TRUST
| Enyeama fires Eagles to s’final |
By Femi Atoyebi, Angola, Published: Tuesday, 26 Jan 2010 |
Despite a poor performance, 10-man Super Eagles on Monday qualified for the semifinal of the Angola 2010 Africa Cup Nations after they edged out Zambia‘s Chipolopolo 5-4 on penalties.
Keeper Vincent Enyeama was the hero of the Nigerian side in the shoot-out saving Nyirenda‘s fourth penalty before the Israel-based keeper converted the Eagles last kick to ensure a place in the last four of the competition.
The Zambians had themselves to blame after wasting several chances during the 120 minutes.
Nigeria went into the game as favourites but Zambian players should have taken their chances when the Eagles tired out.
However, the Eagles held on despite the expulsion of central defender Onyekachi Apam, who got the marching orders for a second bookable offence.
A minute was observed for the victims of Haiti‘s earthquake before the match which started on a slow note.
However, there was pandemonium in the Nigerian defence when keeper Enyeama miscalculated a Zambian corner in the 10th minute. The first real chance of the game fell to Dickson Etuhu in the 15th minute but his drive from 25 yards posed no problem for keeper Mweene.
Felix Katongo got a yellow for a high-footed challenge on Sani Kaita in the 19th minute while Hichani Himonde was also cautioned for a reckless challenge on Osaze Odemwingie in the 21st minute.
Mweene made another tremendous save in the 31st minute to deny Mikel Obi who fired in a low shot from the edge of the box.
Chamanga had the best chance of the half but his touch went wide in front of an empty net in the 44th minute.
Zambia dominated the second half and should have scored but they failed to convert several chances that came their way.
Himonde‘s header from a corner was cleared across the goal line by right-back Yusuf Mohammed with Enyeama beaten in the 66th minute. Mohammed played brilliantly again to clear another header at the far post as the ball heads towards goal.
The Chipolopolo should have got the winner in the 89th minute from a corner kick again but Mayuka headed wide.
Substitute Noah Chivuta, captain Chris Katongo, Emmanuel Mayuka scored the first three penalties for the Chipolopolo but Enyeama dived to the right to save Nyirenda‘s kick before keeper Mweene converted the last.
Midfielder Mikel Obi, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie and Enyeama all converted their kicks to book a semifinal place.
