Super Eagles let Flames off the hook in Blantyre
The Flames scored deep into additional time to get a draw against the Super Eagles in Blantyre on Saturday
The Super Eagles and the Flames of Malawi played out a 1-1 draw in Blantyre on Saturday in a Day 2 qualifier for the 2014 World Cup. Kano Pillars midfielder Gabriel Reuben put Nigeria ahead with a header in the 90th minute but John Banda equalised for the home side two minutes into additional time.
After some hostile reception from Malawian football fans in Blantyre on Friday, the Eagles under Stephen Keshi drew but should have won the match again late as they did against Namibia last Sunday in Calabar when Ikechukwu Uche scored in the 80th minute after the team had missed a raft of goal scoring chances.
The match was played at the 25,000-capacity Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and it was a sea of red colour. The Flames started the brighter and Eagles captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama made a save off Nyondo in the tenth minute to keep the match even.
Victor Moses almost scored his first goal for the Eagles on 33 minutes but the Malawian goalkeeper Simplex Nthara made a fine save and at the time the Super Eagles were putting on the pressure in search of the first goal.
In the 39th minute, Ikechukwu Uche was denied in a one-on-one situation as the Flames were saved again by goalkeeper Nthara but the Eagles got a corner kick.
The second half saw the Nigerian team push hard for a goal but the Flames were resolute in their defensive display backed up by Nthara. Efe Ambrose got the first yellow card of the match in the 80th minute.
Nigeria scored late and would have thought they were coming home with the three points until Banda saved Kinnah Phiri’s blushes with a last minute equaliser.
Nigeria stay top of Group F with four points as the Malawians moved into second place after their two drawn matches.
Namibia host Kenya in the second game later.
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A spirited southern African side outplayed their visitors who had come with high hopes of vengeance, but suffered a 1-0 defeat
Not even Ghana’s coach, Kwesi Appiah’s three changes could raise the tempo of their game as the reigning African champions dictated the pace of the game throughout with a solid defense to shield goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Uncharacteristic of the four-time African champions, the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists struggled to create decent chances and with a huge home support, coach Herve Renard’s charges exhibited confidence with their structured game plan.
The Copper Bullets stuck to their guns and even with a goal up, made two changes to secure their solitary lead. The west Africans came into the game in the last 10 minutes, but the Zambians packed themselves in defense to consolidate their second win against Ghana this year.
The two sides last met at the semi-final stage of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Black Stars lost by a goal. Ghana still lead Group D with a superior goal difference after having defeated Lesotho 7-0 and Zambia losing against Sudan 2-0.
It is coach Appiah’s first defeat in charge of the Black Stars since he took over in April this year. Zambia’s victory leaves the group open since all three teams – Ghana, Sudan and Zambia – have three points with the Black Stars enjoying goals superi
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