2014 World Cup qualifiers: Nigeria 2-0 Malawi | The Super Eagles qualified
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have obtained their qualification for the playoffs of the FIFA World, Brazil 2014 qualifiers after defeating Malawi 2-0 this afternoon in Calabar.
Both sides clashed in the 6th round qualifiers of the event. Emmanuel Emenike (46th) and Victor Moses (51st) scored in both halves of the game to secure their country’s top position in group F on 12 points. Meanwhile, Malawi who currently stand second on 7 points could drop one step if Namibia (5pts) beat Kenya (3pts).
Goals from Emmanuel Emenike in the 45+1 minutes and Victor Moses’ second half goal from the spot ensured Nigeria qualified for the play-off stages of the 2014 World Cup.
The Eagles started the game on the front foot with Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi calling the shots in the midfield to help Nigeria stay in control of the game.
Onazi took the first shot at goal for the Nigerians in the 11th minute but his effort went wide.
Chances
Eight minutes later, Moses took on two men from the left, drives in a grounded cross into the area but there was no green shirt to convert the chance.
25 minutes into the game, Malawi went close to breaking the deadlock but the Eagles defense did well to clear their lines and deny the visitors a goal scoring opportunity.
Ten minutes later, Ambrose draws the first real blood for the Eagles but the goal keeper did well to deny the Celtic man the chance to put Nigeria in front for a corner.
Inside the one minute added time, Onazi sends Emenike through to announce his return to the Super Eagles with a superb finish inside the area to hand Nigeria a 1-0 half time lead.
Second half
The Eagles continued with the pressure after the break and their effort paid off just after four minutes with Moses getting on the score sheet from the spot to extend Nigeria’s lead.
After a fine interchanging play involving Moses and Oduamadi, the Brescia man did well enough to hold off a pulling from a Malawi defender before finding Musa who then put him through inside the area before being brought down with the referee pointing to the spot.
Seven minutes after conceding the second goal, Malawi went one man down for a second bookable offence following a reckless tackle on Musa on the edge of the area.
Musa should have made it three for Nigeria after he was put through by Oduamadi, but the CSKA Moscow man could not tip the ball over the on rushing Malawi goal keeper.
Shola Ameobi came on late into the half for Emenike and five minutes later, Uche Nwafor came on for Oduamadi to help the Eagles hold onto the 2-0 lead and end the game with maximum points in their kitty.
