Efe Ambrose stunner is for baby girl

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has said his first minute goal against Liberia on Saturday in an AFCON qualifier is for his baby girl.

Ambrose rose above the Lone Star defence to power home a Victor Moses free kick beyond goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman to set the ball rolling for a big 6-1 home win and book qualification to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

“I dedicate my goal to my newly born baby, my angel Isrealle,” Ambrose told MTNFootball.com

“I give thanks to God for the goal and victory. We deserved it and the Nigerian football fan too deserved it. We are very happy here and fulfilled to get ticket.”

However, he saluted the courage of Liberia, who forced a 2-2 draw at home last month, and said the Eagles had to step up their game to ensure a convincing home win.

“The fact that we scored six goals does not mean the Liberians were easy. They did well but we were far better and that was why we won with such a wide margin,” said the central defender.

Another big winner on the day was Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who capped a solid performance in the heart of the engine room with his third international goal courtesy of a 50th minute penalty.

Fans in Calabar celebrated John Obi Mikel’s return to the Eagles by cheering his every touch and held a banner with the inscription ‘Mikel Obi, The Pride of Nigera’.

Mikel did not disappoint the fans as he capped a great individual display with a goal and an assist.

Questions over Mikel’s patriotism should all but cease after this outing.