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Super Eagles thrash Benin 2-0
Essipon (W/R) Jan. 29, Ghanadot/GNA -
Unimpressive Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday struggled to
beat Benin 2-0 in their last "Group B" encounter in the
ongoing Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament at the
Essipon stadium, near Sekondi.
It was John Obi Mikel, who broke the deadlock after almost
56 minutes of play when he headed home a Peter Odemwingie
cross after Benin keeper Yoann Djidonou failed to grab a
Taye Taiwo free-kick and the ball went to Odemwingie to send
in the cross.
The goal revitalised the attacking machinery of the Super
Eagles that looked too ordinary in the first half of the
game.
Their fans shouted and yelled loudly urging them on to keep
on fighting for more goals.
They found their rhythm and soon started to dictate the pace
of the game.
Their efforts paid off when in the 78th minute hardworking
Yakubu Ayegbeni pounced on a loose ball and beat goalkeeper
Djidonou with a terrific shot.
Benin threw everything into the game and matched the Super
Eagles squarely in every department but the lack of ideas
upfront robbed them of goals from all the opportunities that
came their way.
In fact Benin attacking line led by Razack Omotoyossi and
Oumar Tchomogo gave the Nigerian defence many anxious
moments but always shot wide when them come close to
scoring.
In the 44th minute Omotoyossi sneaked through the defence of
Nigeria and with only goalkeeper Austine Ejide to beat shot
over the bar.
Both teams missed many begging scoring chances especially in
the second half of the game.
In the second half Nigeria made three substitutions bringing
on Victor Nsofor for John Utaka, Richard Eromoigbe for Paul
Etuhu and Rabiu Afolabi for Peter Odemwingie.
This, however, did not change the pattern of the Nigerian
game rather it was Benin who became more dangerous as they
string their passes together forcing the Nigerian defence to
work overtime.
It was all joy for the Nigerian supporters as they hug each
other and vigorously waved the Green and White when referee
Bennaceur Kacem of Tunisia brought proceedings to an end.
Nigeria Line up: Austine Ejide, Josphe Yobo, Taiwo Taye,
Obinna Nwaneri, Daniel Shittu, John Utaka/Victor Nsofor
,John Obi Mikel, Peter Odemwingie/Rabiu Afolabi, Ikechukwu
Uche, Paul Etuhu/ richard Eromoigbe and Yakubu Ayigbeni.
Benin Line up: Yoann Djidonou, Khaled Adenon, Damaien
Chrysostome, Jona Oketola, Romuald Boco, Razack Omotoyossi,
Oumar Tchomogo, Alain Gaspoz, Aniciet Adjamossi, Stephane
Sessegnon and Jocelin Ahoueya.
GNA
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