Tanzania 0-0 Nigeria: Ikeme's heroics rescues point for Oliseh's Eagles

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars produced a stunning second half performance but failed to do enough to stun three-time African champions, Nigeria on match day two of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying.

Saturday’s game at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam which finished 0-0 was Sunday Oliseh’s first after he replaced former coach, Stephen Keshi and he opted to hand 29-year-old goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme his competitive debut in place of Vincent Enyeama who asked to be excused from the tie following the death of his mother.

It turned out to be a master stroke as the Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper made no less than six stunning saves to prevent the Eagles from suffering a humiliating defeat.

FSV Mainz defender, Leon Balogun failed to recover from an ankle injury and was subsequently replaced by Solomon Kwambe.

William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Kinglsley Madu were the other defenders handed starts against the Taifa Stars.

Obiora Nwankwo started ahead of the back four while Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Emmanuel Emenike started in more advanced positions ahead of midfielders, Izunna Uzochukwu and Lukman Haruna.

Nigeria threatened early on through Simon on the left but he was fouled as he raced past a defender and honed in on goal.

He took the subsequent free kick himself but Emenike headed wildly from four yards.

The hosts then took control and Carl Ikeme had to be at his brilliant best in the 13th and 22nd minutes to keep the score line even.

His first save off an Mbwana Samata effort was particularly impressive as the Taifa Stars continued to show they were anything but intimidated by the storied credentials of their opponents.

The Super Eagles looked sluggish and lacking in co-ordination and Oliseh responded by substituting Haruna after just 35 minutes with striker, Sylvester Igboun taking the Anzhi man’s place and earning his debut as a result.

The hosts however continued to create the more dangerous openings with TP Mazembe man, Thomas Ulimwengu particularly outstanding.

Ahmed Musa’s free kick from range in the 24th minute represented Nigeria’s only effort on target in the half and the visitors knew they were lucky to still be on level terms at the break.

The Super Eagles started on the front foot in the second half and Emenike threatened from range in the 48th minute.

Musa’s pace continued to cause the hosts problems down the right hand channel and he burst through on 57 minutes only to be let down by an atrocious final touch.

Tanzania should have scored on the hour but Ikeme produced a save that defied logic to deny Ulimwengu from point blank range.

Oliseh responded by throwing on Werder Bremen attacker, Anthony Ujah for the tiring Emenike as Nigeria looked to rev the engine.

It was the Taifa Stars that however came close to scoring the game’s first goal through Mrisho Ngassa, five minutes later but he managed to head wide when left unmarked from five yards.

Ulimwengu almost scored two minutes after Ngassa’s shocking miss but his low angled drive was impressively kept out by the exemplary Ikeme.

The Tanzanians dominated the rest of the half but were left to contemplace what might have been largely due to the brilliance of Ikeme.

The point means Nigeria are still undefeated after the first two rounds of matches and now leapfrog Egypt as the new leaders of Group G.

The Super Eagles have now amassed four points following their 2-0 win over Chad on match day one.

RE-LIVE THE ACTION

• Thanks for hanging out with me for this live text commentary, do have a nice evening. Signing out, Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade)
• 90' + 4'

  The referee brings this encounter to an end, 0-0 it ends here. It's only the third time that the Taifa Stars have taken points off Nigeria.
• 90' + 3'

  Another save by Carl Ikeme to deny Tanzania off a cross into the NIgeria box. The Super Eagles don't seem to miss their captain Vincent Enyeama with the performance of the Wolverhampton Wanderers' goalkeeper today.
• 88'

  It seems we will not see a goal here in Dar es Salaam. The Taifa Stars have looked the better side but unable to make their chances count.
• 84'

  Emem Eduok is blocked by the goalkeeper but Mustapha is left at seas outside his box as the Nigerians tried to capitalize but the Taifa Stars close up to clear the danger.
• 81'

  Substitution for Tanzania: Farid Musa out, Saimon Msuva in
• 77'

  Nigeria go forward, Eduook crosses into the box but Ujah's header goes wide as he received a knock on the head. He gets up after the referee comes to check on him
• 74'

  The Taifa Stars are dominating midfield play once more and you can hear the roar from the fans, willing them on to slay this giant that lies sluggish in front of them.
• 69'

  Nigeria make their final substitution: Moses Simon off, Emem Eduok on.
• 67'

  SAVED! Carl Ikeme stretches a long hand to keep out Thomas Ulimwengu. Massive strike, big save! Nigeria survive once again, but for how long?
• 64'

  MISSED! Ngasa, free in the box, heads wide! What a missed opportunity for the Taifa Stars
• 61'

  Substitution for Tanzania: Mudathir Yahya off, Said Homis on. Nigeria take off Emenike for Anthony Ujah, like for like.
• 59'

  CHANCE! William Troost-Ekong loses a challenge and the Taifa Stars' forwards poured into the box but see their shot closed down for a corner kick. A big let off for the Eagles.
• 58'

  WIDE Musa beats two defenders, pushed wide, he shoots far wide of the goal. His influence in this half has grown.
• 56'

  The first booking of the game is handed to Kelvin Yondani for bringing down Emenike who was attempting to make a dash. Nigeria win a free kick which Kwambe sends in but is headed clear by a Tanzania defender
• 53'

  A Taifa Stars midfielder walks off after injuring his arm. We'll see if he comes back on soon.
• 51'

  Strong run down the left by Musa to beat his marker but his cross into the box is comfortably saved by that man, Mustapha.
• 49'

  Another Nigeria free kick nicely floated in but caught mid-air by Mustapha. The Tanzanians have not come back the way they left off from the first half as they're now conceding fouls in their half.
• 47'

