Obinna Nsofor scored twice as Nigeria beat Kenya 3-0 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Sunday in Abuja.
And so another day of live football action involving the Super Eagles dawns. Our live update team (which includes you) have been a lucky charm so far for the Super Eagles.
In our two previous games (against Ireland and France), the team not only got good results, but also played football from another planet.
Infact, some have compared last week's hiding of France to the football lesson handed by Barcelona to Manchester United in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, and who am I to disagree?
Lets believe our luck will hold out again today.
Its just closing on 1500 hours in Abuja and the temperature is in the mid 30s. But that has not stopped the fans coming in.
Fortunately, all the stands are covered, so the fans wont feel the effect of the heat so much. Not so for the players. However, the temperature should be way down by the 1700 hours kickoff time.
There is plenty of drumming going on from the Supporters club, and the rest of the fans are quite animated.
We have some 13 kids juggling the ball just behind the technical area, and a couple others doing gymnastic feats. They are getting some real love from the fans.
Okay, what is it I see that is off about these kids. . .? Ahhhh, now I get it, Four of them are wearing the replica shirts of Scottish club Celtic. Hmmmm. . .
Shock!!!
Word coming out of the Super Eagles camp is that Shuaibu Amodu has dropped all the big boys, except Kanu from the team. And when I say the team, I dont mean the starting line-up. I mean they are NOT EVEN LISTED ON THE BENCH. Only Kanu and Shittu are on the bench.
I hear the line up is: Enyeama, Yusuf Mohammed, Echiejile, Sodje, Adeleye, Etuhu, Olofinjana, Kalu Uche, Odemwingie, Ike Uche, Eneramo. Now, that should be interesting.
The sprinklers are going full blast now on the pitch, 14 of them in all. And the crowd just keeps pouring in. Looks like we may have a full house at the Abuja National Stadium for only the second time since the All Africa Games Final match in 2003 between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Cameroon won that, by the way.
And the match referees are out on their inspections, led by former Ghana captain and my good friend Anthony Baffoe.
Its pouring fans into the Abuja National Stadium. Loads of people have green shirts on, but such is the scale of the Abuja Stadium that it is lost in the multitude of other colours.
We have about an hour to go until kickoff. The team should be coming out for the warm-ups shortly.
And the Kenyan fans have arrived, waving mini-flags, and looking anything but confident.
And while I am at it, let me point out that a lot of the journalists here are shocked at Amodu's line-up, even those who have been the most stringent in calling for a change.
Real fears have been expressed as to effect it will have on the players who have been totally shut out.
The debate here is raging like a bush fire.
What do YOU think?
Let me state for the record now that I have genuine fears about this match. Its about 50 minutes to kickoff, and the stadium is already near-full. I hear from some of the fans who are just coming in, that there is a lot more people outside waiting to come in. Hopefully, there will be no incidents. This is a 60 000 capacity stadium, remember.
The Kenyans are the first to come out for the warm-up, and it is to huge boos ringing out from the crowd. My word, they are going to make this a very inhospitable day for the Harambee Stars.
I told you. . .
The cheers are deafening, as the Super Eagles run out for the warm up. They huddle together in a group to pray before starting the warm up. Kanu leads the subs out and gets the biggest cheer of the day.
The temperature has come down considerably. This should be fun.
The Lineup is official. Here goes:
Nigeria Line-Up
1. Vincent Enyeama; 21. Yusuf Mohammed, 3. Elderson Echiejile, 19. Sam Sodje, 17. Dele Adeleye; 20. Dickson Etuhu, 14. Seyi Olofinjana, 16. Kalu Uche, 11. Osaze Odemwingie; 9. Michael Eneramo, 15. Ikechukwu Uche
Subs
12. Austin Ejide, 4. Nwankwo Kanu, 5. Onyekachi Apam, 6. Danny Shittu, 10. Joseph Akpala, 13. Yusuf Ayila, 18. Obinna Nsofor
Seyi Olofinjana leads Nigeria out for the pre-match formalities.
Unfortunately, the Kenya line-up has not got to the media yet. Shame.
National anthems being played now.
1 min: Away we go
Kenya take the kickoff.
2 min: GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Kenya
Now that didnt take long did it? A combination of erratic play from Kenya and tenacity from Ike Uche sees the Getafe leave four defenders in his wake before slotting under the Kenya keeper. That must be Nigeria's fastest goal ever.
