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| Obinna Nsofor |
Goals in each half from Victor Moses and substitute Obinna Nsofor ensured the Super Eagles completed a double over the Walias and book their place for next year’s tournament 4-1 on aggregate.
The African champions will be making their fifth appearance at the Mundial after 1994 (USA), 1998 (France), 2002 (Japan and Korea) and 2010 (South Africa).
Ethiopia, eyeing the first World Cup berth gave their hosts some cause to worry but rarely threatened Nigeria goalie Vincent Enyeama, who remained on a virtual holiday throughout.
The visitors took control of possession from the onset with the upperhand in midfield whilst the host waited for their turn.
After barely six minutes, Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike fired a shot a goal that Ethiopia goalie Sisay Bancha collected with ease.
Seven minutes on, danger-man Saladin Said weaved his way through the Nigerian defence but his final touch missed target by inches. Said, who partnered back from injury Adane Girma upfront, kept the hosts defence on their toes with his usual runs into the vital area.
The Super Eagles relied on the pace of winger Ahmed Musa, who took runs at the Ethiopian defence on both flanks. During one of such moves on 18 minutes, Ethiopian defender Aynalem Hailu handled a shot from Musa, compelling referee Papa Bakary Gassama to signal for a penalty.
The penalty was nicely converted by Moses, who sent Walia goalie Bancha the wrong way for the opener on 20 minutes.
The visitors never looked back maintaining their dominance in possession but it was the hosts who looked dangerous anytime on the move.
Three minutes before half time, Bancha was again to his side’s rescue by parrying out a long range effort by Ogenyi Onazi, whilst the rebound from Emenike went wide.
Ethiopia resumed strongly with the same momentum, controlling the midfield but lacked the cutting edge upfront.
On the hour mark, Bancha saved with his feet from a one-on-one with Emenike, who beat the offside trap to collect a John Mikel Obi pass.
Both sides effected some changes but it was Nsofor’s coming on for Moses on 78 minutes that made the difference. Three minutes later, the Russia-based forward sealed victory with a shot from a free-kick that beat Bancha and seal Nigeria’s passage to Brazil.
Source : cafonline.co.za
Tags : bafana,Brazilr, world cup, Obinna Nsofor,Nigeria, Ethiopia,Victor Moses
Links : salovesfootball.mobi
Twitter: @salovesfootball
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