The Observer - 26 January 2014 - 15
Nigeria win thriller against Morocco
S
Nigeria beat Morocco in African Nations Championship quarter-final
UCHE GEORGE EGBE
outh Africa: Nigeria came from
three goals down at half-time to
beat Morocco 4-3 in extra-time in
the African Nations Championship
quarter-final played at Cape Town Stadium on
Saturday evening.
Nigeria’s goals were scored by Ugonna
Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali, Ejike Uzoenyi and
Abubakar Ibrahim while the Morocco goals
were scored by Mohsine Moutaouali, Iajour
Mouhssine and Mohsine Moutaouali.
The game started in frantic fashion as a
shot from Mouhssine forced Agbim to make
a fine save inside the opening minute, after
the Moroccan broke in from the right flank.
But Nigeria responded later, when Ugonna
Uzochukwu headed a free-kick from Ejike
Uzoenyi wide.
A timely block by Obanor prevented
Morocco from scoring in the 15th minute
through the impressive El Ouadi who shot at
goal after a neat one-two with a teammate.
At the other end, Ifeanyi Ede wasted a
chance to put Nigeria in front as he chose to
shot into the side-netting instead of passing
squaring the ball to a better positioned
Uzoenyi in the 18th minute. Gbolahan Salami
forced Nadir in Morocco’s goal to make a
finger-tipped save after heading a cross from
Uzoenyi on target.
Both sides continued to search for
an opener with Morocco looking more
threatening, so it was no surprise when they
took the lead through Moutaouali in the 33rd
minute as he lobbed the ball over Agbim who
was left exposed and forced to come off his
line after Nigeria lost possession in midfield.
Salami had a chance to level the scores
three minutes later but the 3SC frontman
blasted his shot wide.
Nigeria were made to pay when Mouhssine
Iajour curled in a direct free-kick in the 37th
minute after Bright Esieme gave away a freekick on the edge of the area.
The Moroccans extended their lead
three minutes later as Moutaouali scored his
second goal of the game after shooting from
outside the box, t