Mba becomes the Elephant killer
by Iwedi Ojinmah 03 February 2013, 19:12
Nigeria proved all the pundits and doubters wrong today in quarter final three by upsetting the star studded and much fancied Elephants of the Ivory Coast 2-1.
From the opening whistle the Super Eagles showed that they would not be intimidated and took the fight to Africa’s top ranked team.
Using flank play as well as a solid defending Nigeria proved to be more than a nuisance relying on Moses and Emenike who blew at least two solid chances to take the lead.
They were finally rewarded when Emenike shot them ahead with a monster free kick that has to be in contention for goal of the tournament.
The second half saw the Ivorians come out with more urgency and after a suspect call in favour of Drogba they converted the resulting free kick through Cheick Tiote and the game was tied at 1-1.
That seemed to breath life into the Elephants who now turned it on and only a superb save by Enyeama stopped APOY Yaya Toure from giving the Ivoirians the lead in the 66th minute.
And then with 12 minutes left came the goal of the game from the Enugu Rangers Star Sunday Mba who waltzed all the way through the Elephants midfield and unleashed a salvo in the 78th minute that saw Nigeria take the lead for good.
Nigeria now faces Mali in semi final 1.
