Cote d’Ivoire 1- 0 Nigeria: Salomon Kalou cages Eagles in Abu Dhabi

Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire
in an international friendly
played at the Zayed Sports City
Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Sunday
evening.
An 83rd minute strike by
Salomon Kalou ensured the Elephants emerged victorious
as they continue preparations for their 2015 African Cup of
Nations outing in Equatorial Guinea.
The Elephants came into the game with the intention of
avenging their 2-1 defeat against the Super Eagles in the
quarter-final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and got
their wish as the punished Daniel Amokachi's men with
less than seven minutes to the close of the game following
a fleeting loss of concentration by Rabiu Ali.
Captained by the 2014 African player of the, Yaya, the
Elephants began the game on an impressive note as they
breeched the Nigerians' defence line twice in the opening
two minutes of the game.
Gervinho came close to giving Renard's men the lead after
two minutes but a well coordinated Eagles' defence
thwarted his efforts.
Nigeria's first chance came in the 11th minute as
Mohammed Gambo came one on one with the Ivorian
goalkeeper but failed to put the ball across the goal line.
The Elephants then swung into action as they held firm of
ball possession but could not get past the Eagles defence,
though goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim was impressive in goal
as he denied Gervinho again in the 27th minute with a
trademark save.
Even with the introduction of Gbolahan Salami in the
second half, Nigeria failed to get the goals as their final
touch in the attack was poor and often got cornerkicks as
consolation.
With less than seven minutes to the end of the game,
Kalou gave the Ivorians something to cheer about as he
slotted home from Tiote's cross after Ali had lost the ball
while trying to go flashy with the ball.
Nigeria's tour of United Arab Emirates will come to an end
with a game against Sudan on January 17, 2015.
Courtesy: www.goal.com
Broadcast by Obele Calistus