By ‘Dayo Farore
The must-win 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa on Sunday June 5, 2011 would have come to an embarrassing end for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, if not for Skipper Joseph Yobo’s 86th minute equalizer, a thunderous header which gave the Nigerian side a 2–2 tie with the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in an away drawn-game advantage.
The miraculous tie engineered by the Super Eagles captain now puts the team on top of the Group B standings with seven points in a tie with the National Elephants of Guinea who also have seven points, but while the Super Eagles enjoy a +5 difference, the Syli National have a +4 difference. The Ethiopian are third with four points and Madagascar on the bottom.
However, Syli National could reclaim top spot even if they have a draw as they host bottom team Madagascar in a clash set to go down Sunday June 12, 2011.
Two months ago, the Super Eagles in the first leg of the qualifier series whooped the Walya Antelopes at the Abuja National Stadium in a 4–0 defeat with blinding goals from Peter Utaka and Ike Uche which led to the replacement of their coach, Iffy Onuora by Tom Saintfiet.
NET Quick Facts
Ikechukwu Uche, the same man who scored the fourth goal in the first leg at the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday March 27, 2011 was also the one who scored the first goal that kept Nigeria in the lead at the 27th minute.
Saladin Seid scored the equalizer at the 41st minute and then gave the second goal that kept them in the lead after manipulating his way past Vincent Enyeama just eight minutes into the 2nd half.
Joseph Yobo currently plays centre back for Turkish football club, Fenerbahçe SK.