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Ethiopia national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 29, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Nigeria national football team

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Live Commentary: Ethiopia 0-2 Nigeria - as it happened

Live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
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Two penalties from Victor Moses ensured that Nigeria will play in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria had started the game well, but neither side looked like scoring for much of the game.

Midfielder Addis Hintsa had to take Sisay Bancha's place in goal when the Ethiopia keeper was sent off with 10 minutes to play.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon, it's less than half an hour until the final games in Group C get underway, with all four nations in the group able to make the knock-out stages.

A win for Nigeria will ensure that they progress from the group, but a draw will be enough if Zambia lose to Burkina Faso. Ethiopia need to win today and hope for a Burkina Faso win, but the group leaders will only need a point from their game against the reigning champions.

Let's take a look at the starting lineups for today's game...

ETHIOPIA STARTING XI: Bancha, Debebe, Butaco, Girma, Elias, Estifanos, Saleh, Hintsa, Seid, Kebede, Oukri.

NIGERIA STARTING XI: Enyeama, Echiejile, Ambrose, Obobona, Omeruo, Mikel, Ogude, Emenike, Moses, Uche, Mbah

Nigeria have named the Chelsea duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses in their starting lineup, while former Everton defender Joseph Yobo is on the bench.

Sisay Bancha comes in for Ethiopia. He will be their third difference goalkeeper of the tournament, with Jemal Tassew seeing red in their opener against Zambia, while Zerihun Tadelle leaked four goals against Burkina Faso.

If you're wanting to follow both matches in Group C, you can follow live commentary of the game between Burkina Faso and Zambia too

Ahead of this game, Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has said: "Before the match I will tell my players to play football and to gain experience out of a huge team like Nigeria.

"We are here to play football and everybody is surprised by our football. Our mission is to show the rest of the world that we can play football. That is the message to my players."


His opposite number, Stephen Keshi, said: "I am standing by my players, especially John Obi Mikel after his penalty miss against Zambia.

"We have all to play for against Ethiopia and my wish is that we build a commanding lead and hold it."


Ethiopia fans will be relieved to see that Adane Girma has been included in today's team. The striker, who has scored their only goal so far in this tournament, picked up a leg injury in their last match, but has recovered in time.

The teams are in the tunnel and heading out to the pitch, ready for the anthems before kickoff.

It's a fairly modest crowd at Rustenburg. Once again it is Ethiopian fans that dominate the crowd, the Black Lions have enjoyed a good level of support in both of their previous games.

It's 25 years since Nigeria finished their group campaign with a loss, which bodes well for the team. The anthems are over and the players are lining up ready for kickoff.

These two last played in the qualifiers for last year's tournament, drawing 2-2.

Nigeria kick off the first half.

Victor Moses has started brightly, tearing down the wing and looking to get a cross in early on, but Degu Debebe is on hand to force the ball out.

CHANCE! Moses is looking sharp again, this time finding Efe Ambrose inside the box, but his header flies high.

Nigeria are awarded a free kick around 20 yards out following a two-footed tackle from Addis Hintsa. The Ethiopian is lucky not to be shown a card for the incident. The free kick is taken by Moses, and takes a slight deflection off the wall, providing a comfortably save for Bancha.

It's been all Nigeria in these opening minutes, they've hardly allowed Ethiopia a pass! In their previous matches, Ethiopia have been quick out of the blocks, but Nigeria aren't allowing them to find their rhythm here.

Ethiopia head towards the Nigeria goal for the first time, but a pass to Saladin Seid has too much power behind it, and the most expensive player ever to come from the country can't control it before it goes out for a goal kick.

Ethiopia win their first corner of the match, but they don't get enough players forward, and there's no-one there to get on the end of the cross, resulting in an easy clearance for Nigeria.

Nigeria look to be back in control as they edge towards the Ethiopia goal again. However, Moses is well marked, and loses the ball, allowing Ethiopia to go on the counter attack, but they're unable to create a shot at the end of the move.

Echiejile concedes a free kick for bringing down Kebede. The kick if deflected by the wall, just missing the head of Debebe to go out for a corner. Seid gets a header off the corner, but it goes well high of the crossbar.

Mikel slots the ball in to Echiejile, who tries to cross towards goal, but his pass lacks accuracy and finds an Ethiopian defender, who clears the ball.

