Nigeria hammer Burkina Faso 4-1

The Super Eagles recorded a resounding 4-1 victory over the Stallions of Burkina Faso in a friendly match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Tuesday. Brown Ideye got Nigeria on their way to the win in the 17th minute after Obinna Nsofor’s through ball caused panic in the visitors defence. The Eagles continued to pile pressure on the visitors as John Ogu tested the Stallions goalkeeper in the 13th minute. Shola Ameobi, though playing as the lone man upfront, did well holding the ball up to bring Nsofor and Ideye into the game. In the 20th minute, an Elderson Echiejile cross was nearly converted by Ameobi but he was beaten to the ball by the Burkinabe goalkeeper. It was the turn of Nsofor as he dummied three defenders but was clattered from behind as he was about to pull the trigger. Burkina Faso also had a decent chance at goal but Austin Ejide was quick off the line to collect the cross. Nigeria edged ahead when Ogenyi Onazi dispossessed a Burkina Faso player in his half and fed Nsofor, who released Ideye to chip past the keeper in the 45th minute for the second goal. Burkina Faso nearly pulled one back in added time of the first-half, but finishing let them down. Ameobi, who was given a through ball by Nsofor, scored his first international goal for Nigeria in the 53rd minute. Sunday Mba’s introduction in the second-half for Ogu was the catalyst the Eagles needed to add more goals. His movement caused problems for the opponents. Emmanuel Emenike replaced Nsofor, and the Turkey-based striker scored Nigeria’s fourth in the 62nd minute. Stephen Keshi rang some changes that saw Uche Nwofor come on for Ameobi and Efe Ambrose replaced by Solomon Kwambe. Burkina Faso attacked in sprouts, but they did catch the Eagles napping as some comical defending allowed the visitors to get through and get their consolatory goal in the 78th minute. The game fizzled out as a contest as Nigeria knocked the ball round while Burkina Faso resulted to delay tactics to see out the game. Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, on February 10.