The stadium erupts!
5 min: Denis Oliech is brought down in the centre circle as he heads for the Nigeria area. Freekick is wasted.
8 min: Osaze gets past his marker on the right after good work from Etuhu, but his cross evades everybody and drifts out for a throw-in.
Good cross from the right channel from Kenya. Enyeama is out quickly to make solid contact with the ball and punch away.
Can I point out that a large chunk of the Nigeria cabinet is here to cheer the team.
12 min: Kalu Uche loses the ball to the right of the centre bowl, but his brother wins it back and shows exquiste skill to get away from his man, who hacks him down for a freekick. Kalu takes it wide to Echiejile, and wins another freekick. No less than six Nigerians are queuing up in the box to win a header. Unsurprisingly, they are all called for offside.
15 min: Ike appears to have been targeted for 'special attention' as he is hacked again almost in the same spot where he was cut down not too long ago. No booking. Yet. Kenya have a pop at Enyeama from distance. but like I said last week, he hardly ever concedes from distance. It didnt happen this time, either. Its Kalu's turn to try something from long range, he robs a Kenyan player and tries to lob the keeper. Too weak, Eneramo is unhappy.
Sodje cuts down Oliech and gives away a freekick in a dangerous area. Blocked and cleared to safety.
20 min: What a way to win the ball by Kalu. Olofinjana is robbed and Mwangi looks to be on his way, but Kalu goes in two-footed and just picks up the ball from between his legs. Eneramo on the loose from that attack is jammed down and needs treatment.
25 min: Its Olofinjana's turn to win an Uche-style tackle, and it was really good to be honest. But he's not a fans favourite and doesnt get the cheers that Uche got earlier. Mariga lets fly from distance and Enyeama has to come up with a good diving save. And it gets worse.
27 min: Olofinjana loses the ball in midfield and Oliech breaks dangerously with support from two others. It ends with Mariga again, I think letting fly from distance. The ball clips the crossbar, although I think Enyeama got a hand to it.
35 min: Oliech somehow gets past Adeleye with a bit of skill but snatches at his shot and the ball flashes wide of Enyeama's right hand post. The fans are not too happy now. There are half-hearted attempts to cheer the Kenyans and boo the Eagles but it doesnt come off.
37 min: And then the volume is pumped up again as Osaze and Ike combine to outpace the kenyan defence. Osaze's shot from the right channel is hit away by the goalkeeper.
And now, its all Kenya.
40 min: Osaze and Ike combine again, and the Russia-based forward again lets fly at goalkeeper Otieno. This time, its marginally wide. Otieno gives his defenders an earful!
42 min: Chants of 'Uche! Uche! uche!' resonate around the stadium. And that is for the younger Uche, I must say. And he soon gives them cause to chant even more, as he latches onto Olojinjana's ball to deliver a low cross that Otieno allows to get under his legs. Eneramo and Pascal Ochieng go for the rebound. Both players collide and require treatment. They are okay, though.
45 min: Kenya drift into an offside position and are called for it. And that will be all she wrote for this half.
HALF TIME: Nigeria 1-0 Kenya
What kind of first half would you say this one has been? I would say its been one where the Super Eagles started like the proverbial house on fire, but seemed to lose their way at times, as the Kenyans pack their half with bodies. Olofinjana and Etuhu need to take command of the midfield. The Eagles are not winning any second balls and need to do so to get that second goal because as long as it stays 1-0, Kenya are in with a shout.
Hmmm. . . some nice entertainmnet on the pitchside.
45 min: Second half is underway with Kanu replacing Etuhu. Nigeria with the KickOff.
Echiejile shows determination to get into the Kenya box, but between him and Kanu, they cant quite dig the ball out to get the shot.
50 min: Elderson is booked for a clumsy challenge on Mariga. Nigeria have two good calls for a penalty waved away. First Ike uche, and then Kanu, I think tumbles in the box. The refree awards a freekick to Kenya.
55 min: Another substitution for Nigeria. Obinna Nsofor replaces Mike Eneramo.
And this comment from Ayomide in Ife: "Tijani Babangida's goal against South Africa in ACN 2000 took 50 seconds, therefore Uche's goal today is not the fastest ever." Thanks Ayomide.
57 min: Sodje makes a timely clearance to get Nigeria from danger and passes the ball back to Echiejile. He is pushed vicioulsy as he makes his way forward, and the referee waves play on. Oliech is not even booked for the crime.
