Nigeria Flatter To Deceive

Nigeria’s highly vaunted line-up failed to deliver the expected goal deluge against northern neighbours Niger in Saturday’s MTN Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, winning only 2-0 in their first match on the road to the 2008 finals in Ghana.

Middlesbrough striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, making his return to the side after missing the 2006 finals in Egypt, opened scoring for Nigeria in the 26th minute at the end of a fine pass from French-based midfielder Wilson Oruma.

Chinedu Ogbuke hit the upright with a fierce shot straight after the interval as the Super Eagles kept up their pressure on the visitors’ goal.

But it was only on the hour mark that Christian Obodo doubled the score for the home side, sailing his shot high into the net off the inside of the goal post.

Nigeria then failed to take advantage of the dismissal of Niger striker Harouna Ide, which left the visitors down to 10 men for the last 20 minutes.

Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen sought to add more goals at the end with the introduction of Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel and veteran Nwankwo Kanu but Niger’s Mena held their goal tight until the final whistle.