Nigeria 4-2 Mozambique
African Champions Nigeria came from a goal down to beat Mozambique 4-2 and earn their maiden Africa Nations Championships in their second game played at Cape Town stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Mambas went ahead just after ten minutes thanks to a spectacular free kick by team captain Dario Khan but Nigeria restored parity a minute later through Ede Ifeanyi.
120 seconds later Rabiu Ali gave Nigeria the lead with a wonderful shot from outside the 18 yard box.
The lead didn’t last long enough as danger man Diogo equalised for Joao Chisano’s charges in the 20th minute. It was his second goal of the tournament
The first half produced four goals but Nigeria came out the stronger of the two sides and earned a controversial penalty in the 54th minute for a hand ball that replays showed happened outside the forbidden area and Rabiu Ali did no mistake but score his second and Nigeria’s third on the night.
Substitute Barnabas Imenger made the game safe against a stubborn Mozambique when he calmly chipped home when clear of goal two minutes from full time.
Nigeria now sit third on the group A table with three points just one behind joint leaders South Africa and Mali who played to a one all draw in the first of today’s group A games.
The Super Eagles must now beat hosts to advance to the quarter finals in what is expected to be a cracking game on Sunday.
Mozambique became the first side to exit the competition despite having a game to play against Mali.
