Nigeria survived a poor first 26 minutes to qualify for their first-ever CHAN tourney after loosing 2-0 to Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday in Abidjan.
The Ivoriens took the lead after five minutes. Warri Wolves defender Azubuike Egwueke's howler freed young forward Kévin Zougoula, who had no hesitation beating Chigozie Agbim in goal for the Super Eagles.
It was a jittery beginning for the away side and they soon let-in the second goal 5 minutes to the half-hour mark. The menacing Zougoula was brought down by Kano Pillars playmaker Rabiu Ali in the 18-yard box. He stepped forward to score the second of the match.
Wing dazzler Cheick Moukoro who was busy tormenting the Eagles defence went close to making it three-nil but the upright saved the visitors on the hour mark.
Rabiu Ali who earned a 46th minute yellow card released a shot at the Ivorian goal in the 69th minute, but it was deflected for a corner by Sangare.
In the dying moments, captain Chigozie Agbim then denied ASEC Mimosas midfielder Hugues Zagbayou as he saved his powerful strike.
The Eagles then came close to pulling a goal back with a 25-metre free-kick but somehow it failed to hit target.
It was a relief to the visitors when the final whistle was sounded, as they played a poor game.
The Eagles won the first leg match 4-1 and qualified 4-3 on aggregate to the tournament proper to be hosted by South Africa next year.
Eagles Line Up
Chigozie Agbim (c), Solomon Kwambe, Francis Benjamin, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Oladapo Olufemi (Chibuzor Okonkwo 68'), Rabiu Ali, Sunday Mba, Gomo Onduku (Alhaji Gero 53'), Ede Ifeanyi, Etebo Oghenekaro
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