Nigeria are on the attack again. This time the ball is meant for Victor Moses, but there's too much pace on it, and the Chelsea man can't stop it before it goes behind for a goal kick.

BOOKING! Biyadiglign Eliase is the first player to be shown a yellow card. Addis Hintsa hacked down Emmanuel Emenike and the referee blows for a free kick. Eliase must have said something to the official, because it's him who gets the booking.

Omed Okwuri looks to get a cross in in front of the Nigeria goal, but it's put behind for a corner. Debebe gets nearest to it, but ultimately Nigeria make the clearance.

There's been some good play from both sides so far in this match, but neither are yet really trouble either keeper. With the other game in the group also goalless, this result would see both nations knocked out of the tournament.

Ethiopia have created a few good chances, but Nigeria continue to see the majority of the ball, with 68% of the possession so far.

Both teams look like they're trying to force a goal a bit too much at the moment. Nigeria tried a long ball to Uche, which was easily taken by Bancha, before Ethiopia tried almost the exact same move, with the same result. There's little play in midfield at the minute.

Ethiopia's fans seem the more happy at the minute, they know that they need a favour from Burkina Faso to ensure their progression so just look to be there to have fun. Meanwhile, Nigeria's fans look tense, as a win would be enough to send them through as things stand.

Neither side look particularly like scoring at the moment, the play is flowing from one end of the pitch to the other, but neither seem able to control the ball as it enters the final third.

CHANCE! Nigeria win a corner. Moses takes and finds Echiejile, who jumps high to get a strong header on target, forcing a save good from Bancha. That's the first chance we've seen in this game for a little while.

That chance seems to have lifted Nigeria a little, they close in on the Ethiopia penalty area again and force another corner, but Moses' delivery is long, failing to find any of his teammates.

Ethiopia put the ball out for a throw-in. Echiejile takes the throw, and gets good distance on the ball, but Bancha comes to make the catch, and launches Ethiopia on the counter attack.

Echiejile slides the ball in to Moses on the edge of the area, but the Chelsea striker has to stretch to make the shot, which lacks power, and is easily dealt with by Bancha.

CHANCE! Seid gets the ball out wide and breaks in to the box, forcing Enyeama in to action for the first time in this game. That has to have been one of the best chances of this half.

A nasty tackle on Jon Obi Mikel gives Nigeria a free kick just outside the area. Moses lines up the ball, but fires the ball straight in to the wall, and it's an easy clearance for Ethiopia.

Emenike is brought down in the same area that Mikel was just moments earlier. Some clumsy stuff from Ethiopia as the end of the first half approaches.

Nigeria are finishing this half strongly, but don't really look like scoring.

HALF-TIME: Ethiopia 0-0 Nigeria

Nigeria will be the most disappointed at the break. Both sides had chances to take the lead but the quality of finishing was a bit lacking. The keepers each only had to make one good save during the opening 45 minutes.

That said, it was Ethiopia who had the best chance of the first half, Saladin Seid seeing his effort superbly stopped by the Nigeria keeper. Seid has been one of Ethiopia's brightest players all tournament, but has yet to find the back of the net.

Both sides will need to improve their performance in the final third if they're to make it to the quarter-finals. Nigeria have had the majority of the possession, and will be looking to build on that, while Ethiopia have looked dangerous every time they get the ball, but have not seen enough of it.

Ethiopia get the second half underway.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Ethiopia have started the second half with two changes. Estifanos has been replaced by Tashinos and Okwuri has gone off, with Ibrahim coming on.

Nigeria have started the half by dominating the possession again, but as with the first half, they don't seem to be pressing towards the goal with any real urgency.

Omeruo has to make a good challenge in the area as Seid is looking dangerous for Ethiopia, but the Nigerian defender's tackle stops him getting the effort away.

Ethiopia seem to have started the half with more energy and pace, possibly helped by the double substitution. Nigeria may be looking to their bench sooner rather than later.

Nigeria have upped their tempo a little in the last couple of minutes, forcing a pair of corners. However, Ethiopia are well organised at the back, and Nigeria get nothing from either attempt.

Ethiopia win a corner, but Bancha comes off his line to confidently take the ball. The Ethiopia keeper hasn't had a great workload, but he's looked solid when called upon.

Seid charges towards the box, looking for Ibrahim, but Omeruo is there to make a block for Nigeria.

