Nigeria beats Venezuela 3-1 in international first pre-Afcon friendly

By Osagie Alonge

The Super Eagles of Nigeria whooped their Venezuelan counterparts 3-1 in their first pre-Afcon friendly at the Marlin Park in Miami, Florida in the USA on Thursday morning, November 15, 2012.

Sports analysts will however argue that the score line is not a true reflection of the balance of the game.

Ideye Brown and Igiebor Nosa scored in a 5-minute span early in the second half to help Nigeria beat Venezuela 3-1 in an exhibition game.

After both teams failed to convert multiple scoring opportunities in the first half, Nigeria broke through on Brown’s goal in the 48th minute.

Nosa, of Spanish club Real Betis, sent a pass toward the right wing to Kwambe Solomon, whose crossing pass found Brown open inside the 6-yard box. Brown tapped in a shot past goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez.

Nosa made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. Nosa blasted an arcing 30-yard shot that landed inside the right post and stunned the pro-Venezuela crowd in the first soccer game at Marlins Park.

Venezuela cut it to 2-1 on Frank Fleschcer’s goal in the 69th minute.

Juan Arango capitalized on a Nigeria turnover and sent a pass to the charging Fletscher, whose shot from 18 yards eluded goalkeeper Ejide Austine and landed inside the right post.

Onazi Ogenyi’s completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Venezuela had two goals negated, the second as it tried to reduce the two-goal deficit. Rondon Solomon converted from 10 yards in the 55th minute, Solomon’s right hand touched the ball before the shot.

In the 14th minute, Cesar Gonzalez appeared to have given Venezuela a goal in the 14th minute with an indirect free kick from 25 yards that landed inside the right post. But Gonzalez’s shot was re-directed by a Venezuela handball infraction inside the Nigeria penalty area.

Detrot Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, from Venezuela, participated in the ceremonial pregame kickoff.

Additional reports from Associated Press