60 min: Nigeria finding it tough to get out of their half as Kenya close down the spaces with ease. The booing is actually on now. The Kenyans are gaining in confidence.
62 min: And how did they not score there. TWICE!! Denis Oliech gets behind the Nigeria defence on two occasions. But Enyeama comes up big the first time and Echiejile clears. The second time Enyeama agains puts Oliech off and its Echiejile again to clear off the line.
65 min: Kenya make their first substitution of the game. Allan Wetende comes in for Robert Mumba
70 min: Kenya are really playing with confidence now, and the Super Eagles have to beware. They have been rescued from their game of Russian roulette twice. They might not be third time lucky.
72 min: Odemwingie gets in behind the Kenyan defence, and tries to put a low cross for the arriving Ike Uche and Nsofor, but the keeper goes down to cut it out well.
73 min Nigeria 2-0 Kenya: Kanu goes down in the box, rather theatrically, I think. But the penalty is awarded and Obinna Nsofor scores to give Nigeria a second goal.
78 min Nigeria 3-0 Kenya: Before i can catch my breath with that goal, Nsofor makes it 3-0 Nigeria. He picks up the ball on the edge of the area, turns his man and lets fly with a simply ferocious effort. Cracking goal that.
83 min: Its showboating time for the Eagles, who have brought on Onyekachi Apam for Sam Sodje, but i was so caught up in the excitement of the goal, I didnt have time to type. And as I type that, Nsofor almost gets his hattrick, but the shot flies wide of the post.
88 min: Kenya haul off star striker Denis Oliech and bring on Peter Opiyo
90 min: Kalu tries to play his brother behind the defence with a lofted ball but its just too heavy and drifts off for a goalkick.
There will be three minutes of additional time.
Kenya get a freekick on the edge of the area, but the wall holds firm and three Kenyans are caught offside on the rebound.
FULL TIME Nigeria 3-0 Kenya: And that is the Full Time whistle. Nigeria come away with three points and three goals in what has largely been a good, sometimes, shaky performance. The players exchange shirts on the centre circle.
From the chat in the Press Tribune, Amodu is not totally out of it.
Source: www.kickoff.com
And so another day of live football action involving the Super Eagles dawns. Our live update team (which includes you) have been a lucky charm so far for the Super Eagles.
In our two previous games (against Ireland and France), the team not only got good results, but also played football from another planet.
Infact, some have compared last week's hiding of France to the football lesson handed by Barcelona to Manchester United in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, and who am I to disagree?
Lets believe our luck will hold out again today.
Its just closing on 1500 hours in Abuja and the temperature is in the mid 30s. But that has not stopped the fans coming in.
Fortunately, all the stands are covered, so the fans wont feel the effect of the heat so much. Not so for the players. However, the temperature should be way down by the 1700 hours kickoff time.
There is plenty of drumming going on from the Supporters club, and the rest of the fans are quite animated.
We have some 13 kids juggling the ball just behind the technical area, and a couple others doing gymnastic feats. They are getting some real love from the fans.
Okay, what is it I see that is off about these kids. . .? Ahhhh, now I get it, Four of them are wearing the replica shirts of Scottish club Celtic. Hmmmm. . .
Shock!!!
Word coming out of the Super Eagles camp is that Shuaibu Amodu has dropped all the big boys, except Kanu from the team. And when I say the team, I dont mean the starting line-up. I mean they are NOT EVEN LISTED ON THE BENCH. Only Kanu and Shittu are on the bench.
I hear the line up is: Enyeama, Yusuf Mohammed, Echiejile, Sodje, Adeleye, Etuhu, Olofinjana, Kalu Uche, Odemwingie, Ike Uche, Eneramo. Now, that should be interesting.
The sprinklers are going full blast now on the pitch, 14 of them in all. And the crowd just keeps pouring in. Looks like we may have a full house at the Abuja National Stadium for only the second time since the All Africa Games Final match in 2003 between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Cameroon won that, by the way.
And the match referees are out on their inspections, led by former Ghana captain and my good friend Anthony Baffoe.
Its pouring fans into the Abuja National Stadium. Loads of people have green shirts on, but such is the scale of the Abuja Stadium that it is lost in the multitude of other colours.
We have about an hour to go until kickoff. The team should be coming out for the warm-ups shortly.
