By Daily Sports on September 22, 2017
Kano Pillars playmaker Rabiu Ali scored the winner for Nigeria as they edged Benin Republic 1-0 in the first semifinals to land in the 2017 Wafu Cup of Nations finals.
The match played at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana on Thursday saw the Nigerians took the lead in the 11th minute of the contest through Ali after Anthony Okpotu played him through on goal.
The experienced midfielder stayed composed to calmly put the ball beyond the Benin goalkeeper Steve Glodjinon.
Despite Gomez producing some of the best attacking moments for the Squirrels of Benin, Marcellin Koukpo made things worse when he was sent off for a second bookable offence and that handed the Nigerians the numerical advantage.
The Nigerians did not make the Beninoise pay for being a man down, rather it was the Squirrels who nearly levelled matters through Jules Elegbede on 52 minutes.
The game also had that one moment when Plateau United teammates, Peter Eneji (Nigeria) and Benin defender Salomon Junior had their individual battles and both men got booked for illegally stopping each other.
However Salomon did just enough to keep his team in the game when his goalline clearance deny substitute Gabriel Okechukwu from doubling the lead for Nigeria.
Nigeria will face hosts Ghana in the final of the Wafu Cup at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday. (Thenff.com)
•Photo shows Rabiu Ali.
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 22, 2017
You may also like...
Pickford Mistake Earns Leicester Point At Everton
Bale Not Ready To Hang Boots
Richarlison: Tottenham agree £60m deal to sign Everton...
Barcelona Leave Iy Late To Edge Past Elche...
Djokovic Spanks Nadal to Win Record Seventh Australian...
Ronaldo, Higuain On Target As Juve Sink Leverkusen...
Priestly Ordination: Igbawase Irotier Family Now Has A Priest
W’Cup: Nigeria’s wait continues as FIFA delays DR Congo verdict
Athletes protest as Ogun award N474m for NSF medallists
Ajagba eyes tougher fights after knocking Martin out
Eagles to face Jordan in March friendly
Senegal coach hails Falconets strength in W’Cup qualifier defeat
Chelle eyes foreign Eagles to strengthen Nigerian team
_3.jpg)
Nobody'll Stop Me From Contesting 2027 Election, Obi Vows -Even If It Holds in Their Bedroom -Assures Youths Of Accountability In Governance
FIFA Monday meeting to determine Eagles’ World Cup fate
Adesanya keen to prove GOAT status
Davis Cup: Ochei sparks Nigeria’s tennis revival
56 grassroots clubs battle for Taiwo Afolabi Cup
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,561 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,867 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,779 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,418 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,332 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,252 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,120 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,668 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,838 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,368 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,760 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,228 views)