Quick Report: Nigeria (w)0-0 Zambia

January 26, 2010

Nigeria are through to the semi finals of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 5-4 win on penalties against Zambia. No goals were scored in regular or extra time.

The first chance fell the way of Nigeria in the 15th minute when Dickson Etuhu fired a drive from the top of the area, but Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Mweene then stopped another long drive on the half hour when Jon Obi Mikel’s powerful effort was nicely denied from 30 yards away.

But the best chance of the first half fell to Zambia with just 90 seconds to play in the opening period. Emmanuel Mbola crossed in low from the left side, but James Chamanga scuffed his first-time shot well wide of the first post with a lot of the goal to shoot at.

Zambia then nearly went in front in the 66th minute when Hichani Himoonde’s shot off a corner kick was cleared off the line by Mohamed Yusuf.

The best chance for Zambia came in the final minute of normal time when a corner kick by Felix Matongo found the head of Emmanuel Mayuka, but the substitute’s header went just narrowly over the top of Vincent Enyeama’s goal.

Extra time went by without goals, and a penalty shoot-out was required to determine which of the two teams would advance to the semi finals.

Apam Onyekachi of Nigeria could not take part in that shoot-out after conceding a second yellow card in the 107th minute.

After three converted penalties from each side, Zambia’s Thomas Nyirenda had his attempt saved by keeper Enyeama. The keeper himself went on to take his team’s final spot kick to take Nigeria to a semi final encounter with Egypt.

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