And the Kenyan fans have arrived, waving mini-flags, and looking anything but confident.
And while I am at it, let me point out that a lot of the journalists here are shocked at Amodu's line-up, even those who have been the most stringent in calling for a change.
Real fears have been expressed as to effect it will have on the players who have been totally shut out.
The debate here is raging like a bush fire.
What do YOU think?
Let me state for the record now that I have genuine fears about this match. Its about 50 minutes to kickoff, and the stadium is already near-full. I hear from some of the fans who are just coming in, that there is a lot more people outside waiting to come in. Hopefully, there will be no incidents. This is a 60 000 capacity stadium, remember.
The Kenyans are the first to come out for the warm-up, and it is to huge boos ringing out from the crowd. My word, they are going to make this a very inhospitable day for the Harambee Stars.
I told you. . .
The cheers are deafening, as the Super Eagles run out for the warm up. They huddle together in a group to pray before starting the warm up. Kanu leads the subs out and gets the biggest cheer of the day.
The temperature has come down considerably. This should be fun.
The Lineup is official. Here goes:
Nigeria Line-Up
1. Vincent Enyeama; 21. Yusuf Mohammed, 3. Elderson Echiejile, 19. Sam Sodje, 17. Dele Adeleye; 20. Dickson Etuhu, 14. Seyi Olofinjana, 16. Kalu Uche, 11. Osaze Odemwingie; 9. Michael Eneramo, 15. Ikechukwu Uche
Subs
12. Austin Ejide, 4. Nwankwo Kanu, 5. Onyekachi Apam, 6. Danny Shittu, 10. Joseph Akpala, 13. Yusuf Ayila, 18. Obinna Nsofor
Seyi Olofinjana leads Nigeria out for the pre-match formalities.
Unfortunately, the Kenya line-up has not got to the media yet. Shame.
National anthems being played now.
1 min: Away we go
Kenya take the kickoff.
2 min: GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Kenya
Now that didnt take long did it? A combination of erratic play from Kenya and tenacity from Ike Uche sees the Getafe leave four defenders in his wake before slotting under the Kenya keeper. That must be Nigeria's fastest goal ever.
The stadium erupts!
5 min: Denis Oliech is brought down in the centre circle as he heads for the Nigeria area. Freekick is wasted.
8 min: Osaze gets past his marker on the right after good work from Etuhu, but his cross evades everybody and drifts out for a throw-in.
Good cross from the right channel from Kenya. Enyeama is out quickly to make solid contact with the ball and punch away.
Can I point out that a large chunk of the Nigeria cabinet is here to cheer the team.
12 min: Kalu Uche loses the ball to the right of the centre bowl, but his brother wins it back and shows exquiste skill to get away from his man, who hacks him down for a freekick. Kalu takes it wide to Echiejile, and wins another freekick. No less than six Nigerians are queuing up in the box to win a header. Unsurprisingly, they are all called for offside.
15 min: Ike appears to have been targeted for 'special attention' as he is hacked again almost in the same spot where he was cut down not too long ago. No booking. Yet. Kenya have a pop at Enyeama from distance. but like I said last week, he hardly ever concedes from distance. It didnt happen this time, either. Its Kalu's turn to try something from long range, he robs a Kenyan player and tries to lob the keeper. Too weak, Eneramo is unhappy.
Sodje cuts down Oliech and gives away a freekick in a dangerous area. Blocked and cleared to safety.
20 min: What a way to win the ball by Kalu. Olofinjana is robbed and Mwangi looks to be on his way, but Kalu goes in two-footed and just picks up the ball from between his legs. Eneramo on the loose from that attack is jammed down and needs treatment.
25 min: Its Olofinjana's turn to win an Uche-style tackle, and it was really good to be honest. But he's not a fans favourite and doesnt get the cheers that Uche got earlier. Mariga lets fly from distance and Enyeama has to come up with a good diving save. And it gets worse.
27 min: Olofinjana loses the ball in midfield and Oliech breaks dangerously with support from two others. It ends with Mariga again, I think letting fly from distance. The ball clips the crossbar, although I think Enyeama got a hand to it.
35 min: Oliech somehow gets past Adeleye with a bit of skill but snatches at his shot and the ball flashes wide of Enyeama's right hand post. The fans are not too happy now. There are half-hearted attempts to cheer the Kenyans and boo the Eagles but it doesnt come off.
