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| Nigerian Scorer Ahmed Musa |
Adapted from Super Sport. African champions Nigeria took command of Group F of the 2014 World
Cup qualifying group after a 1-0 victory over Kenya's Harambee Stars in
Nairobi on Wednesday.
Ahmed Musa notched the winner nine minutes from time racing onto a
long ball before coolly lobbing goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng to give the
Super Eagles a deserved victory at Moi International Sports Centre
Kasarani.
It capped off a brilliant afternoon for Musa who tormented the Kenyan backline throughout the match with pace and trickery.
Nigeria now has eight points from four games, two ahead of Malawi
who were held to a 0-0 draw by Namibia in Blantyre. For Stars, their
hopes of a place in Brazil next are almost over as they prop up the
group on two points.
Missing skipper Dennis Oliech and Arnold Origi, Stars started shakily
and they almost gifted Nigeria the lead on five minutes after a mix up
between Ochieng and Brian Mandela presented Brown Ideye with a chance
but he blazed over.
Musa then went close with a freekick on 14 minutes after Ideye had
been fouled as Stars struggled to get a foothold in the match.
Kenya’s first sight goal came on the half hour mark but Mandela
headed Francis Kahata’s corner wide. Vincent Enyeama was a bystander for
most of the half waiting till the 39th minute to make his first save of
the match gobbling up Peter Opiyo’s long range effort.
Stand in skipper Victor Wanyama had been Stars’ best player in the
opening half but he was unable to keep his shot down after neat
interplay between Kahata and Jamal Mohammed on the stroke of halftime.
Nigeria should have gone ahead in the opening minute of the second
half when Nnamdi Oduamadi skinned Mandela in the box but Ochieng was
quick off his line to make a fantastic save with his feet to keep the
scores level.
An injury sustained by Wanyama slowed down the hoists as he was
unable to patrol the middle of the park with the same effectiveness a
she had in the first half.
The introduction of Anthony Ujah gave them more impetus as they
pushed Kenya deeper and deeper with the giant Nigerian providing
physical presence in the box.
He headed a cross just wide on 72 and four minutes later, Obi Mikel fired just over from range.
The goal finally arrived on 81 minutes and it was one of stunning simplicity.
Substitute Stephen Waruru lost the ball on the edge of the Nigerian
box and from the resulting long ball, Musa held off Mandela and Ochieng
before chipping the goalkeeper and quieten the partisan crowd in the
stadium.
Nigeria next face Namibia in Windhoek while Kenya travel to Blantyre for a date against the Flames of Malawi.