DESPITE the absence of Nigeria's Super Eagles in the o-going Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, a Nigerian, Chigozirim (God has blessed me) who provided the pass for the million dollar goal against Libya has become a hero overnight.
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The Nigerian who came in as a substitute laid the excellent pass for former Real Madrid player Javier Balbo who scored a dramatic late winner when curling home with three minutes left.
Chigozirim plays for Equatorial Guinea And Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi who is doing a pundit's job celebrated endlessly. "I'm so happy that a Nigerian made the difference even though the Eagles are not here. It is painful but a Nigerian has made the difference", Keshi said. The result means the Equatorial Guinea squad will receive one million dollars from President Obiang Nguema's son.
$20,000 was also promised for any goal scored. The National Lightning thought they had scored early on only for Ivan Bolado's shot to be ruled out for offside. In an extraordinary sequence of events in the 16th minute, the co-hosts had the ball in the Libyan net on two occasions in the space of a few seconds only to not be awarded a goal.
After captain Juvenal's deflected shot came back off the post, goalkeeper Samir Aboud made a meal of Ivan Bolado's effort as the Libya captain let the ball squirm under his body and over the line.
Officials ruled out the strike for offside however after Thierry Fidjeu was adjudged to be interfering with play – with the drama magnified by the net bulging as a scrambled clearance rebounded into the net.