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”My boys have character” Stephen Keshi

Stephen Keshi says his team showed ”character and mentality” after Nigeria came back from three goals down in first 45 minutes to beat Morocco in a historic CHAN 2014 quarter-final encounter in Cape Town.

The Super boss said he told the players at half -time that they were showing too much respect to Morocco, and needed to impose their own game on the North Africans.

Keshi said the boys were hardworking and disciplined, adding that all he wanted was for them no to play under pressure, so they could enjoy their game.

Nigeria made history in African football as the Super Eagles staged the greatest come in the African Cup of Nations Championship after the team came back from three goals down at half to beat Morocco 4-3 in extra-time.

Soccer fans inside the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday would imagine that the encounter was over after the Atlas Lions scored three goals inside ten minutes and looked to have booked a semi-final ticket.

Morocco took the lead in the 33 minutes through Mohsine Moutaouali, who beautifully chipped the ball over Nigeria goalkeeper after receiving a lovely pass from the midfield.

Iajour doubled the lead four minutes later with a well-taken free kick  just outside the penalty box before El Ouadi teed up Moutaouali, who fired home the third, just three minutes after the second goal.

With three goals inside ten minutes, the game looked beyond the Super Eagles and Moroccan fans were already celebrating victory over their Nigerian counterparts as the centre referee signaled for the break

However, as would be expected by Nigerian fans inside the Cape Town Stadium, the Stephe Keshi tutored boys looked more energised and determined in the second half.

Their efforts paid off as the Nigerians pulled a goal back early in the half through Ugonna Uzochukwu.

Inspirational midfielder Rabiu Ali gave the Super Eagles hope just ten minutes after the first goal, when he reduced the deficit in the 56th minutes with a shot taken from outside the box.

Nigeria took control of the game from that moment and pilled more pressure on their Moroccan counterparts as the Eagles constantly harassed their opponents’ defense.

However, the team had to wait over half an our for their reward. Tournament revelation and arguably Nigeria’s best player in South Africa, Ejike Uzoenyi’s 90th minute cracking shot was all Nigeria needed to send the match into extra time.

Not relenting in their efforts to ensure victory, the Super Eagles scored their fourth goal through substitute Aliu Ibrahim, who jabbed in the winner after goalkeeper  Lamyarghri, in goal for Morocco fumbled the ball with 9 minutes to the end of the titanic encounter.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, who has consistently expressed confidence in the team made up of mainly domestic league players was mobbed by members of his technical crew in jubilation immediately after the final whistle.

The former Super Eagles captain had suspended his 52nd birthday celebration two days ago, saying ” until we accomplish our goal here”.

By Demola Aluko