Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 2-0 at The Valley in the opening game of this year’s Unity Cup to book a place in the final.
The Unity Cup opened with the first semi-final as both teams brought a variety of youth and experience to the match with players featuring from across Europe.
With vuvuzelas, drums, dancing, long shots, crunching tackles, and Nigerian rapper Rema playing at half-time, the semi-final had it all.
In Monday’s pre-match press conference Zimbabwe’s manager, Kaitano Tembo, spoke of the importance of this match to the South-East Londoner.
He said: “This is the first time we have been invited to come and play here in London, so we are very excited about it.”
Nigeria’s captain Francis Ozoho, in the same press conference, spoke with authority and confidence about the task ahead.
He said: “We are not intimidated by anybody – we are Nigerians and that is the most important thing.
“It’s an honour to captain the national team and makes me reflect on all my efforts and hard work in the past few years.”
The Super Eagles flew out of the blocks with early pressure that paid off with a thunderous outside of the box strike from Millwall’s Femi Azeez, on his Nigerian debut, to open the scoring.
The early pressure almost led to the second goal of the game in the 10th minute from Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi of New England but his effort was blocked in the box.
As the game progressed, so did the passing and the rhythm of the Warriors, with former Luton and Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba dictating play.
Zimbabwe’s strong response continued as Junior Zindoga’s header flicked on just wide of the far post, leaving Okonkwo stranded.
Jordan Zemura of Udinese slashed a shot wide of the left post on the 31st minute following good build up play by Zimbabwe who looked to have a goal in them in the first half with the Warriors looking positive in their play.
Zindoga would have another chance just before half-time but the striker couldn’t find his feet to level the scoring after good build-up play.
Whatever Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle told his players at half time, it most definitely paid off as the second-half was measured and controlled.
Azeez grabbed his brace on the 62 minute after Terem Moffi got in behind to square a low cross for the forward to tap it in infront of the Nigeria fans.
Along with being Azeez’s second goal, it was also Moffi’s second assist.
Jonah Fabisch led a fruitless attempt to salvage something from the match with a shot parried away with 20 minutes to go.
Ultimately, it was not enough as the Super Eagles ran away with the two goal win, booking themselves into Saturday’s final.
They will play the winners of tonight’s semi-final between tournament debutants India or last year’s beaten finalists Jamaica.
Chelle said: “This is my trophy I am not giving it up.”
They will play the final on Saturday evening.
Featured Image Credit: Alexandros Ioannides
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