Eagles pip Sudan to reach CHAN Final
Pillars win 2-0 to inflict second defeat on Plateau United
The Super Eagles overcame a stubborn Sudan 1-0 in Marrakech yesterday to reach the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time.
They will next meet host nation Morocco (who defeated Libya 3-1 in the first semi final) in the Championship match inside Casablanca’s Stade Mohamed V on Sunday evening.
Before kick-off, Coach Salisu Yusuf had to rue his inability to call upon first-team players Emeka Atuloma, Sunday Faleye and Emeka Ogbuh - all due to injury. And 10 minutes into the game inside the Grand Stade Marrakech, goalkeeper and skipper (and big inspiration) Ikechukwu Ezenwa was stretchered out injured.
Kalu Orji Okogbue, who himself had to pass a late fitness test to be eligible for the encounter, took over the captain’s band and controlled Nigeria’s resistance from behind, while also launching the salvo that Anthony Okpotu knocked down for Gabriel Okechukwu to score the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.
Okechukwu, who scored the winner against Angola in the quarter final in Tangier on Sunday, was alive, fit and menacing throughout, and was worth his Man-of-the-Match award at the end. Kano Pillars mercurial striker, Junior Lokosa scored a brace yesterday at the Sani Abacha stadium in a 2-0 defeat of reigning NPFL champions Plateau United.
The young striker has so far scored six goals out from six matches and is poised to score more goals in the coming weeks.
Lokosa scored both goals in the first half of the match in quick succession to ensure Plateau United suffered their second defeat in the
Former junior international Oladele Ajiboye took over from Ezenwa and did his credentials a world of good. He pulled a number of spectacular saves, including pushing a close range header onto the upright just before the interval.
A good shot by Okechukwu from the re-start was saved by the utterly busy goalkeeper Akram, who also had to save from the energetic Dayo Ojo in the 50th minute. Eight minutes later, Nigeria was reduced to 10 men with a second yellow card to midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.
Ajiboye came up big for another acrobatic save from Said in the 84th minute as the Sudanese sought to capitalize on their numerical advantage. But numerical parity was restored three minutes later as Bakri Bachir was red-carded for fouling goal-bound Dayo Ojo.
A minute into added time, Ajiboye pulled another acrobatic save that kept Nigeria in the game, eventually handing the Super Eagles the day and a trip to the Stade Mohamed V for Sunday’s showpiece encounter against the Atlas Lions.
Even before kick -off of Sunday’s battle, Salisu Yusuf and wards have made history, as this is the first-time ever that Nigeria would reach the final of the competition, having won bronze medals at the 2014 finals in South Africa. ongoing NPFL season.
Despite their defeat, United are still second on the table with ten points but will drop lower, if Lobi Stars win against Kwara United today.
Akwa United maintained their leadership position after playing out a 1-1 draw against FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi.
Cyril Olisema gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute but Ikeokwu equalised in the 48th minute to earn his side a point in the grueling match.
At the Agege township stadium, MFM laboured to a 2-1 win over resilient Wikki Tourists just as Stanley Dimgba’s strike in the 70th minute won the maximum points for Enyimba FC against neighbours Abia Warriors.
El-Kanemi Warriors suffered another setback after their barren draw at home with Kano Pillars as they suffered a slim 1-0 loss against Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Kehinde Adedipe’s strike in the 26th minute of the match won for the ‘Akure gunners’ the three points.
In Damaturu, Yobe Desert Stars built on their 1-1 draw away against Heartland in their week five match as they piped visiting Katsina United 1-0.
Young defender, Daniel Agwaza assisted Yobe Desert Stars leading goal scorer Chinedu Ohanachom to score in the 41st minute to ensure that the ‘Chanji boys’ returned to Katsina empty handed.
However, Week 6 matches continue today in some venues. While Lobi Stars visit Kwara United in Ilorin, Rangers will host Rivers United in Enugu.