Nigeria came away from Liberia with a 2-2 draw in front of a frenzied crowd in Monrovia.
Efe Ambrose had to settle for a place on the bench with coach Stephen Keshi preferring Nosa Igiebor to replace Gabriel Ruben in midfield.
The build up to the match was certainly charged with politicians from both countries putting pressure on their team to secure victory.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf gave her full backing to ‘Operation Crush Nigeria’ with a US $150,000 bonus offered to the players and free entry to the stadium in order to whip up the home fans.
Omega Roberts put Liberia into the lead in the seventh minute but with the return leg in Nigeria next month the once Super Eagles will be strong favourites to qualify for the 2013 finals of the African Cup of Nations to be staged in South Africa.
Nigeria equalised nine minutes later through Nosa Igiebor of Real Betis then took the lead through an Ike Uche penalty but Roberts equalised for the home side midway through the second half.
The build up to the match brought a visit from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Nigeria camp saying: “Let me encourage you that we will do our best for you and provide all you need. I will personally like to be in South Africa to watch the final match of the competition but for that to be a possibility, you must qualify for the tournament.
“I am very sure you will win in Liberia and I want to congratulate you in advance for the victory!”
Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi replied promising: “Your visit, Mr President, is a big morale booster for us. Your presence here at our training ground is more than money for us. We will take this with us to Liberia and by God’s grace, we will do Nigeria proud.”
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its just like an old firm build up but with less profanity!
True. A little Offerf cash! Only it usuallly went to refs and was held back from teams who thought they’d sold a player!
Am I right to be disappointed that he wasn’t playing?
I think he’s still breaking into the squad as he’s still pretty young… To be fair the Nigeria squad have a reasonable defence for him to displace but not many play in bigger give or take one or two… Think Yobo is in turkey with Fenerbache and a guy that plays for Braga… Maybe now is his time to stake a place…