Saturday 25 May 2013     15 Rajab 1434
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Daily Trust Online

Aston Business School

Brave Moses takes Eagles to promised land

Category: Sports

A brace of penalties late in the second half from Victor Moses saw Nigeria save their blushes and qualify for the knockout stages of the 2013 African Cup of Nations after beating Ethiopia 2-0 in their final Group C match at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg on Tuesday night.
The first 45 minutes took a pattern we have become familiar with during this AFCON tournament when Nigeria takes to the field.
The Super Eagles dominated the majority of the play, but for all their possession they were unable to make one of their openings on goal count.
Nigeria, however, should have taken the lead as early as the third minute when a left-sided free-kick found Efe Ambrose unmarked at the back post, but his ten-yard header went inches over the crossbar.
In the 16th minute Ethiopia created their first and only real chance on goal from a corner-kick. Some sloppy defending by Nigeria saw Saladin Said with a free header form six-yards out, but his attempt went over the target.
In the 35th minute another set-piece resulted in a headed attempt on goal. This time Elderson Echiejile met the corner with a powerful header form 14-yards out. His attempt, though, was on target but Ethiopian keeper, Sisay Bancha, was on hand to make a fine save.
The best chance of the half fell to Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo after a free-kick delivered into the box resulted in a goalmouth scramble seconds before the half time break. The loose ball fell to Omeruo, but he fired over from close range to take the teams into the break all-square.
In the 66th minute, Nigeria were able to fashion another chance on goal from a corner-kick. This time Oboabona met the ball with a header, but while his attempt beat the keeper he saw his header cleared off the goal line by Abebaw Butaco.
Finally, in the 78th minute the Super Eagles were able to make all their pressure tell when Victor Moses was pulled down inside the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot.
Moses stepped-up and coolly converted the spot-kick to give his side the lead, 1-0.
With five minutes to go Moses broke on the counter-attack and won the second penalty of the match when keeper, Sisay Bancha, pulled him down inside the box. Bancha was consequently shown his second yellow card of the night and had to leave the field.
With Ethiopia having made all three of their substitutes outfield player Addis Hintsu had to take the goalies spot and there was nothing he could do to stop Moses from scoring his second penalty goal and sealing victory for Nigeria, 2-0.Eagles will now play Elephants of Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the 2013 AFCON.

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