Taiwo Adelu
Swaziland’s all home based team made Nigerian Super Eagles to work very hard for their 2-0 victory in the second leg second round fixture of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Tuesday evening.
A free kick goal from Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon, who plays as forward for Belgian Pro League club KAA Gent in the 51st minute and another from Efetobore “Efe” Ambrose Emuobo, who plies his trade for Scottish side, Celtic gave Nigeria a 2-0 advantage.
In the second goal, Ambrose had converted Sylvester Igbonu’s free kick in the 88th minute at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium.
The victory ensures that Nigeria berth in the third and last round of African qualifiers for Russia 2018 World Cup, while the two goals earned Simon and Ambrose the sum of 20,000 dollars each as promised for each goal scored by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State
The match began with Nigeria pushing real hard forward on their attack and patiently passing the ball around, keeping the Swaziland inside half of the pitch. The Eagles were unable to find a way through the sea of players of Swaziland camped in front of them with Odion Ighalo of England’s Watford FC missing many begging scoring chances that could earned Nigeria goals in the first half.
The southern Africans defending with all their might, thank to their goalkeeper, Nhlanhla Gwebu, who saved many of the shot at goals from the Nigerian opponents.
What could have resulted in the first goal for the Eagles was wasted when Ogenyi Onazi found Ighalo in the 14th minute, but the Watford star this time he ended up scuffing his first-time shot from the edge of the six-yard box just wide of the near post.
A 40th minute infringement on Ighalo would have resulted in a penalty in favour of the Eagles but the referee waved off for play on after Ighalo was hacked down in Swaziland penalty area. The first half ended with no goal to the two teams.
The Nigerian side resumed the second half with a renewed vigour keeping the visitors to their goal area. Sylvester Igbonu failed to score into an empty net after receiving a 48th minute short pass from Ighalo in the six yard box of Swaziland. He was however fouled in the 50th minute which resulted in the free kick that was scored by Simon in the 51st minute of play.
The goal broke down a half-hearted Swaziland attack, allowing Nigeria to break away on a blisteringly quick counter attack.
Coach Sunday Oliseh brought in Seattle Sounders’ Obafemi Martins to replace Ahmed Musa in the 74th minute and thereafter Ezekiel Bassey won a freekick for Nigeria as Dlamini of Swaziland got a caution for that rough challenge.
Ambrose doubles Nigeria’s lead after converting Sylvester Igbonu’s free kick in the 88th minute to end the encounter in favour of the host team.
Meanwhile, former coach of the Eagles, Daniel Amokachi has warned that the Nigerian team must raise their game in the future as they can withstand pressure from a more experienced team. He said the Eagles did not play a spectacular game against the Swazi, but was happy that the team survive the scare and qualified for the next round. t