Super Eagles Draw With Angola Ahead Of CHAN

Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw in their international friendly against Angola at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles took the lead after Ikechukwu Ibenegbu drove in a shot from the penalty spot six minutes from time. Angola drew level moments later from a corner kick.

The Super Eagles dominated from the start and had chances to score in the opening exchanges.

Ibenegbu’s box-to-box play caused problems for the Angola defence and the Warri Wolves player saw his speculative effort blocked by the goalkeeper.

The Super Eagles were dealt a blow when Sunshine Stars defensive midfielder Paul Onobi was taken off due to a slight knock.

Angola made a foray into the Super Eagles half and won a penalty kick which was taken by Adriano Duarte Nicolau, who directed the ball wide of the target.

The first half ended goalless with more to play for in the second stanza.

In the beginning of the second half, Super Eagles technical crew injected fresh blood to the team with the introduction of Ibrahim Salawu, Osas Okoro, Kalu Orji, Jamiu Alimi, and the impressive Okiemute Odah.

Substitute Odah denied the Angolans with sharp reflex saves in the 52nd and 59th minutes respectively.

Ibenegbu scored from the penalty spot after Salawu was brought down in penalty box in the 84th minute.

There was more drama as the determined Palancas Negras were on level terms through a header from a corner-kick.

The Super Eagles B team, alongside technical and backroom staff, flew out of the country on Saturday (2 January 2016) afternoon to Pretoria, South Africa, where a 10-day pre-tournament training camp was arranged, alongside three friendly games against Ama Tuks, fellow Rwanda-bound Angola and Cote d’Ivoire on 6 January and five days later.

Nigeria placed third at their only appearance at the CHAN finals, in 2014 in South Africa.

The West Africans will campaign in Group C alongside 2011 winners Tunisia, Niger and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali.

How the Super Eagles Lined Up: Olufemi Thomas (Okiemute Odah 47min), Chris Madaki, Matthew Etim (Kalu Orji 47min), Austin Oboroakpo, Stephen Eze (Jamiu Alimi 47min), Paul Onobi (Usman Mohammed 35′), Ifeanyi Mathew, Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Ezekiel Bassey, Bright Onyedikachi (Osas Okoro 47min), Prince Aggreh (Ibrahim Salawu 47min)

Subs Not Used: Ikechukwu Ezenwa,, Chima Akas, Samson Gbadebo, Ifeanyi Mathew, Yaro Bature, Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara 

Photo Credit : thenff.com