In spite of mediocre display for the better part of the encounter, Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, recorded a 3-1 win over Venezuela in an international friendly match played in Miami, Florida, United States of America in the early hours of Thursday.
Inexperience on the part of Venezuela gave the Nigerian side the match that saw stand-in-captain, Austin Ejide, as the hero of the day.
Sunshine Stars defender, Solomon Kwambe, who played in the right back position, had a bad outing as the Venezuelans exploited his area to terrorize the Super Eagles.
In the 33rd minute of play, injured Enyimba midfielder, Uche Henry, was substituted by Ejike Uzoenyi as the Nigerian side continued to struggle.
In the 35th minute, Captain Ejide saved an embarrassing situation as he stopped what could have been the opener for the Venezuelans.
The lanky goalkeeper stopped a goal bound effort of danger man of the Venezuelans, Randon, and got injured in the process as Nigeria’s defence line fumbled again.
On the other end, returnee striker, Obafemi Martins, was effectively checked again by the backline of the Vinotino.
Unmarked Martins shot wide inside the 18 yard box after latching on to a left wing lob from Echejile in the 40th minute of play.
Danger man, Rondon, a flashed shot across the Nigerian goal line in the 45th minute.
Kwambe’s right wing low drive was tapped in by Brown Ideye in the 48th minute of the encounter.
A 45-metre volley by Nosa Igiebor caught the Venezuelan goalkeeper, Hernandez, napping for Nigeria’s second goal.
Randon again tried getting behind the Nigerian goalkeeper in the 54th minute.
This time around, he overpowered Echejile before slotting in from close range.
The referee, like the first time, disallowed the goal.
Martins was replaced by Shola Ameobi in the 60th minute of play as the Super Eagles handler, Coach Stephen Keshi, fortified the attacking line.
A blunder by Oboabona in the 70th minute resulted into the goal by Venezuela’s no 19 shirt.
Thereafter, it was Vinotinto all the way as Nigeria conceded three corner kicks in quick succession.
Ejide came to the rescue of the uncoordinated Nigerian backline as he denied Venezuelan midfielder, Gonzalez, a chance to level in the 84th minute.
Three minutes later, it was Ejide who again saved the situation for the Nigerian side.
Igiebor was lucky to have escaped a marching order in the dying minutes of game after he violently pushed an opponent.
He was later replaced by Sunday Mba.
Ogenyi Onazi made it three in the stoppage time as he slotted in a pass from Ameobi.
Line up
Nigeria XI: Ejide, Kwambe, Oboabona, Azubuike, Echiejile, Henry Uche, Igiebor, Onazi, Ideye, B Dike, Martins. Subs: Ameobi,Musa,Gomo,Lawal,Mba,Ejike
Venezuela XI: Hernandez, 4 Vizcarrondo, 5 Amorebieta, 6 Flores, 9 Rivas, 11 Gonzalez, 13 Seijas, 16 Rosales, 18 Arango, 21 A Gonzalez, 23 Rondon
Other international friendly results
Korea Republic 1 – 2 Australia
China 1 – 1 New Zealand
Thailand 5 – 0 Bhutan
Malaysia 1 – 1 Hong Kong
Tanzania 1 – 0 Kenya
Georgia 0 – 0 Egypt
Kuwait 1 – 1 Bahrain
Armenia 4 – 2 Lithuania
Russia 2 – 2 United States
DR Congo 0 – 1 Burkina Faso
Rwanda 2 – 2 Namibia
U.A.E. 2 – 1 Estonia
Angola 1 – 1 Congo
Bulgaria 0 – 1 Ukraine
Czech Republic 3 – 0 Slovakia
Algeria 0 – 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cyprus 0 – 3 Finland
Rep. of Macedonia 3 – 2 Slovenia
Saudi Arabia 0 – 0 Argentina
Tunisia 1 – 2 Switzerland
Andorra 0 – 2 Iceland
Liechtenstein 0 – 1 Malta
South Africa 0 – 1 Zambia
Israel 1 – 2 Belarus
Chile 1 – 3 Serbia
Morocco 0 – 1 Togo
Romania 2 – 1 Belgium
Turkey 1 – 1 Denmark
Luxembourg 1 – 2 Scotland
Austria 0 – 3 Ivory Coast
Gabon 2 – 2 Portugal
Hungary 0 – 2 Norway
Sweden 4 – 2 England
Holland 0 – 0 Germany
Albania 0 – 0 Cameroon
Poland 1 – 3 Uruguay
Rep. of Ireland 0 – 1 Greece
Italy 1 – 2 France
Panama 1 – 5 Spain
Paraguay 3 – 1 Guatemala