Yobo salvages point for Nigeria
Reuters - Sunday 05 June 2011, 20:19
ADDIS ABABA - A late Joseph Yobo header
allowed Nigeria to salvage a 2-2 draw with minnows Ethiopia on
Sunday, a result that could cost them a place in the next African
Nations Cup finals.
Nigeria arrived in Addis Ababa on the back of a 4-1 win
against Argentina in a friendly international last week, though
that result is being investigated by FIFA on suspicion of
match-fixing, and looked odds-on for another victory after
taking the lead mid-way through the first half from Ike Uche.
But Ethiopia's Saladin Said scored twice in quick succession
to give the Walya Antelopes a surprise lead.
Nigeria skipper Yobo snatched a vital point with just four
minutes remaining after he pounced on some slack defending to
head home an equaliser.
The result leaves Nigeria three points behind Group B
leaders Guinea, who beat bottom side Madagascar 4-1 on Sunday.
Nigeria's coach Samson Siasia blamed the Ethiopian capital's
high altitude and fatigue for his side's uninspired performance.
"The altitude was a big problem and fatigue as well, we
didn't rest that well," he told Reuters after the match.
"The journey was too much for us, it was seven hours."
FA officials in Lagos have been criticised at home for not
preparing well for the tie as the team arrived in Addis Ababa
just hours before kick-off time.