37 min: And then the volume is pumped up again as Osaze and Ike combine to outpace the kenyan defence. Osaze's shot from the right channel is hit away by the goalkeeper.
And now, its all Kenya.
40 min: Osaze and Ike combine again, and the Russia-based forward again lets fly at goalkeeper Otieno. This time, its marginally wide. Otieno gives his defenders an earful!
42 min: Chants of 'Uche! Uche! uche!' resonate around the stadium. And that is for the younger Uche, I must say. And he soon gives them cause to chant even more, as he latches onto Olojinjana's ball to deliver a low cross that Otieno allows to get under his legs. Eneramo and Pascal Ochieng go for the rebound. Both players collide and require treatment. They are okay, though.
45 min: Kenya drift into an offside position and are called for it. And that will be all she wrote for this half.
HALF TIME: Nigeria 1-0 Kenya
What kind of first half would you say this one has been? I would say its been one where the Super Eagles started like the proverbial house on fire, but seemed to lose their way at times, as the Kenyans pack their half with bodies. Olofinjana and Etuhu need to take command of the midfield. The Eagles are not winning any second balls and need to do so to get that second goal because as long as it stays 1-0, Kenya are in with a shout.
Hmmm. . . some nice entertainmnet on the pitchside.
45 min: Second half is underway with Kanu replacing Etuhu. Nigeria with the KickOff.
Echiejile shows determination to get into the Kenya box, but between him and Kanu, they cant quite dig the ball out to get the shot.
50 min: Elderson is booked for a clumsy challenge on Mariga. Nigeria have two good calls for a penalty waved away. First Ike uche, and then Kanu, I think tumbles in the box. The refree awards a freekick to Kenya.
55 min: Another substitution for Nigeria. Obinna Nsofor replaces Mike Eneramo.
And this comment from Ayomide in Ife: "Tijani Babangida's goal against South Africa in ACN 2000 took 50 seconds, therefore Uche's goal today is not the fastest ever." Thanks Ayomide.
57 min: Sodje makes a timely clearance to get Nigeria from danger and passes the ball back to Echiejile. He is pushed vicioulsy as he makes his way forward, and the referee waves play on. Oliech is not even booked for the crime.
60 min: Nigeria finding it tough to get out of their half as Kenya close down the spaces with ease. The booing is actually on now. The Kenyans are gaining in confidence.
62 min: And how did they not score there. TWICE!! Denis Oliech gets behind the Nigeria defence on two occasions. But Enyeama comes up big the first time and Echiejile clears. The second time Enyeama agains puts Oliech off and its Echiejile again to clear off the line.
65 min: Kenya make their first substitution of the game. Allan Wetende comes in for Robert Mumba
70 min: Kenya are really playing with confidence now, and the Super Eagles have to beware. They have been rescued from their game of Russian roulette twice. They might not be third time lucky.
72 min: Odemwingie gets in behind the Kenyan defence, and tries to put a low cross for the arriving Ike Uche and Nsofor, but the keeper goes down to cut it out well.
73 min Nigeria 2-0 Kenya: Kanu goes down in the box, rather theatrically, I think. But the penalty is awarded and Obinna Nsofor scores to give Nigeria a second goal.
78 min Nigeria 3-0 Kenya: Before i can catch my breath with that goal, Nsofor makes it 3-0 Nigeria. He picks up the ball on the edge of the area, turns his man and lets fly with a simply ferocious effort. Cracking goal that.
83 min: Its showboating time for the Eagles, who have brought on Onyekachi Apam for Sam Sodje, but i was so caught up in the excitement of the goal, I didnt have time to type. And as I type that, Nsofor almost gets his hattrick, but the shot flies wide of the post.
88 min: Kenya haul off star striker Denis Oliech and bring on Peter Opiyo
90 min: Kalu tries to play his brother behind the defence with a lofted ball but its just too heavy and drifts off for a goalkick.
There will be three minutes of additional time.
Kenya get a freekick on the edge of the area, but the wall holds firm and three Kenyans are caught offside on the rebound.
FULL TIME Nigeria 3-0 Kenya: And that is the Full Time whistle. Nigeria come away with three points and three goals in what has largely been a good, sometimes, shaky performance. The players exchange shirts on the centre circle.
From the chat in the Press Tribune, Amodu is not totally out of it.
Source: www.kickoff.com
Comments
Post a Comment