Hadji shoots down Eagles Youssef Hadji who had only come in 13 minutes earlier, capitalized on an Isaac Okoronkwo mis-kick and some sloppy marking by Joseph Yobo to shoot behind Vincent Enyeama in goal for Nigeria. 10 minutes later, Morouane Chamakh’s shot beat Enyeama but ricocheted off the upright for Vincent to make a quick recovery. The first ten minutes of the game saw the Moroccans running with a lot of space and often punishing the Nigerian central defensive pair of Joseph Yobo and a match rusty Isaac Okoronkwo. The incessant pressure led to an early yellow card for Yobo who was late in catching up with midfielder, Zairi. In the 15th minute, Okocha’s 25 yard pass got to Julius Aghahowa in the 18” box but his first touch failed him. Skipper Austin Okocha dazzled in the early minutes but later tried the long balls that were never connected by his attacking pair of Julius Aghajowa and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. The second half was not more different for the Nigerian side who played like a rudderless bunch. In the 54th minute Aiyegbeni was freed by and Aghahowa header but he shot wide. In the 65th, it was Aghahowa’s turn to head wide off an Aiyegbeni pull out. It was the Moroccans, however who played like a fitter, better and more intelligent side, the way they knocked the ball around, side stepped the Nigerian defence at will. Nigeria will need to beat South Africa in her next match on Saturday to have a realistic chance of making it through to the next stage of the competition. Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, George Abbey, Celestine Babayaro, Isaac Okoronkwo, Joseph Yobo, Seyi Olofinjana, Jay-Jay Okocha, John Utaka, Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Ayegbeni, Julius Aghahowa
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