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The Super Eagles opened their 2013 Confederations Cup account with a 6-1 drubbing of Polynesian nation, Tahiti. Tahiti’s team of just one professional and a host of amateurs, ranked 138th in the world and were competing in their first ever major tournament. They however have a golden moment to celebrate when Jonathan Tehau headed in a goal from a corner kick set piece. Super Eagles wasted a lot of chances to make the score line look like a Rugby game. Nnamdi Oduamadi went home with the match ball, after netting a hat-trick in the game, the first for this tournament. Uwa Echiejile grabbed the first goal opening in a similar fashion to Spain’s opening goal against Uruguay on Sunday. Echiejile’s long range shot was deflected off Tahiti captain, into his own goal in the sixth minute. Nnamdi Oduamadi doubled the lead in the tenth minute before netting another goal sixteen minutes later. The Nigerians relaxed and the Tahitians took the game to them, scoring a goal in the second half from a Vahirua corner. Defender, Jonathan Tehau rose above Efe Ambrose to nod home at the back post, becoming the first player to score for Tahiti in a major event. The Tahitian team was delirious with the goal and performed their paddle celebration in honour of Tahiti’s national sport. Tehau was unfortunate when he became the first player to score at both ends in a Confederations Cup match when he diverted home Oduamadi’s cross to restore Nigeria’s three goal cushion. Uwa Echejile grabbed his second goal of the game before Nnamdi Oduamadi completed his hat-trick. Nigeria will play their next game on Thursday against South American champions, Uruguay while Tahiti will face a herculean task against World and European champions, Spain. Tahiti: 23 Samin – 04 Ludivion, 10 Vallar (Faatiarau – 54′), 19 Simon (Lemaire – 78′), 02 Tehau – 06 Caroine, 07 Bourebare, 16 Aitamai, 17 Tehau – 03 Vahirua (Atani – 69′), 13 Chong Hue Subs: 01 Roche, 22 Meriel, 05 Wagemann, 08 Faatiarau, 12 Lemaire, 14 Aroita, 20 Vero, 09 Tehau, 15 Tehau, 18 Tohoni, 21 Hnanyine, 11 Atani Nigeria: 01 Enyeama – 05 Amborse, 02 Obobona, 22 Omeruo Booked (Egwueke ’74), 03 Echiejile – 10 Mikel, 13 Ogude, 19 Mba (Ogu – 57′) – 07 Musa, 14 Ujah (Brown – 51′), 20 Oduamadi Subs: 16 Ejide, 23 Agbim, 06 Egwueke, 12 Kwambe, 21 Francis, 04 Ogu, 15 Babatunde, 17 Onazi, 18 Eze, 08 Brown, 09 Akpala, 11 Mohammed Ref: J Aguilar Att: 20,000

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This article was first published on 18th June 2013

arinzeude

Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.