Nigeria qualify for African Nations Cup – Demolish Liberia 6-1 in Calabar

Posted by admin Headlines, NNP News, Soccer, Sports, Top Stories Saturday, October 13th, 2012

Written By New Nigerian Politics

After missing the last edition of the continental soccer fiesta jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Nigeria found its magic in Calabar today when it demolished follow West Africans, Liberia 6-1 to qualify for the 2013 event to be hosted in South Africa. Trouble started for the boastful visitors in the very first minute of play when Ambrose Efe netted home a beauty to serve notice to the Lone Stars that had only a forthnight ago held the Super Eagles to a 2-2 tie in a standing room only stadium in Monrovia, the Liberian capital. That tie against a despirited Nigerian side gave the Lone Stars hopes of picking up the ticket for the continental championship at the expense of Nigeria in Calabar.

In fact, against the backdrop of the Monrovia tie, the Lone Stars Coach had boasted that the Liberians were coming to Nigeria to “break Nigeria’s hearts.” Little did the visitors know that their own hearts will need mending as Nigeria had other ideas. In the 38th minutes, Ahmed Musa doubled his side’s lead while new Chelsea winger, Victor Moses, comfortably added to the lead in the 47th minute, his first goal for Nigeria. In the 52nd minutes, it appeared to be an all Chelsea affair as Mikel Obi, Chelsea midfielder, convert a penalty to virtually hand the Super Eagles a ticket to the elusive championship.

In the 71st minutes, the visiting West Africans who were stranded in Ghana after their plane was initially refused landing rights in Nigeria, found themselves in more trouble as their skipper, Duncan Gebron, was expelled from the game after bagging a second yellow card, reducing their strength to ten men. Their woes was compounded with Ike Uche’s neatly tucked away goal in the 72nd minute that gave little comfort to the visitors. Consolation, however, came the way of the Lone Stars when Wleh took full advantage of the a lose ball in the Nigerian penalty to score in the 81st minutes while victor Moses responded to Liberia’s boldness with a powerful shot that added salt to injury.

FULL-TIME

It’s all over in Nigeria – and Liberia will certainly be grateful to hear the
final whistle. A brilliant attacking display has booked Nigeria’s place in South
Africa, and on this form they might just have a chance at being crowned
champions.

1751:

GOAL –
Nigeria 6-1 Liberia

Nigeria’s five-goal margin is restored by Victor Moses who
heads in from Mikel’s cross to grab his second of the
game.

1743:

GOAL –
Nigeria 5-1 Liberia

Patrick Wleh shows determination in the penalty box to get
to the ball first and he toes it past Enyeama into the net. A very minor
consolation for Liberia.

1739:

GOAL –
Nigeria 5-0 Liberia

It’s a rout. Ike Uche gets on the score sheet as Nigeria
show neighbours Liberia no mercy. Uche’s shot crashes in off the post – as if
confirmation was needed that Liveria’s luck is not in
today!

1737:

RED CARD

It has been a thoroughly miserable day for Liberia and it gets worse for them
as skipper Gebro Duncan gets a second booking and is sent off.
They will have to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men – and they’ve been
completely outplayed so far already. It doesn’t look good for the Lone
Star.

1732:

GOAL –
Nigeria 4-0 Liberia

Nigeria are cruising now as John Obi Mikel notches their
fourth after 50 minutes.

1707:

GOAL –
Nigeria 3-0 Liberia

Victor Moses puts Nigeria within touching distance of next
year’s tournament in South Africa. The Chelsea winger converts Nosa Igiebor’s
cross to score his first goal for his country.

1653:

GOAL –
Nigeria 2-0 Liberia

Ahmed Musa doubles his side’s lead as he latches on to
Emmanuel Emenike’s ball into the box and slots home. The Super Eagles are now in
a strong position, with two away goals in the bag from the first leg. But one
strike from Liberia would change the complexion of
things.

1638:

CLOSE!

Liberia are pressing for an equaliser and they almost get one through Sekou
Oliseh, whose low effort is tipped around the post by Vincent
Enyeama.

1623:

And to bring you bang up to date, the match between Nigeria and Liberia is
now under way.
Nigeria are already 1-0 up, thanks to Efe Ambrose’s
first-minute strike.

And to bring you bang up to date, the match between Nigeria and Liberia is
now under way.

Nigeria are already 1-0 up, thanks to Efe Ambrose’s
first-minute strike.

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