Super Eagles Pip Namibia 1-0 In Calabar …Keshi Dedicates Victory To Crash Victims

The Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State began the race for the 2014 World Cup, Brazil ticket on a victorious note, courtesy of a lone goal victory over the Brave Warriors of Namibia.

The victory ensure that Nigeria tops her group of the qualifiers with three points, as other group opponents, Malawi and Kenya played out a draw in Nairobi in the day one of the qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has dedicated yesterday’s victory to the families of those that lost their lives in the Dana Air plane crash that claimed about 153 lives in Lagos, yesterday.

In the match watched by a capacity crowd in Calabar, and followed by millions of Nigerians on television, the Super Eagles left it late to score and secured their first victory in the  new era under Keshi.

Indeed, the Eagles, despite dominating proceedings and creating countless chances huffed and puffed in attempt to put the Namibians to the sword.

They were guilty of profligacy in front of goal, with striker Ikechukwu Uche the biggest culprit.

Nigeria had ample chances to have put the game to bed in the first half, but resolute defending and poor marksmanship combined to deny them the goals that would have eased the nerves of their fans.

Rather, it was the visitors who had boasted of giving the Eagles a good run for their money that ended the first half being the happier of the two teams and resumed the second more determined to keep the scoreline barren.

As the second half wore on, the Namibians became more adventurous, trying to catch  Nigeria on the counter but lacked the muscle to realise their aim .

It was barely five minutes to the end of regulation time, with Keshi using up his substitutes that Ikechukwu Uche finally broke the deadlock.

He latched onto a pass in the box, dummied a defender with the right foot before unleashing a low drive with the left to finally breach the Brave Warriors net.

Tonye Orabere