Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier:-SUPER Eagles of Nigeria started their qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup on a bright note as they pipped the Brave Warriors 1-0 at the UJ Esuene stadium, Calabar yesterday.
Granada of Spain striker, Ikechukwu Uche’s goal at the 83rd minute made the difference for the Super Eagles and a respite from the stubborn Namibians.
The first 45th minutes of the encounter ended barren with the Nigerians not being able to convert several of their chances at goal.
Ik Uche wasted about four begging chances, John Utaka, at least, three while the winger wizard, diminutive Enugu Rangers’ forward, Ejike Uzoenyi blew a lot of chance.
But credit must go to the Namibians backline and the goalkeeper for keeping the rampaging Nigerian attackers at distance and the forwards who took occasional counter attack at the Nigerian vital area.
The second half started with Nigerians begging for goals but at every contact at scoring it will be the Namibians that came out smiling.
A 59th minute goal mouth frenzy thought to have hit the Namibian back net bounced back into the field of play with the Southern Africans clearing frantically.
The Nigerian manager, Stephen Keshi pulled out Utaka for Ahmed Musa to strengthen the attack and his coming added more bite but the goal refused to come.
Midfielder, Obiorah Nwankwo who cupped an injury gave way for Enyimba’s Henry Uche but the catalogue of misses continued on the Nigerian side.
Nigeria’s last substitution saw off Victor Moses for Kalu Uche and it turned out to be the missing link as enterprising Ikechukwu Uche struck at the 83rd minute to break the deadlock.
The goal saw the Namibians who had absorbed the attack from the Nigerians practically throwing more men in the attack seeking the equaliser which never came rather it was Enyimba’s man Kalu Uche that almost made it two in the added time but the shot went wide.
Namibians were not disgraced and rather gave strong indication that it would be tougher when we visit Namibia for the return leg.
Nigeria is top of their group on three points after group’s opponents Kenya and Malawi shared points in their game in Nairobi on Saturday.
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