Two
games now stand between Nigeria and qualification for the Brazil 2014
World Cup after the Super Eagles defeated Malawi 2-0 on Saturday at the
UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, to advance to the final play-off round of
the African qualifiers.
The Eagles thus finished top of Group F
with 12 points from six matches, while Malawi finished in second place
with seven points.
The score line could have been higher but for several wasted chances by the African champions.
CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa should have given the home side the lead as early as the third minute, but he shot wide.
The visitors were content to soak the
pressure all through the first half but it was evident their defensive
formation would crumble as the Nigerians attacked relentlessly with
midfielder Mikel Obi the initiator of most of the moves.
Fenerbache striker Emmanuel Emenike, who
was returning to the team for the first time since February, grabbed
the opener in first half injury time, when he got on the end of a superb
long ball from impressive Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi to calmly chip
past the diving Malawi goalkeeper Charles Swini.
The Eagles added a second in the 51st
minute when Victor Moses fired home from the penalty spot after a
goal-bound Nnamdi Oduamadi was adjudged to have been upended inside the
box by the Madagascan referee.
The Malawians were reduced to 10 men two
minutes later when Lumbukani Mzuva was sent off for a second yellow
card for a late tackle on Musa.
But the Eagles failed to make their
numerical advantage count afterwards as they wasted begging chances.
Again, keeper Swini was outstanding for Malawi as he denied the
Nigerians time and time again.
Chelsea midfielder, Mikel, named TomTom
Most Valuable Player of the match, said, “We’ve done 50 per cent of the
job and we have to see who we play against in the final round. The most
important thing is that we have to keep winning.”
The Eagles will know their opponents
when the final play-offs draw is conducted by the Confederation of
African Football on September 16.
The first legs of the play-off ties will
be played between October 11 and 15, while the return legs are slated
for November 15 to 19.
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