Gary Meenaghan wrote today about the anticipation that was building in Addis Ababa for tonight's first leg CAF World Cup qualifier play-off between Nigeria and Ethiopia..
And for a few minutes, after Ethiopia held Nigeria to a scoreless draw through the first half and after Mengitsu Assefa put the Ethiopians ahead with a 59th-minute goal, it looked like Addis Ababa just might erupt in jubilation after all.
But Emmanuel Emenike equalised for the Super Eagles shortly thereafter, in the 67th minute, with a low, driving shot from well outside the box that beat Ethiopia keeper Jemal Tassew.
And at the 90th minute he drew a yellow in the box and nailed the spot kick. Nigeria won 2-1 and the Ethiopia hearts were broken. There's still always the possibility the second leg will bring a miracle. The two sides will face off again on November 16 in Calabar.
Here's the penalty, given to Anyalem Hailu:
