Tournament News
Nsofor rescues Nigeria
2009-10-11 21:38
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Abuja - Obinna Nsofor brought Nigeria's World Cup hopes back from the dead with a late late winner deep into stoppage time on Sunday in Abuja.
Nsofor headed namesake Obinna Nwaneri's desperate lunging cross into an unguarded post in the 94th minute of the 5 added by the referee.
Booed by a scanty turn-out at the start, and intermittently throughout, the Super Eagles struggled to break down the well-drilled Mambas, and could well have gone behind early if Pelembe Elias hadn't hit the crossbar after turning a retreating Elderson Echiejile.
Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu made seven changes to the team that started against Tunisia, and the side looked shorn of rhythm, although they still carved chances out and really should have been two goals up before halftime.
The longer the game stayed scoreless, the more confident the Mambas grew and the more raggedy the Nigerians became.
The visitors even had a cheeky spell where they put nearly 25 passes together without a single Eagle touching the ball.
As the game wore on, the Eagles began to turn the screws, but were rebuffed by stoic, disciplined defending.
Chance upon chance upon chance were created but goalkeeper Rafael Joao was having a blinding game along with his defenders, and the Eagles could find no way through, and looked in danger of elimination until Nsofor's last-gasp winner.
Score:
Nigeria 1 - 0 Mozambique
