Super(CHAN)Eagles came back from three goals down in first half to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling CAF African Nations Championship(CHAN) quarterfinal at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.
At halftime after suffering at the hands of the Atlas lions with 3 nil,the Super Eagles looked confused and disorganized. However, they fought back to take the game to extra time at 3-3 before substitute Aliyu Ibrahim took advantage of a goalkeeping error to score the winner on 111 minutes. It should be noted that a large number of the moroccan team plays for the Raja cassablanca that played against Bayern Munich in the world club final in which they were defeated 2-0,also play for their national team,not withstading this,Eagles defeated an experienced team to reach the semis to the surprise of every one.
Moutouali gave Atlas lions the lead in the 33rd minute,before Lajour made it double 4 minutes later.Moutouali then scored his second in the 40th minute. But early in the second half,when all have lost hope,the Super Eagles pulled a goal back through Ugonna Uzochukwu, who controlled a pass on his chest before sending a top-poked volley into the bottom corner of Nadir Lamyarghri’s net. The Super Eagles later reduced the deficit to 3-2 through Rabiu Ali, who latched onto a knock-down and fired home a shot from just inside the penalty area.
At this point,the Eagles started growing in confidence and kept pushing forward to look for the equaliser,but they had to wait until the 90th minute to finally equalise,when 3 consecutive man of the match,Ejike Uzoenyi cracked a shot into the goal via the underside of the crossbar to send the match into extra time,after beating his man. When it seems that the game would head for a penalty shoot-out, in second half extra time, substitute Ibrahim gave Nigeria the winner after Morocco goalkeeper and captain, Nadir Lamyaghri spilled an easy ball off Uzoenyi's cross. This is not the first time this is happening,coming from goals behind to carry the day, as we can easily remember saudi 1989 and atlanta 96 where we came goals down to defeat both brazil and argentina. That's the nigerian spirit!!!
Also,Group A top finishers,Eagles of Mali have been eliminated from the CHAN competition after they lost 2-1 to Zimbabwe in Cape town this evening. Nigeria will now wait for the outcome between Ghana and Dr Congo,quarterfinal fixture,the result determines who Super(CHAN)Eagles face in the Semifinal. Super Eagles performance tonight is what I term "doggedness".
Congratulations to the Super Eagles!!!
At halftime after suffering at the hands of the Atlas lions with 3 nil,the Super Eagles looked confused and disorganized. However, they fought back to take the game to extra time at 3-3 before substitute Aliyu Ibrahim took advantage of a goalkeeping error to score the winner on 111 minutes. It should be noted that a large number of the moroccan team plays for the Raja cassablanca that played against Bayern Munich in the world club final in which they were defeated 2-0,also play for their national team,not withstading this,Eagles defeated an experienced team to reach the semis to the surprise of every one.
Moutouali gave Atlas lions the lead in the 33rd minute,before Lajour made it double 4 minutes later.Moutouali then scored his second in the 40th minute. But early in the second half,when all have lost hope,the Super Eagles pulled a goal back through Ugonna Uzochukwu, who controlled a pass on his chest before sending a top-poked volley into the bottom corner of Nadir Lamyarghri’s net. The Super Eagles later reduced the deficit to 3-2 through Rabiu Ali, who latched onto a knock-down and fired home a shot from just inside the penalty area.
At this point,the Eagles started growing in confidence and kept pushing forward to look for the equaliser,but they had to wait until the 90th minute to finally equalise,when 3 consecutive man of the match,Ejike Uzoenyi cracked a shot into the goal via the underside of the crossbar to send the match into extra time,after beating his man. When it seems that the game would head for a penalty shoot-out, in second half extra time, substitute Ibrahim gave Nigeria the winner after Morocco goalkeeper and captain, Nadir Lamyaghri spilled an easy ball off Uzoenyi's cross. This is not the first time this is happening,coming from goals behind to carry the day, as we can easily remember saudi 1989 and atlanta 96 where we came goals down to defeat both brazil and argentina. That's the nigerian spirit!!!
Also,Group A top finishers,Eagles of Mali have been eliminated from the CHAN competition after they lost 2-1 to Zimbabwe in Cape town this evening. Nigeria will now wait for the outcome between Ghana and Dr Congo,quarterfinal fixture,the result determines who Super(CHAN)Eagles face in the Semifinal. Super Eagles performance tonight is what I term "doggedness".
Congratulations to the Super Eagles!!!
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