Nigeria’s Super Eagles were able to settle for bronze medal of the 2014 African Nations Championship, CHAN, after they defeated a 10-man Warriors of Zimbabwe 1-0 in the third place match at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa on Saturday evening.
A 85th minute goal from Christian Chinonso Obiozor ensured that the Stephen Keshi led team did not end the CHAN with nothing after they were stopped on the road to the final by arch rivals, Ghana’s Black Stars in the semi final.
Though Nigeria deserved the victory and the bronze medal, the match was no great spectacle, as it was ruined by the early red card for Zimbabwe.
The pulsating tie kicked off with Zimbabwe putting pressure on Nigeria. One of the players of the Eagles was cautioned by the referee with yellow card for simulation.
In the 7th minute, Nigerian striker Aliyu Ibrahim showed quick feet to get into the area of the Zimbabweans. As he tried to beat two opponents, Milton Ncube and Patson Jaure, he fell to the ground looking for a penalty. The referee blew his whistle but showed Ibrahim a yellow card for simulation and awarded Zimbabwe the free kick.
Zimbabwe attacked with menace down the left. A dangerous cross was whipped but the Nigerian defence dealt with the danger admirably.
In the 10th minute, Zimbabwe had their tails up now. This time they attacked through the reverse flank and Goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim has to come out with a flying save to snuff out the danger.
In the 12th minute, Obiozor showed brilliance, pace and intelligence down the left. He delivered a telling cross into the Warriors’ box, but keeper George Chigoya dealt with it and gave away a corner.
Zimbabwe were reduced to ten men in the 16th minute when Masimba Mambare, who crashed into Nigeria’s keeper Agbim was dismissed after the referee ruled that his actions amounted to dangerous play. Agbim was down after the painful-looking collision with Mamgbare.
Zimbabwe’s coach Gorowa Ian was not happy with the decision of the referee to send Mambare off. The referee however took the time to explain his decision to the disgruntled gaffer.
For the second successive game, Nigeria had the seeming advantage of playing with one man more than the opposition.
Another goal attempt came the way of the Eagles in the 42nd minute when Pyagbara showed great anticipating, strength and composure to win the ball on the right. He crossed it to the right but the unmarked Aliyu managed to drag his effort wide.
No goal was recorded in the first half which has a five minute added time.
The second half resumed with the Zimbabweans taking the ball to the Nigerians. It was the combination of goalkeeper Agbim and defender Azubuike Egwuekwe that contained the threat. Coach Stephen Keshi changed Pyagbara for Rabiu Ali in the 67th minute an offside flag stopped a Nigerian attack from a very promising position in the 71st minute.
As the match got hotter, Nigeria looked extremely wasteful and disappointing in possession.
In the 83rd minute, another round of Nigeria pressure ended with Uzoenyi trying to bend the ball into the far post, but Zimbabwe goalkeeper stopped it.
Uzoenyi tried to take matters into his hands. He created space on the right and fired in a shot which the keeper saved.
Nigeria, however, got the winner when Chinonso Obiozor connected with Uzoenyi’s delivery and made a good shot at goal in the 85th to give the Eagles the bronze medal in their first appearance at the CHAN
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