Neither side are keeping possession particularly well at the minute, long-ranging loose passes from both teams allowing their opponents to easily take the ball away.

BOOKING! Sunday Mba is shown a yellow for a messy sliding challenge. The booking means Zambia will progress as their players have been booked two fewer times.

BOOKING! Fegor Ogude joins Mba in the book for a clumsy challenge. With the yellow cards racking up, Nigeria really do need to get the win here if they don't want to be going home.

CHANCE! A good run from Echiejile sets up Emenike, but his shot is deflected over. Moses corner is headed towards the Ethiopia goal, but it's blocked on the line. Mba regains the ball on the edge of the box and blasts the ball in, Bancha parries the ball forward, before managing to fall on it and stop the attack. A good passage of play from Nigeria.

SUBSTITUTION! Ikechukwa Uche has gone off, Ahmed Musa coming on in his place.

SUBSTITUTION! Ethiopia have made their third of final change, Yussuf Sale being replaced by Birhanu Bogale.

A deep ball from Ethiopia looks to find Seid in the box, but it's too high, and goes out for a goal kick. Both teams have relied on long balls in to the box far too much during this game.

Still neither side seems able to take charge of this game. As we head towards the final 15 minutes, surely they'll up the urgency, knowing a single goal could be enough.

SUBSTITUTION! Emmanuel Emenike goes off for Ideye Brown. Emenike has not caused a great deal of concern for Ethiopia's back four.

Oboabona looks to have done himself an injury with an acrobatic clearance, which resulted in an awkward looking landing. It looks like he's ok though, just a little shaken.

PENALTY! Victor Moses is brought down by Alula Girma.

GOAL! Ethiopia 0-1 Nigeria (Moses)

Cool as you like from the Chelsea striker, he casually strolls up to the ball, completely wrong-footing Bancha and slides the ball in. At the moment, that would be enough to send Nigeria through.

CHANCE! Ethiopia respond immediately, Saladin Seid forcing a save from Enyeama as Nigeria are caught napping. It doesn't look like Ethiopia are ready to let this go.

BOOKING! Sisay Bancha is booked for reacting badly to Nigeria being awarded a free kick on the edge of the box

CHANCE! Nigeria almost make it two, Brown forcing a save from Bancha, before Moses and Mba get in each others way with the follow up.

Ethiopia win a free kick on the edge of the box. Enyeama punches the ball away.

RED CARD! Sisay Bancha is dismissed for bringing Victor Moses down in the box. Nigeria will have another penalty, and Ethiopia don't have any substitutions left.

Addis Hintsa is taking Bancha's place in goal. Bancha is the second Ethiopia keeper to be sent off during this tournament.

There's a bit of a delay while Hintsa gets kitted out with a keeper's shirt. The officials are making Ethiopia fashion Hintsa's squad number out of tape. Does it really matter?!

GOAL! Ethiopia 0-2 Nigeria (Moses)

It's another super-cool penalty from Victor Moses. In fairness to Hintsa, he did get close to the ball, but just didn't get low enough in time to get his hands behind it. That will surely take Nigeria through to the quarter-finals.

There are seven minutes of stoppage time, mostly due to Hintsa's shirt change.

SUBSTITUTION! Nigeria have made their final change, John Obi Mikel making way for Joseph Yobo.

Ethiopia are pushing up the pitch, but Nigeria have plenty of players behind the ball. It will take an impressive effort to breach the Nigeria defence at this stage.

Nigeria are taking a very physical approach to the end of this game. They seem happy to concede a few free kicks in order to stop Ethiopia making a run.

FULL-TIME: Ethiopia 0-2 Nigeria

It was discipline that separated the two teams in the end, as Ethiopia conceded a brace of penalties, both of which were put away by Chelsea's Victor Moses.

Neither side played their best football this evening, but the win is enough to ensure that Nigeria will progress to the quarter-finals, along with Burkina Faso as their game finished goalless.

Well that's all from the Africa Cup of Nations this evening. Join us again tomorrow for the final games in Group D, as Algeria face Ivory Coast and Togo take on Tunisia. Until then, thanks for joining us.

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Zambia's Chisamba Lungu is challenged by Ethiopia's Adane Girma during their teams match at the African Cup of Nations on January 21, 2013
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212


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