The Super Eagles of Nigeria became the first country in Africa to have booked an easy passage to the Brazil 2014 World Cup after beating the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 4-1 aggregate in the final round qualifiers.
The Eagles in Calabar yesterday beat the Antelopes 2-0 to the delight of a capacity filled U.J. Esuene Stadium fans.
Goals came courtesy of Victor Moses in the 20th minute and substitute Victor Obinna Nsofor in the 82nd minute, in the match officiated by B. Gassama to put Nigeria three goals clear of Ethiopia on aggregate.
It would be recalled that in the first leg, Behailu Assefa had given Ethiopia the lead in that game with his first international goal, but Fenerbahce forward Emenike bagged a brace inside the last 25 minutes including a last-minute penalty - to put Nigeria firmly in control.
Before the game, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi had predicted a tough match: “The game in Calabar will be tougher for us than the one in Addis Ababa. We have to be careful and get ready for another big business in Calabar,” he told Fifa.com.
“Ethiopia are very good and they will be coming here with more tricks. So, we shouldn’t see the first victory as the end of the road.”
Nigeria played without injured pair Nosa Igiebor and Uche Nwofor. Ethiopia, meanwhile, welcomed back star striker Getaneh Kebede, who has scored four goals in qualifying so far but failed to score in yesterday’s match.
By Onjewu Dickson
The Eagles in Calabar yesterday beat the Antelopes 2-0 to the delight of a capacity filled U.J. Esuene Stadium fans.
Goals came courtesy of Victor Moses in the 20th minute and substitute Victor Obinna Nsofor in the 82nd minute, in the match officiated by B. Gassama to put Nigeria three goals clear of Ethiopia on aggregate.
It would be recalled that in the first leg, Behailu Assefa had given Ethiopia the lead in that game with his first international goal, but Fenerbahce forward Emenike bagged a brace inside the last 25 minutes including a last-minute penalty - to put Nigeria firmly in control.
Before the game, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi had predicted a tough match: “The game in Calabar will be tougher for us than the one in Addis Ababa. We have to be careful and get ready for another big business in Calabar,” he told Fifa.com.
“Ethiopia are very good and they will be coming here with more tricks. So, we shouldn’t see the first victory as the end of the road.”
Nigeria played without injured pair Nosa Igiebor and Uche Nwofor. Ethiopia, meanwhile, welcomed back star striker Getaneh Kebede, who has scored four goals in qualifying so far but failed to score in yesterday’s match.
By Onjewu Dickson