ALTIDORE BRACE SINKS SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA

Jozy Altidore scored his first goals in 2014 as he found the net twice in

USA’s 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in an international friendly played at

Jacksonville on Saturday.

The Sunderland striker first took advantage of a dozy Eagles central defence

to tap-in from close range, and then turned Joseph Yobo inside out before

rifling in a second, while Victor Moses scored a late penalty for Nigeria.

Closed down

But it was the Eagles that started a bit better when a clever move by the

Eagles gave Shola Ameobi a sight of goal on eight minutes, but he was

quickly closed down.

The game then ding-donged with both teams creating only half chances,

until the 33rd minute when the Eagles defence was carved open from the left

and Altidore tapped in from three yards to give the USA a 1-0 lead.

Ogenyi Onazi got a clear view of goal on 42 minutes, but his fierce shot was

easily smothered Howard in the USA goal

Space

When the second half got underway, Stephen Keshi threw on Gabriel Reuben

in for Mikel and Odemwingie was pulled off for Michael Babatunde. And in

the 63rd minute, Emenike stepped on for Ameobi.

He had barely settled into the game when Dempsey ran into space and into

Nigeria’s box, cuts inside of Yobo and shoots low into the corner, but

Enyeama goes down well to save.

Trick

Four minutes later, Altidore repeats the trick after latching onto a lofted pass

from Michael Bradley, this time, he finds the net. 2-0 USA.

The Eagles got a late face saver when Victor Moses was hauled down in the

US box, he rose to put away the resultant penalty to make it 2-1.

ALTIDORE BRACE SINKS SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA