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Nigeria’s build-up for the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations billed to start January continued on a bright note with a 3-1 win over Venezuela in an international friendly played in Miami, Florida, USA, this morning.

This is the second time Nigeria would beat the South Americans in as many meetings, a goal by now-retired midfield maestro Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha having settled the previous friendly in 2003.

This morning at Marlins Park, the Super Eagles “B” team struggled against their more co-ordinated opponents but came out victorious due to a combination of lethal finishing and pointblank saves by stand-in captain, goalie Austin Ejide.

Ironically come-backing Obafemi Martins, the Levante of Spain goal poacher, and Shola Ameobi, the Newcastle of England striker who won his first Nigerian cap at 31, were not the heroes of the day as anticipated.

Nigeria shot into the lead through Ukraine-based Dynamo Kyiv forward Brown Ideye on 49 minutes, increasing the tally through a spectacular 53^rd minute 40-yard shot by Real Betis of Spain’s attacking midfielder Nosa Igiebor.

Venezuela reduced the tally through Frank Feltscher, who capitalised on a defensive blunder to find the net in the 70^th minute but Lazio of Italy midfielder Ogenyi Onazi made victory more sure in the last of the three added minutes by slotting in an Ameobi pass.

Coach Stephen Keshi’s team was dominated by home-based players and also witnessed the debut of Chinedu ‘Bright’ Dike, who plies his trade Portland Timbers in America’s Major League Soccer.

Nigerian soccer fans have been celebrating the Super Eagles’ victory, saying that the team’s future is bright.

•Photo: Bursting loose . . . Ogenyi Onazi, who scored Nigeria’s last goal, in action in a previous match.

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