Nigeria Shows Mercy in 2-1 Victory

Oh, Mercy.

Nigeria’s Mercy Akide was marvelous as advertised Sunday in a 2-1 victory over North Korea at the Rose Bowl, and she is the leader of a soccer team that could captivate American fans.

Except for one little detail.

The Nigerians play America’s team next.

A crowd of 17,102 at the Rose Bowl was well-rewarded for staying for the second game of the Women’s World Cup doubleheader, getting a good look at the spirited, risk-taking team the U.S. will play Thursday in Chicago--and perhaps a few scouting notes on Nigeria’s drum-beating, dancing fans.

Akide, a player so skilled you could pick her out of a crowd even if she wasn’t wearing her hair in silver and green ringlets, scored Nigeria’s first goal unassisted in the 50th minute from an angle even she called “impossible,” off a hard shot from the right side of the net close to the end line.

North Korean goalkeeper Kye Yong Sun got her hand on the ball, but it deflected into the net.

“It was a hard shot. That’s why she didn’t catch the ball and it went into the net,” said Akide, who for all her cocky celebrations on the field speaks softly off it.

“I say good evening to everyone,” she greeted reporters after the game. “I think most of you know me. My name is Mercy Akide. We took on North Korea tonight and we won.”

North Korea, a team as nondescript in its all-white uniforms as Nigeria was colorful and full of dazzling offense, nevertheless tied the score in the 74th minute when Jo Song Ok one-timed Jo Jong Ran’s crossing pass right in front of the net.

Nigerian Coach Ismaila Mabo professed not to be worried by the 1-1 score.

“I still expected to go back and score either one or two more goals,” he said.

They scored one, when Rita Nwadike took a centering pass from Akide right in front of the net--a pass that looked very much like Akide’s goal-scoring shot--and put it past Kye in the 79th minute for a 2-1 lead.

Merci, Mercy.

It wasn’t all Akide. She had four shots on goal, but Nwadike and Florence Omagbemi each had two and Patience Avre made plenty of terrific plays.

North Korea put some furious pressure on Nigeria in the final minutes, but couldn’t tie the score again.

As for Nigeria’s offense-first style, Mabo made no apologies.

“Football is a game of take-a-risk, especially in championships of this magnitude,” Mabo said. “I believe in attacking football.”

In the locker room, the Nigerian team celebrated--not that the players seem as if they ever have to wait for a reason.

“We were praising God because we said we would shout hallelujah if we were able to win,” Akide said. “The crowd was waiting to see me because they put me on the front of the [program.]”

She gave them a show. Next up, the Americans.

“By the grace of God we can do all things,” Akide said. “By the grace of God we are going to be victorious.