Eagles devour South Africa

The Super Eagles got ahead in the 4th minute as defender Joseph Yobo side-footed home the opener after an error by South African goal keeper Emile Baron, to calm the nerves of millions of Nigerians.

Bolton's Jay Jay Okocha then scored from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute for the 1,000th goal in the tournament's history after Nigeria was awarded a penalty as Mokeonu and Kanu clash in the box. Mokoena was ruled to have handled the ball as he goes down during the challenge.

Nwankwo Kanu on three occasions failed to bury the ghost of a 13-nations cup games without a goal as he fluffed two clear chances in the first half.

Strikingly, it was the player who replaced him Osaze Odemwingie, who plays for Belgian first division club La Louviere that stole the show. Coming on for the Arsenal man, Odemwingie had a burst of acceleration on the right side of midfield, outwitting Jacob Lekgetho before curling a 15-yard effort which went past Baron and into the right-hand side of the goal.
He added the second few minutes later to restore the Super Eagles dented image.

“I am very happy to have made the difference but thanks must go to my older colleagues” the two goal hero told www.nigeriasports.com after the game.

Importantly though, Nigeria need to win their last game against wiping boys Benin in Sfax to have a chance of topping their group and avoiding a quarter-final tie against defending champions Cameroon.

FA considers erring players

The three decamped Nigerian players, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Agali and Yakubu Aiyegbeni could make a dramatic return to the Super Eagles if words emanating from Tunisia are anything to go by.

The Secretary General of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Taiwo Ogunjobi informed www.nigeriasports.com that the Sports minister, Musa Muhammed is thinking of pardoning the players so as to return normalcy to the team’s camp.

“As you can see the boys are happy without them but there’s no hiding the fact that we miss them but it serves as a lesson for others” Ogunjobi explains.

“Although the minister has the final say and he is considering their case after all the players pleaded on behalf of the colleagues, I only act on the directives of the minister” he added.

How they played

Nigeria: 1-Vincent Enyeama; 2-Joseph Yobo, 5-Isaac Okoronkwo, 15-George Abbey; 11-Garba Lawal, 10-Austin Okocha, 14-Seyi Olofinjana, 7-John Utaka, 4-Nwankwo Kanu (20-Peter Odemwingie 67); 21-Ifeanyi Ekwueme, 17-Julius Aghahowa (13-Pius Ikedia 84)

South Africa: 16-Emile Baron; 2-Thabang Molefe, 3-Jacob Lekgetho, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 7-Mbulelo Mabizela; 13-Benson Mhlongo (8-Bennett Mnguni 46), 19-John Moshoeu (11-Jabu Pule 86), 18-Delron Buckley, 15-Sibusiso Zuma (10-Stanton Fredericks 74); 14-Siyabonga Nomvete, 21-Patrick Mayo
Referee: Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates)