Nigeria maul Liberia 6-1 in Benin

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, May 1st, 2011

After a nervy start, Nigeria’s Under-23 national team came from a goal down to beat Liberia 6-1 in the Nigerian mid western city of Benin.

Edet Ibok and Solomon Okpako were the biggest culprits in the early minutes giving out balls to the opponents even when unchallenged.

One of those mistimed passes by Okpako was intercepted and Arche Harvey was then brought down in the box by Ibok and the referee wasted no time pointing to the spot for a penalty kick that was converted by Patrick Wreh.

Three minutes later, Ekigho Ehiosun was brought down in the Liberian box and a penalty was called.

Chima Uchechi stepped up to slot home and draw level for Nigeria.

Solomon Okpako was promptly taken off for Ganiyu Oseni and the Nigerian side began to play with more purpose probably realizing what was at stake.

With three minutes left for half time, Nnamdi Oduamadi who had been tormentor in chief on the Nigerian side, left three defenders gasping for breath and he fired home to the top right corner of the post beating a hapless Nathaniel Sherman in goal for Liberia.

With a minute left to play before the break, Nosa Igiebor’s long range pass freed Ehiosun but he was pulled down by the keeper after he made his way past and the referee called a penalty for Nigeria that was converted by Igiebor.

At the start of the 2nd half, it was Ekigho Ehiosun who showed he wanted it more and his passing, positioning, control and shooting was top notch.

In the 49th minute, Ehiosun found space outside the Liberian box, stormed past his marker and laid on for Ganiyu Oseni who blasted home from close range.

Osas Okoro replaced Danny Uchechi for Nigeria and with 9 minutes left on the clock, it was another Ehiosun assist as he got a pass from Ikhande who had just come in for Oduamadi and Ehiosun zoomed past his marker and found Oseni in the box again who blasted in his brace.

With scores at 5-1 the fans at the stadium started crying for more but it was the Liberians who almost pulled one back as Kpah Sherman found space in Nigeria’s area and tried to chip Dele Ajiboye in Nigeria’s goal but he stepped back to punch clear.

With the stadium gates thrown open and fans beginning to leave, Nosa Igiebor went on a solo effort, going past three defenders before blasting in from outside the box, a curling shot that beat the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s 6th of the day.

Full time scores had it at 6-1 and 7-2 on aggregate as the game in Monronvia ended 1-1.

-Kickoffnigeriawp_posts