A remarkably under-strength Super Eagles took full command of the Charlton Athletic Stadium (The Valley) on Tuesday and handed a stinging 2-0 defeat to the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the first semi-final of this year’s Unity Cup Football Tournament.
Coach Eric Chelle sent out a barely-recognizable squad in the first game in his defence of the trophy that he won with the three-time African champions a year ago, with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Chibueze Oputa and forward Femi Azeez earning their first caps for the country.
Azeez, who plays for Millwall FC in the English Championship, swiftly put Nigeria in the lead after only five minutes, when he finished off a great team move with a left-footed rocket that goalkeeper Future Sibanda could not stop.
Azeez and USA-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf came pretty close four minutes later, but Sibanda was able to ward off the danger this time. Eight minutes later, Marshall Munetsi had sight of the Nigeria goal, but saw his shot blocked by Turkey-based centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu. Nwaiwu combined beautifully with Czech Republic-based Igoh Ogbu and home-boys Oputa and Igboke to make the Nigeria defence impregnable.
Jordan Zemura shot over the sticks in the 32nd minute, and 10 minutes later, Nwaiwu had to produce a solid tackle inside the box to stop the advancing Junior Zindoga.
Germany-based forward Philip Otele and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi came close late on in the first half, but the Warriors kept the scoreline low going into recess.
In the second half, Azeez netted his and Nigeria’s second of the night after beating Sibanda in the box following another swift team move, with Otele finding Terem Moffi who then located the Millwall man in the vital area.
In the 71st minute, Okonkwo had to stretch full length to deny the Warriors, as they poured forward in numbers searching to minimize the damage. As Nigeria firmly kept control of the proceedings, Coach Chelle gave opportunities to Tosin Oyedokun, Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi and Aderemi Adeoye to also earn their first caps for Nigeria.
In Saturday’s Final at the same venue, the Super Eagles will take on the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between last year’s runners-up Jamaica and India.