The much anticipated 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match between Tanzania and Nigeria has come and gone.
The match was hugely anticipated by the Nigerian side as it was the first major game for the new Super Eagles’ Coach Sunday Oliseh who is expected to lift Nigeria off her recent woes in international football.
The match however ended in a disappointing draw for the Super Eagles who were expected to outperform the Tanzanians who were last in Group G behind Chad, as they had lost 3-0 in Egypt.
The Taifa Stars of Tanzania showed class in the game and looked the better side at the end, defiling predictions by holding Nigeria to a goalless draw.
But for the new Nigerian goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, the Tanzanians would have scored on several occasions. The shot stopper made an amazing save in the 67th minute when he denied Thomas Ulimwengu with a long stretch before scrambling to Mrisho Ngassa’s follow-up which went by the post.
Ikeme made his debut for the Super Eagles following Vincent Enyeama’s last minute withdrawal from the game citing his mother’s death.
Nigerian Coach, Sunday Oliseh, at the end of the game expressed optimism that his team would get better in subsequent games.
Nigeria Starting Line Up:
1 Carl Ikeme
2 Solomon Kwambe
3 Kingsley Madu
4 Obiora Nwankwo
5 Kenneth Omeruo
6 William Stroot-Ekong
7 Ahmed Musa
8 Izunna Uzochukwu
9 Emmanuel Emenike
10 Haruna Lukman
11 Moses Simon
Substitutes: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Rabiu Ibarim ,Emem Eduok,Anthony Ujah, Chima Akas, Slyvester Igboun, Godfrey Oboabona.
Tanzania starting Starting Line Up:
1. Ally Mustafa – 1
2. Shomari Kapombe – 2
3. Haji Mwinyi – 3
4. Nadir Haroub ” Cannavaro” – C – 23
5 Kelvin Yondani – 5
6. Himid Mao – 7
7. Thomas Ulimwengu – 11
8. Mudathir Yahya – 16
9. Mbwana Samatta – 10
10. Mrisho Ngasa – 17
11. Farid Musa – 9
Substitutes: Said Mohamed – 18, Hassan Isihaka – 15, Mohamed Hussein – 6, Said Hamis – 8. Deus Kaseke – 4, Saimon Msuva – 12, John Bocco – 14
