NIGERIA
v
CôTE D’IVOIRE
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
February 3, 2013
February 3, 2013
*****
Nigeria
Things have not gone well for the Super
Eagles in past couple of years. The two time African champions performed
dismally in 2010 World Cup which was followed by a failure to qualify
for AFCON 2012. Their on-field under performances was coupled with off
field problems regarding country’s Federation as Nigeria’s FIFA ranking
plummeted down freely. Desperate for a turnaround,
Nigeria began their
AFCON 2013 campaign against Rwanda and emerged 2-0 winners over the two
legs. They faced Liberia in the final play-off round. The first leg in
Liberia ended 2-2 despite Nigeria leading 2-1 for most of the match.
Nigeria made short work of their opponents in the return leg as Victor
Moses scored two goals to help his country run out 6-1 victors.
Placed in a tricky group which contained
defending champions Zambia, Nigeria opened their campaign against
Burkina Faso. On 23rd minute John Obi Mikel and Ideye Brown combined to
set up Emmanuele Emenike – the Spartak Moscow striker made no mistakes
from close range. Nigeria continued to probe Burkinabe defence but their
strikers, especially Ikechukwu Uche were guilty of fluffing some gilt
edged chances. They were left to rue their profligacy in front of the
goal when Alain Traore scored Burkina Faso’s equalizer with last kick of
the game.
 | |
| Emmanuel Emenike |
Lack of concentration would once again
come back to haunt to Super Eagles when they faced off against defending
champions Zambia in second match. The match never reached pre-match
hype thanks to the poor condition of the pitch, which made it difficult
for both sides to string passes. Nigeria were handed an early initiative
when Davies Nkausu tripped Ahmed Musa and a spot kick was awarded.
Mikel, however, hit the post. He made up for his mistake, 12 minutes
into second half by assisting Emenike’s second goal of AFCON 2013.
Zambia upped the ante after going behind and could count themselves
lucky when they were awarded a controversial penalty on 85th minute for
Ogenyi Onanzi’s foul on Emmanuel Mayuka. Zambian ‘keeper converted the
spot kick as Nigeria were left once again to rue their inability to
stitch up a result.
Each of the four teams had a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals when Nigeria squared off against Ethiopia
in the last match. With 11 minutes left on the clock, the Super Eagles
were heading home as the match remained goal-less; they would have been
eliminated, having worse disciplinary record than Zambia. Nigeria went
for the jugular from the start but were once again let down by poor
finishing. However, their constant pressure finally paid off on 79th
minute when Victor Moses was fouled by Girma inside the penalty box.
Moses converted his penalty coolly to put Nigeria 1-0 up. The Chelsea
winger managed to earn a second penalty eleven minutes later and once
again converted it seal a 2-0 win and progress.
Nigeria is one of the few teams to
employ a three striker formation in AFCON 2013. Victor Moses, with his
pace and Emenike’s physical strength have been assets for the Super
Eagles till now. Veteran Joseph Yobo was rested in the last match but
should be back in starting XI to keep a check on Drogba.
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Enyeama, Ambrose, Yobo, Oboabona, Echiejile, Mikel, Ogude, Mba; Uche, Emenike, Victor Moses
Côte d’Ivoire
The highest ranked team in Africa has
been overwhelming favourites is past few editions of AFCON but has
somehow managed not to win it every time. Their golden generation is
ageing and this might be the Elephants last chance to have a crack at
AFCON title with Didier Drogba in helm.
The Ivoirians were paired with Senegal
but were expected to cruise to the final stage of AFCON 2013. Didier
Drogba and Co. fulfilled the expectations in first leg, running out 4-2
winners with Drogba and Gervinho among scorers. Senegal did get two away
goals but any that advantage was soon nullified in their home leg as
Drogba struck two goals in second half to put the Elephants 0-2 up. Two
minutes after Drogba’s second goal, a penalty, hell broke loose
as Senegal fans began throwing objects on the ground. Riots soon broke
out as local law enforcement authorities had to use tear gas to calm
down fans. Ivory Coast fans and players had to be escorted to safety.
CAF later decided to ban Senegal completely from AFCON 2013 and award
Ivory Coast a 2-0 victory.
Ivory Coast began their AFCON 2013
campaign with a 2-1 victory over Togo. Kolo Toure’s error almost led to
an early Togo goal but his brother put Ivory Coast ahead five minutes
later with a deflected shot. Buoyed by the opening goal the Elephants
took a firm grip over the match and would have doubled their lead had
Yaya Toure’s shot not hit the framework. Togo equalized completely
against the run of play just before the half-time thanks to Ivoirian
defence going to sleep while defending a corner. Didier Drogba had an
off-day and Ivory Coast didn’t create too many concrete chances in
second half. When it was looking that the game would end in another draw
Yaya Toure once again provided the inspiration. His free-kick was
volleyed in by Gervinho two minutes before the final whistle to round
off the score.
There were no such drama in the second
match against Tunisia as Ivory Coast controlled the match from start to
end, romping to a comfortable win. Gerivinho opened the scoring on 21st
minute after a wonderful one-two with Lacina Traore. Ivory Coast
dominated the proceedings but the first half would not generate any more
goals. They would score two late goals to put the result beyond doubt,
one of them a 20 yard stunner from Yaya Toure, to stitch up a creditable
win and deserved score-line. Their second consecutive win also made
them the only team in AFCON 2013 to ensure quarter-final progress after
two rounds.
A number of first teamers like Gervinho
and Yaya Toure were rested when Ivory Coast took on already eliminated
Algeria in an inconsequential match. Algeria made a bright start to the
match and looked determined to break their duck in AFCON 2013 – they
were yet to score in this year’s edition. They were awarded a penalty
but Boudebouz’s shot bounced off the post as the first half ended
goal-less. There were goals in second half, four to be exact. Algeria
broke the deadlock on 64th minute when Sofiane Feghouli made no mistakes
from the spot to score two minutes after coming on. He turned assister
six minutes later as El Arbi Hillel Soudani doubled Algeria’s advantage.
Ivory Coast responded in style scoring two goals in four minutes and
snatching a 2-2 draw.
Ivory Coast is likely to field a 4-2-3-1
formation with Didier Drogba as the lone striker. The EPL triumvirate
of Kalou, Yaya Toure and Gervinho are likely to play behind him. Ivory
Coast’s defence which didn’t concede a single goal in AFCON 2012 has
already been breached thrice in three matches. Their backline needs to
have an error free match against Nigeria.
Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Barry;
Emmanuel Eboué, Kolo Touré, Sol Bamba, Siaka Tiéné; Cheick Tioté,
Didier Zokora; Salomon Kalou, Yaya Touré, Gervinho; Drogba
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