Onazi and The Magnet walk tightrope
by Sammy Wejinya 06 February 2013, 10:46
Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama aka The Magnet both walk a tightrope in Nigeria’s semifinal against Mali at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Both players were booked in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 quarterfinal win against the Ivory Coast’s Elephants at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Stadium, Rustenburg on Sunday.
Onazi was booked in the 26th minute following a late tackle on Gervinho while Enyeama went into Algerian referee, Haimoudi Djamel’s book for time wasting late on.
The duo will duly miss Sunday’s final should Nigeria beat Mali on Wednesday and they receive any further cautions.
Keshi has now revealed that the two players will start Wednesday’s against Mali.
“They will start (against Mali) and I expect them to give their all. They are professionals and we hope there are no more bookings,” he said.
Three Nigerians were booked in the first game against Burkina Faso with Efe Ambrose getting the marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Four Nigerians were cautioned on Matchday 2 as the Super Eagles squared off against Zambia while Sunday Mba and Fegor Ogude received cautions in the team’s last group game against Ethiopia with the latter forced to sit out the quarterfinal against the Ivorians as a result of suspension.
