A late double from Emmanuel Emenike saw Nigeria Super Eagles inflict a 2-1 defeat on Ethiopia in the 2014 World Cup playoffs at the Addis Ababa stadium on Sunday.
The African champions came back from a goal deficit to give themselves a maximum three point in the first leg to qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

The home side took the lead as Asafa scored the first goal for his Ethiopia, but a brace from Emmanuel Emenike in the 2nd half, and also the second a penalty, ensured that the Nigerians left Addis Ababa with all three points.

The first half started with the Ethiopians on the front foot with their fans howling and making a terrific atmosphere. And it took just two minutes for the Eagles to concede a corner kick that was quickly followed by another one.

Nnamdi Oduamadi then missed the first gilt-edged chance when he miss-kicked Emenike’s cross. Ethiopia then went forward and Saledine Saif thought he had scored but Godfrey Oboabona made a fantastic clearance to keep the match at 0-0.

And then the Ethiopians scored  Enyeama miss-judged a cross by Assefa and the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line before the Nigerian goalkeeper claimed it in the 57th minute.

Keshi introduced  introduced Nosa Igiebor for Nnamdi Oduamadi in the 63rd minute .

Nigeria should have equalised in the 62nd minute when Moses went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the Ethiopian goalkeeper did well to save at the feet of Moses. Coach Stephen Keshi withdrew Moses for Brown Ideye.

And then in the 67th minute, Emenike equalized with a thunderbolt from outside the box and then the Nigerians went on the offensive.

Musa hit the post in the 77th minute off a terrific pass by Mikel. Oboabona made another great clearance in the 83rd minute.

Nigeria went ahead for the first time in the encounter in the 88th minute when Emenike was dragged down in the box for a clear penalty. The Fenerbahce player dusted dispatched the penalty to give the Super Eagles the victory and a leg in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The second leg will be held in Calabar on October 16 at the U.J Esuene Stadium..

Meanwhile President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles for picking up a valuable away win in Ethiopia.

In a tweet by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati (@abati1990), the president “thanks the Super Eagles for doing Nigeria proud” congratulating “them on their victory against Ethiopia today”.