Warriors Cage Eagles in Windhoek

*As Nigeria will need to wait till last
game for ticket to final round
Super Eagles’ Godfrey Oboabona
By Duro Ikhazuagbe
It took a Godfrey Oboabona’s 83rd
equaliser for African champions
Nigeria to snatch a point from the
Brave Warriors of Namibia in the
2014 World Cup qualifying match in
Windhoek Wednesday night.
After Malawi had played a 2-2 draw
with Kenya to smoothen the way for
the Super Eagles to qualify for the
final round even with a match to
spare, the Warriors fought bravely
and were on the verge of a famous
win before the Sunshine Stars of
Akure defender equalised.
Oboabona made up for the mistake
that led to the Namibia goal. He
curled home a free kick from 25
yards past the outstanding Namibia
goalkeeper after Nnamdi Oduamadi
was brought down around the goal
area.
Nigeria created more chances at
goal, but failed to take them.
The Eagles midfield of Mikel, Ogenyi
Onazi and Sunday Mba played out
their heart, while Cologne striker
Anthony Ujah justified his starting
role.
Deon Hoho Kavendji’s 77th minute
opener for the Namibians came
against run of play. Poor finishing
and uncoordinated play deep into
the Warriors half ensured that the
Eagles will struggle till the last day of
the qualifiers.
With the 1-1 draw result from
Windhoek, the Super Eagles are still
leading the group with nine points
while Malawi with seven points is on
the heels of the African champions.
Nigeria needs just a draw against
the Malawian in the last match in
September to book their passage to
the final round.
Elsewhere at the Kamuzu Stadium in
Blantyre, Malawi led twice only for
Kenya to get a last-minute reprieve
when Chimango Kayira scored an
own goal.
Striker Robin Ngalande put the
home team ahead a minute into the
second half on an artificial pitch and
midfielder Jamal Mohamed levelled
soon after.
A goal from veteran midfielder
Robert Ng'ambi 10 minutes before
time offered Malawi hope of a rare
home win only for substitute Kayira
to blunder.
The sole Malawi victory in five mini-
league qualifiers was away to
Namibia three months ago with all
three home games drawn.
Namibia hosted Nigeria just 48
hours after Sweden-born national
coach Roger Palmgren quit owing to
unspecified death threats against
him and his family.