It’s another beautiful afternoon here at the Adokiye Amasiemaka stadium in Port Harcourt, venue of the all-important 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between the home based Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Les Etalons of Burkina Faso.
The last time these two teams met was at the finals of
the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, where Sunday Mba’s effort helped the Stephen Keshi tutored side, lift the trophy in South Africa.
The Nigerian team were bronze medalist and the last CHAN in South Africa last year when they beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the third-place play-offs, after their 4-1 penalty shoot-out loss to Ghana in the Semis.
Referee Boubou Traore from Mali has been appointed to officiate this epic encounter.
Team list:
Nigeria
Starting XI : 1 Ezenwa Ikechukwu (GK), 2. Kwambe Solomon Sesugh, 3. Akas Chima Uche (C), 4. Alimi Jamiu, 5. Oboroakpor Austin, 7. Okoro Osadebamwen, 11, Bassey Ezekiel Joseph, 12. MAthew Ifeanyi, 13. Bature Yaro Kawu, 14. Onobi Paul Odeh 15. Adeniji babatunde Temitope.
Substitutes: Thomas Olufemi (GK), Eze Stephen, Aggreh Obus Prince, Gbolahan Salami, Muhammed Usman, Chikatara Chisom Elvis, Okogbue Kalu Orji
Burkina Faso:
Starting XI
1. Bailou Mohammed (GK), 3. Ouattara Mohammed, 6. Ouattara Maxime, 9. Sawadogo Ilasse, 10. Sylla Sydney Mohammed, 11. Songne Yacouba, 12. Koanda Souleymane, 15. Beao Fousseni, 19. Barro Adama, 20. Gora Emmanuel David, 22. Nabi Douda.
Half Time Score: Nigeria 1 – 0 Burkina Faso
45+1′ Dangerous ball into the Nigerian area, but Ezenwa takes the ball, as the referee signals the end of the first 45 minutes..
45′ One minute added-on.
43′ Souleymane tries to lob the ball into the danger area, but Kwambe was there to ‘return’ the ball.
41′ Les Etalons are piling the pressure now; great defending Alimi Jamiu. If that cross has passed the Nigerian player, anything could have happened.
38′ The referee just spotted an infringement there. Freekick to Nigeria for a counter. However, Bassey couldn’t direct his cross to his team mate. Play On!
37′ Chance! Great save by goalkeeper Mohammed. Okoro lashed the shot from outside the area, but the visiting keeper was at his best to parry the ball over the bar.
36′ Good display of skills by the eagles on the right flank, Okoro tried to get the cross in, but it was deflected into touch.
34′ Referee seems to be in full control of the game here. He just called the Nigerian captain to order.
32′ Great shot by Mohammed from 25 yards out, but Ezenwa was at the right position to parry the ball into touch.
29′ It’s all about the Eagles now, as they keep pressing for more goals. However, latest effort by Akas Chima was repelled.
26′ The fans are now in the ‘heavens’ here, as they keep singing all sorts of choruses to jeer the Super Eagles.
25′ Gooooooooaaallll! Yaro Bature lashes the ball into the far corner. Nigeria 1 – 0 Burkina Faso
24′ A chance for Ouattara Mohammed to put the visitors ahead; offside says the referee.
22′ Counter by the Eagles, Kwambe’s cross was too heavy for the strikers as Burkina Faso clear the danger.
21′ Great shot by Yaro. Saved!
20′ A chance for the Eagles…., the shot was deflected into touch. Corner kick, Nigeria.
18′ Yet again! Another blind pass by Kwambe. HE is yet to exhibit his level of experience in this game.
16′ Beao Fousseni is down on the turf. Looks like he is seriously injured, as the referee calls-in the medics. Still Nigeria 0 – 0 Burkina Faso.
14′ Again, Solomon Kwambe misses the ball. The player seems to be struggling to catch up with the pace of this game.
13′ The fans here are so disappointed with Yaro kawu, who should have crossed the ball for his team mates inside the Etalons danger area.
10′ Onobi Odeh tries to curl a freekick into the net, but the ball sails inches wide. The Eagles are beginning to get ‘hungry for a goal’
7′ Nice attempt by Akas Chima again. The captain tried to whip a shot from 30-yards out, but the ball floats wide. Goal kick Burkina Faso.
6′ The game is beginning to settle down, as both sides continue to toss the ball around the centre-circle.
5′ Great chance for Nigeria again, but Bassey’s low drive into the six-yard box could not find any green shirt.
3′ Okoro down on the turf there, after he was fouled by Ouattara Mohammed. Freekick to Nigeria.
2′ First attempt by Chima Akas, the captain of Nigeria, but the effort seems weak to trouble Bailou Mohammed.
1′ The Super Eagles gets us underway here. The Eagles in the traditional green and white jersey as Les Etalons are all clad in white.
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