Nairobi — Nigeria qualified for the World Cup in a tense Group Two photo finish after beating brave Kenya 3-2 at Moi International Sports Centre on Saturday. The results pushed the Super Eagles to top position in the group with 12 points after long time table leaders Tunisia were beaten 1-0 by Mozambique in Maputo to remain with 11 points.

The Nairobi loss knocked Kenya out of the African finals after Mozambique clinched the third qualifying spot with their home win against the Carthage Eagles. Kenya led Nigeria 1-0 at half time courtesy of a Dennis Oliech goal in the 15th minute.

But Nigeria equalised in the 62nd minute through second half substitute Obarfemi Martins before Aiyegbeni Yakubu’s gave them the lead three minutes later. Allan Wanga restored parity with spectacular diving header in the 79th minute but Martins made sure of the three precise points for the Super Eagles with an overhead goal on 83 minutes.

The match was marred by crowd trouble as a section of the spectators threw water bottles into the pitch soon after the Nigeria scored their second goal, causing concern on the pitch but thankfully the situation did not deteriorate. It was desperate situation for Kenya who needed to win and rely on a Mozambique loss or draw to sneak through to the African finals.

But it all looked a tall order as Nigeria started the more composed side pressing Kenya in their own half in the early exchanges. Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie was a constant threat with his darting runs and eagerness to shot at goal.

Nigeria forced 10 corners to Kenya’s one but all were fruitless. When Stars got their first real chance on goal their top scorer Oliech was on hand to bring his qualifier tally to six. Emmanuel Ake, who played in flashed in inspiration, fed Oliech a neat through ball for the Auxerre striker to roll the ball home.

The crowd went ecstatic as Kenya began to string their passes together. But it was Nigeria who came close to scoring the second goal of the match, Peter Opiyo clearing the ball from the line in the 17th minute.

Good combination

Several minutes later Odemwingie got his return shot corner kick to test Willis Ochieng with fierce ground shot. Nigeria controlled the possession but they just did not have the cutting edge in the half.

Kenya should doubled the scores in the closing stages of the first half. Oliech, a constant menace to the Nigerians, was brought down in the box after some good combination by Peter Opiyo and Victor Mugabe but his valiant appeals for a penalty were ignored by the ref.

Oliech should have scored three minutes into time added on, leaving Joseph Yobo and Obina Mwanzeri for dead, but Vincent Enyama came out on top in the one-on-one situation.

Line-ups:

Kenya – Willis Ochieng, Julius Owino, John Njoroge, Edgar Ochieng, George Owino, Musa Otieno, Peter Opiyo, Victor Mugabe, Patrick Oboya, Emmanuel Ake, Deniis Oliech. Substitutes used – Allan Wanga, Patrick Osiako

Nigeria – Vincent Enyama, Joseph Yobo, Echejile Elderson, Olofinjana Oluwafeni (Yusuf Atanda),Obina Mwanzeri, Apan Oluwaseyi, John Obi Mikel, Ajilore Oluwafeni, Michael Enerana,Yakubu Aiyegbeni,Peter Odemwinie. Substitutes used – Yusuf Atanda, Obafemi Martin, Obina Nsofor.

 

SOURCE: All Africa