THE Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded one of their most memorable wins ever following a 4-1 drubbing of Argentina at the National Stadium in Abuja last night.
It may have been an international friendly, but the Nigerians hardly approached it as one. The South Americans, however, were seriously found wanting, especially in a first half where they were chasing shadows.
Nigeria dominated the game from start to finish as they handed out a humiliating reverse to an Argentina side. Two goals from Ike Uche in the first half helped leave the Albiceleste in disarray by half time as they went in three goals down.Obinna Nsofor also hit from the penalty spot in the first half, while Emanuel Emenike put the icing on the cake with a delightful lobbed finish minutes after the restart.
Mario Bolatti in turn converted a 98th minute penalty for Argentina.
In truth it was a pitiful performance from the South Americans, who were out-run, out-thought and out-played by their opponents for almost the entire 90 minutes.
The Eagles took the lead on 15 minutes through Ike Uche – his half-blocked shot looping over the keeper and into the back of the net after a neat turn in the area
On 28 minutes the Eagles were 2-0 up as Obinna Nsofor converted from the spot – though the Argentines might have a case for complaining about the soft penalty awarded by Niger referee Ibrahim Chaibou.
Just before the break the Eagles launched a lightning quick counter-attack which ended with Uche getting his brace with a far-post header.
In fairness, the visitors looked slightly better in the second half, and got a consolation goal from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game through Mario Boselli – again a very poor decision by the referee.
Nigeria could literally have had at least another three goals, and they will settle for the morale-boosting 4-1 win ahead of the more important African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia.
Watch the goals here:
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Match info:
Satadium : Abuja National Stadium
Argentina :
Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar, Adrian Gabbarini, Sergio Romero.
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay, Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fazio, Javier Zanetti, Marco Rojo, Gabriel Milito, Nicolas Burdisso, Nicolas Otamendi.
Midfielders : Mario Bolatti,Jose Sosa,Esteban Cambiasso,Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega,Lucas Biglia,Fernando Belluschi, Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria.
Forwards : Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Nicolás Gaitán, Eduardo Salvio.
Nigeria :
Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba, Vincent Enyeama.
Defenders: Taye Taiwo, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Michael Odibe, Joseph Yobo, Dele Adeleye, Olubayo Adefemi, Uwa Elderson Echiejile.
Midfielders: Victor Moses, Nwankwo Obiora, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, John Obi Mikel, Femi Ajilore, Joel Obi.