  Emenike takes a long range shot, after a short free kick but, but it goes wide.
• 46'

  Welcome back to the second half, Tanzania kick off as we all expect goals in this period. Lots of banter on social media, the fans wants goals: "All we are saying, give us goals," I can hear them singing.
• That was a swift end to a game that was already becoming tantalising. I've enjoyed seeing the runs of the Taifa Stars so far. What did you take away? Share with me via @Jololade
• 45' + 1'

  It's half time as the referee brings it to an end. See you on the other side.
• 44'

  SCOOPED! Emenike breaks away cleanly from two defenders into the box but sends his cross straight into the waiting arms of Ally Mustapha.
• 42'

  The Taifa Stars see their throw in cleared by Omeruo and the Stars commit a foul as the Nigerians try to break away down the right flank
• 40'

  Foul by Mudathir Yahya on Igboun, the midfielder is hacked but the referee just gives a free kick.
• 38'

  MISS! Nigeria nearly go up but Simon's shot goes off the shin of Mustapha after he happened on a cross from Musa which the defender failed to clear. Resultant corner kick goes off the head of a Nigerian for goal kick.
• 36'

  SUBSTITUTION: Lukman Haruna goes off for Sylvester Igboun. Early change must be tactical, Haruna did not look injured there. He didn't seem to carry his weight in the midfield and allowed Tanzania a lot of free space.
• 34'

  One of the longest periods that Nigeria have held possession in the game so far, they probe but cannot find that space behind the Taifa Stars' defence.
• 33'

  Unlimwengu sets up another shot that just goes wide of the Nigeria goal. You need to appreciate this lad's confidence to take on the more fancied Nigerians
• 31'

  In the technical area, Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has taken off his jacket, a sign of how hot this game is, I think.
• 28'

  Moses Simon and Shomari Kapombe having their own little battle in the wings.
• 26'

  An Emenike shot hits the back of the defender as Tanzania launch forward again but Omeruo needs two attempts to clear.
• 24'

  SAVE! Ally Mustafa saves on the other side of the pitch from a Nigeria free kick. The resulatnat corner kick is shot wide
• 22'

  SAVE!!! Carl Ikeme gets both palms to the free kick sen in by Samatta to keep NIgeria in this game. So far it is the Taifa Stars that have had the best chances in this game.
• 21'

  Ngasa wins a free kick for his side just outside of the Nigeria box, the striker was brought down by Kenneth Omeruo.
• 19'

  Nigeria go on a fast break but Emenike's cross into the box just goes wide of his single team mate. Tanzania launch a counter attack.
• 15'

  Nice build up by the Taifa Stars results in a nod down in the box but Ikeme wraps his big hands around it. No trouble there, but you get a feeling that the Tanzanians' confidence has increased geometrically since
• 13'

  SAVE! Ikeme gets a strong hand onto the end of a Mrisho Ngasa shot after the playmaker left two markers for dead. The rebound is struck wide. Tanzania looking sharp and hot right now.
• 12'

  Pretty strong player, Thomas Ulimwengu, his runs down the right flank have consistently troubled Nigeria.
• 10'

  Moses Simon whips in a free kick onto Emenike's head but the ball goes just wide.
• 8'

  That battle between Madu and Ulimwengu is going to continue all game, both just clashed in an aerial challenge and require treatment on the pitch.
• 6'

  Ahmed Musa whips in a free kick that falls to Emenike but the striker's shot into the box is caught by an outstretched Ally Mustapha even though there was no real threat by Nigeria forwards in the box.
• 3'

  That Tanzanian pace just handed them a free kick as Kingsley Madu brought down Thomas Mlinwengu which results into a corner kick. The Stars show the Eagles what they are capable of early enough.
• 2'

  Emmanuel Emenike, sporting an interesting mohawk, is brought down early by the Taifa defender. Kick is blocked by the defence wall as Nigeria try to rebuild.
• 1'

  Nigeria take the kick off! Here we go
• National anthems now, first the visitors Nigeria and that of the hosts Tanzania. We're almost there guys, stay with me now.
• Nigeria XI: Carl Ikeme; Kingsley Madu, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Solomon Kwambe; Nwankwo Obiora, Haruna Lukman, Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa (c), Izunna Uzochukwu; Emmanuel Emenike
• Tanzania XI:  Ally Mustafa; Shomari Kapombe, Haji Mwinyi, Nadir Haroub (C), Kelvin Yondani; Himid Mao, Thomas Ulimwengu, Mudathir Yahya; Mbwana Samatta, Mrisho Ngasa, Farid Musa
• For Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh, it is an opportunity to start strong in his first game in charge, after taking over in July following the sack of Stephen Keshi. He is, however, without the services of veteran goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama whose mother sadly passed during the week.
• Despite never defeating the Nigerians, Taifa Stars players and their fans are optimistic of making home advantage count today, according to new coach Boniface Mkwasa. “We have respect for Nigeria because they are a big football nation in Africa but we are not afraid of them because we have prepared well and we have a strong squad. I believe after the 90 minutes we will be all laughs after the great result we will get,” said Mkwasa.
• Both teams have played six times at senior international level with the Nigerians winning four times, and two matches drawn. Their last meeting was a friendly game 13 years ago which the Eagles edged 2-0.
• Welcome to Goal's live text commentary of this Group G, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game between Tanzania and Nigeria at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam. My name is Lolade Adewuyi, and I'll bring you all the action and colour for this game. Chime in with your thoughts and opinions via Twitter: @Jololade