Nigeria/Ethiopia: Super Eagles in Resounding Afcon Victory

John Egbokhan & Fidelis Ebu

28 March 2011

A brace each by Peter Utaka and super sub, Ikechukwu Uche gave the Super Eagles a resounding 4-0 victory over Ethiopia in their Nations Cup qualifier last night in Abuja.

Peter Utaka opened scores 26 seconds after kick off. Good work by Chibuzor Okonkwo as he linked well with Victor Anichebe who eventually made a defense splitting pass which Utaka aided in with a slide touch for the opener.

After the initial shock that followed the early goal against them, the Ethiopians settled for business thwarted all efforts by the Nigerians to increase the tally.

John Obi Mikel and Joel Obi combined well in the midfield but the attack which was spearheaded by Victor Anichebe could not clickn when it mattered most. Goal scorer Peter Utaka, Obinn Nsofor and Anichebe missed a couple of chances that could have increased the goal tally for the Eagles.

Midfield maestro, Joel Obi took a beautiful volleyed from about thirty meters away, but the Ethiopian keeper parried it to the touch line for a corner kick which was wasted. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.

Utaka his second goal for Nigeria in the 53rd minut. After the goal, Coach Samson Siasia brought in Osaze Odemwinge in place of Victor Anichebe. Ahmed Musa who had been igniting the Abuja crowd with fantastic runs on the right flank missed two free headers that would have increased the score line if well utilised.

Ikechukwu Uche scored a third goal soon after his introduction. A cross from the left flank was pursued by Ike Uche and Osaze both missed the ball but Osaze managed to chip it back to Ike who was still on the ground.

The Ethiopian defence failled to clear the ball and Uche beat the goalkeeper for the third goal.

The Real Zaragoza striker was to crown a fantastic outing with a marvelous volley from thirty yards that beat the Ethiopian goalkeeper for Nigeria’s number four goal.

Eagles list

1.Dele Aiyenugba

6. Chibuzor Okonkwo

3. Taye Taiwo

2. Joseph Yobo

5. Efe Ambrose

4. Joel Obi

10. John Mikel Obi

18. Obinna Nsofor

7. Ahmed Musa

8. Peter Utaka

9. Victor Anichebe

Subs

16. Sunday Rotimi

17. Dele Adeleye

11. Osaze Odemwingie

15. Ike Uche

12. Kalu Uche

13. Fengor Ogude

14. Adefemi Olubayo

Coach: Samson Siasia

The Eagles now trail Guinea by one point and remain second in group B.

Nations Cup Results

Burkina Faso 4 Namibia 0

South Africa 1 Egypt 0

Guinea Bissau 0 Uganda 1

Senegal 1 Cameroon 0

Kenya 2 Angola 1

Malawi 1 Togo 0

Mali 1 Zimbabwe 0

Cape Verde 4 Liberia 2

Chad 0 Botswana 1

Mozambique 0 Zambia 2

Congo Brazz 0 Ghana 3

DR Congo 3 Mauritius 0

Madagascar 1 Guinea 1

Niger 3 Sierra Leone 1

Sudan 0 Swaziland 0

AllAfrica – All the Time