As Nigeria's Football Dies Slowly, a World Cup Berth Hangs in the Balance

Detare, RWANDA -- Nigeria eked out another 1-1 tie in a World Cup qualifying match in Rwanda against host team Zimbabwe. Nigeria, after a shocking tie at home against lowly ranked Lesotho, a few days prior, hoped to revive a World Cup berth but the Zimbabweans resisted. In the end a 1-1 was a fair result but Nigeria appeared to be slightly the better side but continued to have monumental challenges making the cutting edge pass against a low block.

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Nigeria had opened up with dominant possession in the first 10 minutes but no real chances. However, it appeared that the team, with several changes in the starting lineup had readied to make amend after a poor start at home. However, that lasted only for 10 minutes as Zimbabwe took over with some crisp passes with Nigeria suddenly appearing challenged for pace.  After 26 minutes, Zimbabwe was ahead from a set piece that was taken almost 30 yards out . It was struck perfectly and an outstretched Francis Uzoho failed to reach it as the 500 mostly Zimbabwean fans danced in celebration on the stands that overlook the Astroturf grounds where the ball bounced speedily making jt difficult for the athletes to control it,

Down 0-1, Nigeria faced implosion and it unraveled several times on the field as players went after team mates in frustration, passes went astray, and the manager was clearly frustrated and furious on the sidelines. A team crammed with vaunted European professionals was suddenly coming apart at the seams.

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Nigeria faced implosion and it unraveled several times on the field as players went after team mates in frustration, passes went astray, and the manager was clearly frustrated and furious on the sidelines. A team crammed with vaunted European professionals was suddenly coming apart at the seams.

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To Peseiro's credit and whatever is left of it, he made three substitutions at the beginning of the second half and it paid off. In came Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Osayi-Samuel. They  helped switch the ascendancy in Nigeria's favor. Iheanacho, particularly, was business-like and appeared incensed as he directed affairs. In the 53rd minute, Nigeria earned a sudden and controversial indirect kick deep inside the opponents box after goalie Donovan infringed the rules. The eagle-eye official spotted the moment when everyone else seemed at sea. An on-edge Iheanacho exploded in a verbal tit-tat with Boniface as both had to be separated. Eventually, it was Boniface who passed the ball beyond the wall to an open Aribo who was barely three yards from the goal but his tame attempt was scurried off the line.

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Iheanacho, particularly, was business-like and appeared incensed as he directed affairs. . .....An on-edge Iheanacho exploded in a verbal tit-tat with Boniface as both had to be separated. 

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It seemed, Nigeria was headed for another dreadful result. However, Iheanacho rescued the team in the 67th minute as he coolly struck the ball low and beyond Donovan after a back pass from Simon who had expertly controlled an Aribo volley in the box.

That was the game. The only action worthy of note thereafter was substitute Collins clumsy foul in the 86th minute as he grabbed a Zimbabwean that broke past him and towards goal. Zimbabweans, some with their hands o their heads in disbelief argued for the disqualification given that it appeared to be a breakaway infraction. Nevertheless, the referee stuck to his decision and the resulting free kick came off the wall with Uzoho's blushes spared. 

LINE-UP: Francis Uzoho (23) -- Ola Aina (2) (46th Osayi-Samuel (5)), Semi Ajayi (5), Calvin Bassey (17) 45, Bruno Onyeamaechi (21) (84th Jamilu Collins (3) 86) -- Frank Onyeka (8) (46th Kelechi Iheanacho (14)), Alex Iwobi (18) -- Nathan Tella (11) (46th Victor Boniface (13)), Joseph Aribo (10), Moses Simon (15) --  Terem Moffi (9) (76th Umar Sadiq (19)). 

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