Morocco 3-4 Nigeria (AET): Amazing Eagles fly past Atlas Lions The Super Eagles went three goals down, woke from their slumber and tamed the Atlas Lions after extra-time to grab CHAN semi-final ticket By JUSTICE VERA Jan 25, 2014 6:34:00 PM

Nigeria have secured a place in the semi-final of the African Nations
Championship after beating Morocco 4-3 after extra-time in the
quarter-final match played at the Cape Town Stadium.
A first half brace from Mohsine Moutaouali and a goal from Iajour
Mouhssine ensured Hassan Benabicha's side got a three-goal lead in the
first half of the tension soaked encounter but the second half saw
goals from Ugonna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali and Ejike Uzoenyi on the dot of
90 minutes ensured the game proceeded into extra-time.
However, it was Abubakar Ibrahim's strike in the second half extra
time that made the difference for Stephen Keshi's side in the
seven-goal thriller.
The Super Eagles mounted pressure on the Moroccan defence in the early
minutes of the match which saw them play three corners in the opening
ten minutes.
Azubuike Egwueke failed to give Nigeria the lead in the 11th minute
when his header off Uzoenyi's cross went over the Atlas Lions' cross
bar. Nevertheless, Keshi's men continued to dominate but lacked the
cutting edge when it came to finding the back of the net.
Morocco's first chance came off Iajour's simple tap from a well
tailored pass received from the midfield after the Eagles lost
possession in the middle.
Minutes later, Uzoenyi produced a fine pass to set Gbolahan Salami
free down the flank, with the latter supplying a dangerous low ball
into the box, allowing Rabiu Ali to fire a tame shot at Nadir
Lamyaghrf in the best of the opening exchanges.
Moutaoualislotted home Morocco's opener with a classy finish in the
33rd minute after he received a pass from Fatah Said.Iajourscored the
second off a swerving free kick outside Nigeria's defence after
Mouhssine was pushed off the ball by Bright Esieme.
Stephen Keshi's side rallied following that setback. First, Salami
fired a testing effort at Nadir which the Morocco keeper smartly
tipped over the bar, before Rabiu Ali's long range missile that went
over the cross bar.
Moutaoualigot his brace in the 40th minute following another clever
pass from Mouhssine who had a stupendous afternoon.
On resumption of the second half, Nigeria took charge of the game and
posed a few problems for the Atlas Lions, and deservedly got their
first throughUzochukwu– beforeAligot Nigeria's second six minutes
later.
There continued to be chances at both ends. Mohammed Oulha picked up a
loose ball from distance before striking on the half volley from 25
yards, only to see Egwuekwe turn it behind. Nigeria then had a shout
for a penalty after the ball bounced up on Hachim , but referee
Bernard Camille thought otherwise.
The Super Eagles grew in confidence and equalised on 90 minutes
throughUzoenyi's rocket outside the Atlas Lions' defence which saw the
game move into extra time.
While it seemed the game would head for a penalty shoot-out, in second
half extra time,Ibrahimpounced to give Nigeria the winner after
Morocco goalkeeper and captain, Nadir Lamyaghri spilled an easy ball
off Uzoenyi's cross.
Nigeria will now wait for the winner between Ghana and DR Congo in
Sunday's quarter final game.