CHAN: Nigeria Duelled Morocco with Victorious 4-3 Meeting Ghana in S-Final

Nigerian Super Eagles in a deserved victory effort staged one of its most enthusiastic games at Cape Town stadium on Saturday 25th Jan in big back-on-feet defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco from 3 goals to equalize and won 4-3 in the final knock-out to semifinal of the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship.

 

The coach Stephen Keshi tutored team were a sorry sight as they ran from pillar to post chasing the sleek Moroccans in their stride. From the start, it was evident that the Moroccans meant serious business as they orchestrated several attacks in the Nigerian half. But for the heroics of defence stalwart Azubuike Egwuekwe, the Atlas Lions would have taken the lead earlier than it came.

 

After a cagy start, the Moroccans stamped their authority in the 27th minute when goalkeeper and captain, Chigozie Agbim stretched to parry a goal bound shot near the post. But it was not for long when Mohsine Moutaoali spotting jersey number 10 struck with a curling volley that beat flat footed Agbim in the 32nd minute.

 

Gbolahan Salami lost a golden chance to have put Nigeria at par but his effort went off mark. At the Nigerian end, the Moroccans struck again in the 36th minute through Iajour Mouhssine who converted a wonderful free kick from just outside the 18 yard box.

 

The Atlas Lions roared again in the 39th minute with a clinical finish from their number 10 man. The initial 3 goals by the Atlas Lions thrashed and humiliated the Super Eagles at first half before back-to-sender reaction invented into their system in the second half and Nigeria dominated Atlas Lions and lost control of the field to the Eagles. The Eagles were more businesslike in the second half as two quick goals from Ogonna Uzochukwu and Rabiu Ali in the 49th and 55th minutes restored Nigeria’s hope in this encounter.

 

The Eagles proved that football is played in two halves. Just as the clock was winding down, a stoppage time harmless volley by Uzoenyi Ejike drew level for the Nigerians who had fought all through the second half to restore their pride.

 

Now that the Black Stars of Ghana has edged DR Congo 1-0 in a tightly contested quarter final match of the 3rd Orange African Nations Championship played on Sunday 26th January night at Free State Stadium in Mangaung with a successful penalty kick from Kwabena Adusei which was all the Black Stars needed to knock out a stoic DR Congo, the win sets up a mouth-watering West Africa semi-final against Nigeria to be played on Wednesday 29th January at this same venue.