Nigeria beats Mozambique 3 – 0, Qualifies for Quarter Finals
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The Super Eagles ran out 3-0 victors over Mozambique who were looking for their first ever win the African Nations Finals, having contested three previous tournaments.
I was a dull game in Lubango, not helped by the fact Nigeria needed only a draw to progress and having overcome a sticky spell around the half-hour mark. They didn’t look like failing once a 44th minute goal had been scored.
Mikel once again played in a forward midfield role, and in a sight unfamiliar to Chelsea fans, took the corners. He mostly concentrated on maintaining possession but it was his shot that led to the third goal five minutes from time.
After just three minutes, Mikel ran into the box and squared the ball but no team-mate was lurking in the right areas.
There was then a good chance for Nigeria’s most threatening player in the early stages, Chinedu Obasi, after a Mozambique mistake but the shot was saved.
Obasi had another great chance when Danny Shittu won a header but the striker got next to no power on his header with the goal gapping.
Mozambique began to play a little. Almiro Lobo hit a good shot which was saved and then in the space of five minutes, full-back Paito struck a free-kick at the keeper and had a sizzling shot saved.
A foul on Mikel led to a booking for Domingues for dissent and Everton striker Yakubu should have made more of a defensive mistake as Nigeria searched for the lead, but they were playing with fire. Mozambique striker Miro hit a long-range shot just wide.
On 44 minutes Nigeria at last struck the blow – a low shot inside the near post from Osaze Odemwingie finding the net.
Any doubt that Nigeria would make the last eight was eliminated just two minutes after the restart when Odemwingie scored his second; in contrast to the first a tap-in after Mozambique messed up their offside trap and Yakubu centred.
A good save from a Dario header prevented Mozambique finding a way back into it and the third goal came after a crisp Mikel effort from an angle was pushed out, the save denying him his second international goal. Obefami Martins instead finished.
Obinna Nsofor should have made it four before the end but although the score in the end was convincing, Nigeria will surely need a big improvement to go much further in the competition.
The group went according to pre-tournament expectations, Nigeria finishing in second place, three points behind Egypt who boast the tournament’s only 100 per cent record after a 2-0 win over Benin. The goals came from Ahmed Al Muhammadi and Emad Moteab.
Gabon, Cameroon, Zambia and Tunisia are all potential quarter-final opponents for Nigeria from a tight group D which will be decided tomorrow.
The Nigeria quarter-final is on Monday, with Ivory Coast playing Algeria on Sunday.
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