Emmanuel Emenike Nets Brace As Super Eagles Defeat Ethiopia

Under harsh conditions, playing against the altitude and the spectators, African champions Nigeria showed plenty of character, coming back from a goal deficit to defeat Ethiopia 2 - 1 on Sunday in the first leg of the World Cup play - off.

The result puts Nigeria in the driving seat ahead of the second leg tie on November 16 and the Super Eagles will qualify for their Fifth World Cup if they avoid defeat in Calabar.

The Wayla Antelopes controlled first half proceedings and could have had their noses in front at the end of the half if the Cameroonian referee had allowed Saladin Said’s first half goal in the 24th minute.

It was a contentious decision by the match official. Television replays clearly showed that Godfrey Oboabona’s clearance was in vain as the ball had crossed the goal-line.

But the referee later made up for his error when he awarded a goal to the Ethiopians in the 57th minute.

Behailu Asefa’s cross was adjudged to be a legitimate goal after the linesman ruled that Vincent Enyema handled the ball in the net.

In the 67th minute, Emmanuel Emenike restored parity for Nigeria, blasting in an effort from more than 30 yards.

If the East Africans had watched videos of the African Cup of Nations, they would have known that the Fenerbahce attacker ought to have been closed down from that range. But they did not and were punished.

After Emenike’s  goal, the Super Eagles were in complete control, and Ahmed Musa could have given Nigeria a 2 - 1 lead but his clever shot hit the post in the 77th minute.

Emmanuel Emenike bagged his eighth goal this calendar year, netting from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.

Nigeria will be confident they can finish the business on November 16 when the second leg is played.