The entertaining encounter played at the 50,000 capacity Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, which was half-filled saw both sides give their best with Nigeria having the edge in a match that saw three yellow cards to the visitors and one to the hosts.
The culprits were Solomon Kwambe, Solomon Jabason and Sanni Sanusi. While Niger hitman Kalilou Dawodu was also booked for rough play.
Niger started the better side when after only five minutes Boubacar Talatou tried to chip the ball past goalkeeper and skipper, Chigozie Agbim.
The Warri Wolves man slipped, picked himself up and went for the save, which resulted in him hitting his shoulder against the woodwork.
The Nigerian bench looked worried but after the medics attended to him he was back to his feet but needed additional attention after the game. Isoufou Boubacar, Sidibe Modibo and Mohammed Soumaila, also had their tries at the Nigerian goal area in the first quarter but Azubuike Eguweke, Papa Idis and Juwon Oshaniwa held on strong. Egwueke gave his bench another scare in the 20th minute when he was stretchered off after hitting the ground while attempting a clearance, but he was again back after treatment.
From then on it was Nigeria all the way with Uche Kalu's freee kick blocked by Nigerien defenders in the 21st minute for one of the nine corner kicks played by the Eagles. Menas had five on the evening.
Kalu had other chances in the 27th and 35th minute but they were all wasted, before Ejike Uzoenyi's blistering run from the right fell to Mba who also blasted wide.
In the second half, stand in coach for Niger, Frederic Acosta made six changes in the first 20 minutes of the half but nothing changed as Nigeria continue to dictate the pace of the game but not before Agbim was again called to duty by danger man, Kalilou Dawouda, whose chip was going into the net before the big Nigerian palmed clear for a corner.
Keshi also made changes bringing in Umar Zango for a tired Idris, Kwambe was pulled out for Ugonna, Philip Asuquo for Sunday Mba, Sibi Gwar for Ejike Uzoenyi and Sanni Sanusi for Uche Kalu. As usual, Asuquo seized the midfield from the host but chances that fell to Sani, Reuben and Gwar were wasted as the referee blew the final whistle after five minutes of extra time for the home side to heave a sigh of relief.
Keshi said after the match that it was a game his wards would have won but nevertheless he was impressed by the attitude of the players who kept their concentration to the optimum throughout the encounter. “It's a good warm up for the Liberia game and we should pick a good result in the encounter, because we did not play with the compliments of our Europe based stars.”
Niger on the other hand featured up to eight foreign based professional players in the encounter.
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even if he qualifies us for Afcon, 1st round is as far s we would go, with 2 draws and 1 loss.. Then sia1 would be vindicated on why he never risked the super eagles to the feet of homebased players.
Foget about Nigeria foot ball we are going down every day by day, just take a look at Ghana they are improving every day even other countries, we have not play Ghana even draw at this time, that is to show you how har we have gone in distroying our game, we need a foreign Coach sunday olise that is all we need, we can no longer have fun with our Super Eagle because of bad administrators
Keshi, it takes playing and training together for players to click well and give results. No one should blame any foreign based who is unable to perform because this keshi is obviously acting out of line.
but nevertheless he was impressed by the attitude of the players who kept their concentration to the optimum throughout the encounter??
“It's a good warm up for the Liberia game and we should pick a good result in the encounter, because we did not play with the compliments of our Europe based stars????
1. WHO IS TO BE BLAME WHEN U ARE VERY BUSSY RISKY UR JOB WITH BUNCH OF HOME PLAYERS.
WHILE OUR FOREIGN BASE PLAYERS ARENT INVITED FOR D GAME.
2. WITH THIS HOME BASE PLAYERS UR JOB IS AT RISK.
3. AND WHEN ARE U GOING TO INVITED THE FORIEGN PLAYERS TO STRENGHTEN THE TEAM.
LET ME REMIND U NO TIME TO WASTE. ITS TIME TO USED UR FIRST TEAM CHOICES TO PLAYED FREINDLY
FOR THEN TO PLAY TOGETHER AND HAVE GOOD TEAM WORK NOT WHEN ITS CLOSER TIME BEFORE U CAN INVITE PRO TO THE TEAM.
BRASIL TEAM \ COTE IVOIRE..THEY ALL HAVE FOREIGN PLAYERS OF OLD DAYS MISSED UP WITH HOME BASE IN THEIR VARIORS TEAM. WHY URS IS FULL OF HOME BASE PLAYERS THAT CAN NOT PRODUCES GOOD RESULT.
U JUST HAVE TO LEARNED FROM SISSIA PREVIOUS MISTAKE AND DO D NEEDFUL TEAM IN TIMELY MANNER.
JUST A WORD OF ADVICES. GOD BLESS SE.
@Anonymous (10.54 post), it's good as you are remaining anonymous- by still referring to Kalu Uche as a Spain based player, you give us the impression that you are not keeping up with recent developments in the game. And are trying to ridicule Keshi. So, isn't it a case of pot calling kettle black? lol. Last time I checked, Kalu Uche was a player of Kasimpasa SK in Turkey.