SUPER Eagles' rebuilding process under new coach, Stephen Keshi, ended goalless yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City against Botswana.It was Keshi's first game since taking over from Samson Siasia, who was fired for failing to qualify the country for the 2012 African Cup of Nation.An enthusiastic crowd turned up to cheer the Eagles to victory, but were left disappointed as the resolute, well-coordinated Zebras of Botswana held their own in defence to ward off the hosts' attack.The Eagles found it hard to break down the Zebras with shots blocked by young goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe, even as the Nigerians hugged most of the possession throughout the game.Ike Uche, Joel Obi and Fengor Ogude all saw their shots kept out by Dambe as rains poured down during the first half.The eager Benin fans then took to chanting and asking for a goal in the second half that saw series of changes made by both coaches.Substitutes Brown Ideye, Chinedu Obasi and Ahmed Musa had opportunities saved as the game wore to a close.Midfielder Dickson Etuhu was voted man of the match. He was included alongside goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for yesterday's game, having been dropped by coach Samson Siasia.Enyeama, who had a high profile falling out with Siasia, took charge in the first half in yesterday's game. There was also midfielder Dickson Etuhu.The Eagles will play Zambia on Tuesday in Kaduna as they seek to rebuild after missing out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.Botswana qualified for the 2012 Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for the first time. The country used yesterday's game against Nigeria to prepare for the fiesta.Before yesterday's game, Keshi was full of confident that he would bring back the glory days to the Super Eagles.Despite being a mere friendly, Keshi said the Eagles would approach the game with all seriousness, if for nothing else, to restore the people's confidence battered by the failure of the team to pick a ticket for the 2012 Nations Cup, the first time in 25 years.The ex-defender was handed the post on Wednesday with the mandate of steering the side to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 214 World Cup.Coach Stanley Tshosane of Botswana said after the game that the Zebras had worked hard enough, saying that he was looking forward to see the team qualify from the group stage at the Nations Cup. Botswana is pitched against fellow West African sides Ghana, Mali and Guinea.In yesterday's friendly game in Benin City, Botswana played without some key members of its squad including goalkeepers Modiri Marumo and Noah Maposa.
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