The Super eagles have advanced to the final round of CAF qualification for World Cup 2014 with a 2-0 win over Malawi in Calabar on Saturday.
Goals came from returning striker Emmanuel Emenike and a penalty from winger Victor Moses.
The game started off with Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa tormenting the Malawian defence. LimbikaniMzava was handed a yellow card on the second minute for a rough on Victor Moses.
The Super Eagles had a lot of the ball possession but were unable to create clear cut chances. The African champions were relentless as they challenged the Malawians for every ball.
Musa was found offside after receiving a lovely pass from John Mikel Obi on the 11th minute. Few minutes later, OgenyiOnazi’s shot went wide as the Eagles continued their search for an early goal.
Malawi goalkeeper, Simplex Nthara made a brilliant save off the boot of Efe Ambrose followed by another effort in the 26th minute to prevent Victor Moses from scoring the opening goal.
As the first half came to a close, Emenike put Nigeria ahead with a sublime finish with an assist from Onazi. After withstanding so much pressure, the Malawian defence allowed the Fenerbahce striker sneak in an audacious chip past Simplex to calm the nerves of the fans.
In the early minutes of the second half, Musa failed to add to the deficit after missing a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper who gathered the ball to keep the Flames’ hopes alive. Emenike was denied shortly after by the same goalkeeper.
The Eagles put the game beyond doubt in the 51st minute after Brescia forward Nnamdi Oduamadi was brought down by Malawian captain James Sangala. Moses converted the penalty giving the Eagles a two goal cushion.
A few minutes later, Malawi player Limbikani Mzava was sent off for a second bookable offence to add to his team’s woes.
Nigeria created a string of chances during the rest of the half but were unable to find a third goal.
With this result, Nigeria is now through to the final play-off round of the World Cup 2014 qualification and will know their opponents when the draw is made in a few days.