CHAN 2014: Eagles survive Lions’ scare

The home-based Super Eagles came back from the dead to beat a stubborn Atlas Lions of Morocco side 4-3 in a tension soaked quarterfinal tie of the ongoing African Nations Championship in the Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on Saturday.
The Moroccans stunned the African Champions with three quick goals in the first half, which left the Super Eagles and their supporters wondering.
The two countries tried to take early control of the encounter, with most of the action in the midfield area.
Ifeanyi Ede had Nigeria’s first chance when he dribbled past Morocco’s Adil Karrouchy but his effort slightly missed target.
Abdelkabir El Ouadi fluffed Morocco’s opportunity to take lead as his low shot went across the side bar.
Nigeria was eventually punished as Shehu Abdullahi lost possession in the midfield area to allow Mohsine Moutaouali to slot past Chigozie Agbim.
The second goal arrived almost immediately as Iajour Mouhssine curled in a beautiful free kick past the hapless Nigerian goalkeeper.
Morocco’s third goal also came in the first half as Mohsine Moutaouali grabbed his second goal of the match.
At the end of the first half, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim had conceeded eight goals in the tournament.
He let in five goals in the group stage and picked up three from his net in the first half.
Coach Stephen Keshi introduced Bernabas Imenger to replace Gbolahan Salami.
Then, the goals continued to flow in early in the second half as Ugonna Uzochukwu fired in a shot for Nigeria’s first goal to make it 3-1.
Rabiu Ali added the second in the 55th minute to record his third goal of the competition.
Abubakar Ibrahim replaced Ifeanyi Ede as Nigeria searched for a third goal.
The Nigerian boys did the unthinkable on the stroke of time when the enterprising Ejike Uzoenyi hit a powerful shot with his unusual right leg to keep Nigeria in the game and forced it into extra time.
It was his third goal of the tournament.
The first half of the extra time produced no goal but Nasarawa United’s Abubakar Ibrahim’s goal in the 110th minute put Nigeria ahead for the first time in the game, with the Eagles scoring their 12th goal of the tournament.
At the end, it was another miraculous day in the history of Nigerian football.
President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their exhilarating come-back victory over their Moroccan counterparts.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “President Jonathan applauds the indomitable spirit with which the Super Eagles fought back from being three goals down to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and win a most memorable victory with almost the last kick of the match.
“The President commends the courage, patriotism, determination and dedication to national service exhibited by the Super Eagles today to all other Nigerians.
“He urges the team to maintain their exemplary commitment to national duty until ultimate victory in the continental soccer championship for home-based players is achieved.
“President Jonathan assures the team and its handlers that they will continue to receive the fullest possible support from the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they strive to add the African Nations Championship trophy to the African Nations Cup which Nigeria won last year.
“He joins all other patriotic and proud Nigerians in praying for the success of the team in the semi-finals and finals of the tournament.”