Advantage Eagles - Maul Benin 4-0 in WAFU opener
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- Written by Orkula Shaagee
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The home-based Eagles dominated proceeding in the first half but found it difficult to hit the back of the net, as they scored only a goal in the first period.
Things however changed, as goals from Gbolahan Salami, ThankGod Ike, Gabriel Reuben and Chinedu Ezimorah in the second stanza provided a comfortable win for the Daniel Amokachie-led Eagles.
Aware of the pressure after their elimination from the African Nations Cup two weeks ago by Niger, the Eagles started on a shaky note as they tried to impose their authority in the opening stages.
But penetration was hard to find against a sturdy Benin defence, and when they did get behind, atrocious shooting cost them.
If the first half was a case of missed opportunities, it looked like continuing in the second, at least for the opening quarter hour.
But things changed when Gbolahan Salami converted a penalty on the hour mark and Amokachi reorganised his team with two substitutions.
It was one of those subs, Ejike Uzoenyi, whose contribution proved decisive. He was involved in the build-up to the delivery that saw ThankGod Ike plant a header into the net for 2-0, and then set up the best goal of the afternoon.
Picking up the ball down the left channel, the forward jinxed his way down the far side, taking two defenders along with him before squaring a cut-back into the gaping hole they had left behind for Reuben to side-foot a fine finish.
Uzoenyi was involved again in the last goal, sending a cross field ball to Ahmed Musa on the opposite side.
The League top scorer broke with pace, then laid on a low ball across the face of goal for the simplest of tap ins by Amokachi’s final substitute Chinedu Ezimorah, who had been on the pitch for just about a minute and was having only his second touch.
Advantage Eagles - Maul Benin 4-0 in WAFU opener
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 882
The Eagles Team B yesterday eased the pressure on Coach Daniel Amokachi with a 4-0 win over Benin Republic in the opening game of the WAFU Cup competition in Abeokuta.The home-based Eagles dominated proceeding in the first half but found it difficult to hit the back of the net, as they scored only a goal in the first period.
Things however changed, as goals from Gbolahan Salami, ThankGod Ike, Gabriel Reuben and Chinedu Ezimorah in the second stanza provided a comfortable win for the Daniel Amokachie-led Eagles.
Aware of the pressure after their elimination from the African Nations Cup two weeks ago by Niger, the Eagles started on a shaky note as they tried to impose their authority in the opening stages.
But penetration was hard to find against a sturdy Benin defence, and when they did get behind, atrocious shooting cost them.
If the first half was a case of missed opportunities, it looked like continuing in the second, at least for the opening quarter hour.
But things changed when Gbolahan Salami converted a penalty on the hour mark and Amokachi reorganised his team with two substitutions.
It was one of those subs, Ejike Uzoenyi, whose contribution proved decisive. He was involved in the build-up to the delivery that saw ThankGod Ike plant a header into the net for 2-0, and then set up the best goal of the afternoon.
Picking up the ball down the left channel, the forward jinxed his way down the far side, taking two defenders along with him before squaring a cut-back into the gaping hole they had left behind for Reuben to side-foot a fine finish.
Uzoenyi was involved again in the last goal, sending a cross field ball to Ahmed Musa on the opposite side.
The League top scorer broke with pace, then laid on a low ball across the face of goal for the simplest of tap ins by Amokachi’s final substitute Chinedu Ezimorah, who had been on the pitch for just about a minute and was having only his second touch.