Nigeria secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in a match that served as a virtual knockout stage for both teams. Here are the key points from the encounter:
- Quarter-Final Qualification: Nigeria, despite not shining in their previous group stage matches, managed to secure a spot in the quarter-finals with a victory over Ethiopia. The win was crucial for the Super Eagles, who had drawn their first two matches.
- Intense Duel: The Ethiopia-Nigeria match was described as an intense duel, serving as a de facto knockout stage between the two teams. Ethiopia had nothing to lose and still had a slim chance of finishing in second place in Group C.
- Nigeria’s Performance: Nigeria, while not displaying a dominant performance, had their destiny in their own hands. The Super Eagles had disappointed in their previous matches but had an opportunity to rectify their campaign against Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian Resistance: Ethiopia, despite a challenging start, managed to keep Nigeria at bay. The Walya were organized defensively, gaining confidence over time. The Super Eagles found it difficult to break through Ethiopia’s defense.
- Nigeria’s Offensive Struggles: Nigeria’s offensive struggles were evident in the match. The players seemed uncertain and lacked movement around the ball carrier. Long balls forward and imprecise passes characterized their play.
- Set Pieces: Nigeria resorted to attempting to break the deadlock through set pieces. The Super Eagles struggled to create scoring opportunities through open play, leading to a reliance on set-piece situations.
- Victor Moses’s Impact: In the 79th minute, Victor Moses provided a breakthrough for Nigeria by earning a penalty. He converted the penalty, opening the scoring for his team. Moses repeated the feat in the 85th minute, securing Nigeria’s victory with a second penalty.
- Obi Mikel’s Influence: Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel had limited influence on the game, facing close marking. The lack of impact from Mikel partly explained Nigeria’s initial struggles.
- Late Victory: Nigeria secured a close victory with two late goals from Victor Moses, ensuring their progression to the quarter-finals. The win was significant, considering the challenges faced by the Super Eagles in the group stage.
- Valiant Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s performance was described as valiant, and they demonstrated resilience against a favored Nigerian side. Despite the defeat, Ethiopia’s journey in the tournament showcased their determination.
Nigeria’s qualification sets the stage for their continued campaign in the knockout stages of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
