Leadership (Abuja)
Blessing Bassey
11 October 2009
Abuja — The Super Eagles of Nigeria last night at the National Stadium had to wait till the 88th minute to pick the maximum three points.
After a goalless first half Super Eagles substitute Obinna Nsofor put smiles on the faces of worried fans when he scored the only goal of the must win match.
The Nigerian side who did not impress the almost empty stadium in Abuja missed several scoring chances before Nsofor restored the hopes of Nigerians in the quest to pick the sole Group B ticket for the 2010 World Cup.
Had if not been the crucial saving goal scored by Obinna Nsofor Nigeria's World Cup qualification hopes would have been over.
Angered by the poor performance in the September 6 encounter, football fans had deserted the Abuja National Stadium. The few that turned out most times booed the Nigerian national team and applauded the Mozambicans who held on till the late minute of the game.
Tunisia, Super Eagles' group foes also beat Kenya scoring in the fifth minute to maintain their lead as group favourites. Eagles' qualification still hangs in the balance despite the victory as the last away match to the Harambee Stars of Kenya is a must win while Tunisia needs only a draw in Maputo to qualify.
Eagles' coach Shuaibu Amodu said Nigerians should not lose hope and focus. According to him, the players still cherish the desire to make it to the World Cup.
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