The
Super Eagles recorded a resounding 4-1 victory over the Stallions of
Burkina Faso in a friendly match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on
Tuesday.
Brown Ideye got Nigeria on their way to
the win in the 17th minute after Obinna Nsofor’s through ball caused
panic in the visitors defence.
The Eagles continued to pile pressure on
the visitors as John Ogu tested the Stallions goalkeeper in the 13th
minute. Shola Ameobi, though playing as the lone man upfront, did well
holding the ball up to bring Nsofor and Ideye into the game.
In the 20th minute, an Elderson
Echiejile cross was nearly converted by Ameobi but he was beaten to the
ball by the Burkinabe goalkeeper. It was the turn of Nsofor as he
dummied three defenders but was clattered from behind as he was about to
pull the trigger. Burkina Faso also had a decent chance at goal but
Austin Ejide was quick off the line to collect the cross.
Nigeria edged ahead when Ogenyi Onazi
dispossessed a Burkina Faso player in his half and fed Nsofor, who
released Ideye to chip past the keeper in the 45th minute for the second
goal.
Burkina Faso nearly pulled one back in added time of the first-half, but finishing let them down.
Ameobi, who was given a through ball by Nsofor, scored his first international goal for Nigeria in the 53rd minute.
Sunday Mba’s introduction in the
second-half for Ogu was the catalyst the Eagles needed to add more
goals. His movement caused problems for the opponents.
Emmanuel Emenike replaced Nsofor, and the Turkey-based striker scored Nigeria’s fourth in the 62nd minute.
Stephen Keshi rang some changes that saw Uche Nwofor come on for Ameobi and Efe Ambrose replaced by Solomon Kwambe.
Burkina Faso attacked in sprouts, but
they did catch the Eagles napping as some comical defending allowed the
visitors to get through and get their consolatory goal in the 78th
minute.
The game fizzled out as a contest as
Nigeria knocked the ball round while Burkina Faso resulted to delay
tactics to see out the game.
Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, on February 10.
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