Source: Xinhua
02-04-2008 17:54
Special Report: 2008 African CupLAGOS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Super Eagles' defensive frailty was exposed on Sunday by Ghana's Black Stars in the African Cup of Nations, who came from behind to overcome their West African neighbors 2-1.
The Eagles showed again their inability to handle opponents, who are reduced by one player.
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| Peter Odemwingie (L) of Nigeria challenges against Pantsil John of Ghana in the quarterfinal match of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Accra, Ghana Feb. 3, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) |
The Nigerians had held their own for 82 minutes until the defense and midfield fizzled out for Junior Agogo to net the winner after Michael Essien cancelled out Yakubu Aiyegbeni's 34th minute penalty.
The hosts, playing one man short after John Mensah had received the referee's marching order for bringing down Osaze Odemwingie but the Nigerians failed to press home the advantage.
Ghana's victory was a stark reminder of 2002 when the Eagles failed to press home the same advantage when Senegal played with a man down.
Ghana capitalized on Nigeria's weak right back and both goals came from that wing.
Nigeria's loss came on a day the team played far better than their three previous games.
Many Nigerian soccer fans expressed disappointment that the Eagles failed to beat their Ghanaian hosts.
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| Nigeria's Super Eagles' defensive frailty was exposed on Sunday by Ghana's Black Stars in the African Cup of Nations, who came from behind to overcome their West African neighbors 2-1. (Photo: sina.com) |
Some, however, were delighted that the star-studded Black Stars did not humiliate the Eagles as many had expected.
"If they had played like that in previous matches, they would not have been in the difficult situation prior to qualifying for the quarter finals," was the conclusion of the fans.
From the National Stadium, Lagos, Yomi Peters, former Stores FC player, said he was happy that the Eagles were not disgraced.
"We lost concentration and that cost us the second goal. We obviously played better than Ghana. We had individual players with skills but Ghana paraded a team," Peters said.
Muftau Olayinka, another fan, blamed poor officiating for Nigeria's for failure. From Ikosi-Iketu, fans called for the sack of coach Berti Vogts and the Sani Lulu-led NFA Board.
Editor:Xiong Qu
