked anger among some Nigerian fans but this may now be overlooked given the manner of victory.
“We knew Argentina had good players and we knew we had to score early to have any chance,” said Uche. “This is a big morale booster for us.”
Uche grabbed his first early on as his shot deflected over the Argentina goalkeeper.
Victor Obinna converted a hotly-contested penalty just before the half-hour before Uche scored the third in the 40th minute, heading home at the back post after a perfect cross from Taye Taiwo.
To the delight of the 30,000 fans who watched inside the Abuja National Stadium, Siasia’s men then took a four-goal lead.
Substitute Emmanuel Emenike, who had minutes earlier missed in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, continued the fairytale on 53 minutes. Again the static Argentina defence was caught out, allowing Emenike to run onto a long ball and calmly chip the goalie for his first Super Eagles goal.
Deep into injury time, Mauro Boselli grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors, who performed well below par.
Nigeria could literally have had at least another three goals, but none the less they will settle for the morale-boosting 4-1 win ahead of the more important African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia. While Argentina will host the Copa America, South American continental championships, from 01-24 July.
Argentina Line Up: 1-Adrian Gabbarini; 2-Ezequiel Garay (13-Mateo Musacchio, 65), 3-Emiliano Insua 4-Pablo Zabaleta, 6-Federico Fazio; 5-Mario Bolatti, 8-Fernando Belluschi (15-Nicolas Bertolo, 62), 14-Alberto Costa (20-Alejandro Cabral, 58), 10-Nicolas Gaitan; 9-Mauro Boselli, 18-Diego Perotti (11-Franco Jara, 70).
Referee: Ibrahim Chaibou (Niger)
Nigeria 2 vs 1 Sierra Leone – 9 February 2011
Match Type
Friendly game
Venue
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria
Coach
Samson Siasia
Match Line Up
Dele AIYENUGBA (Goal Keeper)
Chibuzor OKONKWO
2 Joseph YOBO (Captain)
Michael ODIBE
3 Taye TAIWO
Femi AJILORE
4 Joel OBI
Ahmed MUSA
Peter UTAKA
11 Osaze ODEMWINGIE
Emmanuel EMENIKE
Substitute Bench
Bassey AKPAN (Goal Keeper)
12 Ekigho EHIOSUN
Julius UBIDO
Olubayo ADEFEMI
Abdulwasiu SOWEMIMO
Osas OKORO
Substitutions
Bassey AKPAN for Dele AIYENUGBA
Ekigho EHIOSUN for Emmanuel EMENIKE 39
Julius UBIDO for Joel OBI 64
Olubayo ADEFEMI for Chibuzor OKONKWO 66
Abdulwasiu SOWEMIMO for Michael ODIBE 82
Osas OKORO for Osaze ODEMWINGIE 84
Goals
Taye TAIWO 15 (Penalty)
Ekigho EHIOSUN 44
Mohammed KABIA 90
He did look nervy in the end, and that image of him biting his fingernails will take while to leave the memory, but Samson Siasia got off to a win in his first match as Super Eagles coach, claiming a 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone in Lagos.
Taye Taiwo’s first half penalty and Ekigho Ehiosun’s toe-poke in the second had the Super Eagles flying, but their spirits were deflated by a late Sierra Leone goal two minutes from time.
Siasia has spent the weeks since his appointment promising attacking football, and on that score he delivered. Every chance the Eagles got, they attacked the Leone Stars down the wide areas. Ahmed Musa, who broke the Nigerian domestic league goal scoring record last term, was proving particularly troublesome down the right channel with his pace and guile.
Peter Utaka was not quite as effective on the other flank, but he is a central striker.
It was the visitors who got the first opportunity, with barely three minutes played when Mohammed Bangoura’s cross cum shot forced Dele Ayenugba into a fingertip save. But from then on, it was Nigeria.
Utaka was denied a penalty when clean through on goal, but was awarded one for a trip that looked dodgy. Taye Taiwo had no complaints as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put the Eagles ahead.
Emmanuel Emenike, one of three debutants on the night, missed a fine chance to double the advantage when he muscled his way in from the left flank and just failed to put the ball under the keeper.
His day was ended when he collided with an opponent in midfield and had to be stretchered off. It was his replacement, domestic league top scorer Ekigho Ehiosun, who doubled Nigeria’s advantage.
Fed from a short corner routine between Osaze Odemwingie and Joel Obi, Ehiosun arrived with a poacher’s instinct to get a toe to Obi’s excellent delivery.
Odemwingie had the ball in the net for 3-0, but the flag denied him. Replays showed the assistant referee was wrong.
And the decision was to prove costly, when the visitors found space behind substitute Adefemi Olubayo and ripped a shot past Aiyenugba. Cue boos from the Lagos crowd.
But the Eagles rallied, and towards the end, they had won back the support of their fans. There is still a long road to travel, but now the hard work has started for Siasia.
Sierra Leone Line up: John Trye, Gibrilla Fofanah (Ayo King Alpha Lansana), Salieu Kamara, Salifu Samura, Desmond Wellington, David Simbo (Mohamed Mansaray), Alusine Kamara, Julius Woobay, Sheriff Suma, Ibrahim Bangura (Mohamed Kabia), Mohamed Kallon
(Sam Obi Metzer Junior),
