Emenike wins it for Eagles

The Super Eagles went to Addis Ababa and conquered
both the altitude and the Walya Antelopes in the first leg of
their World Cup qualifier on Sunday

Nigeria conquered the high altitude of Ethiopia with a 2-1
victory as they signified a firm interest in making a fifth
appearance in the World Cup in Brazil.

Emmanuel Emenike was the hero for the Super Eagles as
he scored the equalizer and the winner in the 89th minute.
Ethiopia had gone ahead in the 56th minute when Vincent
Enyeama mis-judged a cross from Assefa and the referee,
Aliou Neant from Cameroon, ruled that the ball had
crossed the line.

The first half started with the Ethiopians on the front foot
with their fans howling and making a terrific atmosphere.
And it took just two minutes for the Eagles to concede a
corner kick that was quickly followed by another.

Emmanuel Emenike then drove the Eagles forward and
won a corner kick in the fourth minute. The first shot in
anger came in the eighth minute but No. 20 shot wide.
After persistent fouling on Victor Moses, Tesfaye was
shown the first yellow card of the match in the 12th
minute.

Nnamdi Oduamadi then missed the first gilt-edged chance
when he mis-kicked Emenike’s cross. Ethiopia then went
forward and Saladin Said thought he had scored but
Godfrey Oboabona made a fantastic clearance to keep the
match at 0-0.

Ahmed Musa had a half volley smothered by Butako and
then coach Ternat Bishaw called for a water break, a call
that was really confusing to the visitors.

Adane Girma should have scored for the Antelopes in the
38th minute when a loose ball from Moses fell to him but
after dribbling three Nigeria defenders, he shot wildly over.
Girma had another chance in the second minute of added
time but Enyeama made a great save.

The second half was not as frantic as it was in the first half
and the first chance came for the Antelopes in the 55th
minute but Enyeama read the bounce very well and cleared
the danger.

The Ethiopians then scored a goal that could best be
described as a fluke because Enyeama mis-judged a cross
by Assefa and the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the
line before the Nigerian goalkeeper claimed it.

Stephen Keshi made changes bringing in Nosa Igiebor for
Nnamdi Oduamadi in the 63rd minute as the goal woke up
the Nigerians who then went in search of the equalizer.

The Super Eagles should have equalised in the 62nd
minute when Moses went one-on-one with the goalkeeper
but goalkeeper Tassew did well to save at the feet of the
Liverpool man. Minutes later, Keshi withdrew Moses, who
had an average game and brought on Brown Ideye.

Their equalising goal came in the 67th minute
when Emenike shot a thunderbolt from outside the box.
Afterwards, the Nigerians went on the offensive.
Musa hit the post in the 77th minute off a terrific pass by
Mikel. Nigeria went ahead for the first time in the
encounter in the 88th minute when Emenike was dragged
down in the box for a clear penalty.

The Fenerbahce player dusted himself off and cooly
dispatched the penalty to give the Super Eagles the victory
and one leg in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The second leg will be held in Calabar on November 16 at
the U.J Esuene Stadium but the Nigerians will believe that
they hold all the aces.