In the final Group C game, the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles settled for a 4-3-3 formation showing an intent of attacking football with Ike Uche starting his first game of the tournament upfront with Nigeria’s leading scorer Emenike and Victor Moses. As expected with regards to the formation the Eagles started the game showing they needed the win more. Oh by the way the Super Eagles played against Ethiopia in this crunch Group C tie, I thought they were going to be easy prey. Both sides had the chance to make it to the quarter finals so as the other teams in the group (Zambia and Burkina Faso). I am so sorry I can’t start doing the calculations here. The Ethiopians gradually got into the game and it looked balanced, I am sure a lot of people won’t agree with me. The drab first half ended goalless though Nigeria should have easily taken the lead if our shots towards goal were lower instead of the rugby style of approach the guys adopted.
The second half kicked off and I didn’t really pay attention, I picked the joy of being an uncle over dying because of a team that were clueless and embarrassing. Yes I love babies, I was playing with my cute niece, while a number of you must have thought I switched to Tinsel. Well you guessed right, while rocking my niece I was also enjoying Tinsel though they hardly show Shalewa these days. I wonder why. Something just told me to hand the baby back to her mother, return to the room and carry on with the game (No be dual view decoder we get). I don’t have a plasma or some correct gadget like that in my room. Na my DSTV Walka 7 I dey take watch the match. As I tuned back into the game, I saw people in the Ethiopian 18 yard box and Victor Moses was about to take a spot kick, meanwhile I heard goal from outside our building it was then it dawned on me the walka was a few seconds slow. Anyway the koko of the matter was we (Nigeria) were awarded a penalty after an Ethiopian player carelessly fouled Moses in the box and Moses scored the resultant penalty, 1-0 shikena.
After the Eagles scored, I thought we were in firm control of the game only for sloppy defending to nearly cost us the match. The Ethiopians broke free and nearly equalized, thanks to the most experienced player on the pitch, the Eagles’ goalie Enyeama who pulled off a world class save. Nigeria needed to be careful even as scores were level in the Burkina Faso versus Zambia game, they risked being eliminated. If Ethiopia had leveled the scores, Nigeria would have been kicked out due to the amount of bookings (Yellow and red cards) amassed. So Zambia would have just qualified based on fair play. Fate would not have it that way as Nigeria pushed forward for a second goal with a superb counter attack with neat interchange of passes between Moses and Ahmed Musa who replaced Ike Uche and as Moses tried dribbling pass the Ethiopian goalie he was fouled and another penalty awarded. The keeper was sent off rightfully. The Ethiopians had exhausted all their subs and it had to be an outfield player that would take the place of the goaltender. Moses took the penalty and scored.
Nigeria qualified as group runners up behind Burkina Faso who played out a goalless draw with defending champions Zambia. Now to the banters, Stephen Keshi obviously knew to avoid Ivory Coast in the quarter finals, we needed to top the group. By topping the group, we needed to score at least four goals. What the hell did he bring Yobo on for? Still respect the big boss (Keshi) though. Zambia has to be the worst defending champions just ahead of Chelsea and it’s only an Arsenal fan that would be happy with Nigeria’s result. Sebi we qualified abi? SMHISM (SHAKING MY HEAD IN SLOW MOTION).
It’s not that I am scared of Ivory Coast o, infact it’s perfect we are playing them next so we could truly see the weakness of the Naija team. My prediction for the game? Nigeria will beat Ivory Coast. Ike Uche hasn’t been the player he is capable of being. Igiebor my man didn’t even feature at all in this final group game. The best Nigerian player on the night was Sunday Mba. Nigeria need to be really careful with the way they tackle.
In other unrelated AFCON news, QPR held Shitty to a goalless draw. Harry Houdini sorry Harry Redknapp is definitely doing magic. Three big games (Spurs, Chelsea and Shitty in back to back league matches) no goals conceded and 5 points garnered. This gives Manchester United a chance to increase their lead at the top of the EPL to seven points when they host Southampton tonight.
Thanks again for your time……………………………………………………….. BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Twitter handles: @dipoogun or @theswizzmemoirs
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Nice bt my best player in d super eagles team is ogunode or something.
I started reading this writer when he used to write for Tooxclusive and i’m very impressed with his growth. Well done Dipo.