Dynamo Kiev’s striker Brown Ideye in the early hours of Thursday got his first international goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly tie against Venezuela in Miami, USA.
Nigeria over –came their Venezuelan counterparts 3-1 in their first Pre-African Cup of Nations friendly at the Marlin-Park in Miami, Florida.
The result will flatter the Nigerians as it was not a true reflection of the balance of the game.
Nigerian gaffer, Stephen Keshi in his starting list surprised all by opting to start with three-man attack handling Portland Timber’s Striker, Bright Dike (a replacement for Mikel Obi, who opted out of the game) his first international game alongside Obafemi Martins and Ideye.
Newcastle forward, Shola Ameobi also made his debut since being cleared by Fifa in 2011.
The Nigerian defence however had a troubled spell of having to deal with balls over the top from the South Americans.
On one of such occasions, centre back Chibuike Egwuekwe had to leave a trailing leg to keep out the Venzuelans from scoring.
Our defence was carved open several times, but Keeper and Skipper for the day Austin Ejide was quick off his line to make brave saves.
In the dying minutes of the first half, a real chance fell to Martins, who cushioned Elderson Echiejile’s cross but then hit it wide.
On resumption of the second half, at about 50 minutes, Nosa Igiebor played Solomon Kwambe into space on the right and his cross into the Venezuelan goal area found Idaye to tapped in his first goal for the Eagles.
Within three minutes later, and out of the blues, Igiebor’s long range effort from all of 40 yards flew past Hernandez (Venezuela Keeper) for Nigeria’s second goal.
Although the Venezuelan’s had Rondon’s effort at goal ruled out, they still managed to pull a goal back through substitute Frank Feltscher after capitalizing on Eagles defensive slumber.
Ameobi then held off Venezuela’s defence from the ball before squaring it into Onazi, who fired his first goal for his country to mark a second victory over Venezuela for the Nigerians.
The Super Eagles had defeated “La Vinotinto” by a goal in friendly, on July 26, 2003 with Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha scoring the winner.
Keshi and his team after the friendly are expected to later next month and early next year take on Angola, Cape Verde in warm up games in Faro Camp, Portugal before heading to South Africa for 2013 AFcon.
