Thanks to two second half goals from Simon Moses and Efe Ambrose, Nigeria now qualifies for the next phase 2-0 on aggregate after playing a goalless draw in the away first leg. Like all the other 19 teams that qualified yesterday, Nigeria will now be drawn into a group of four and the five winners of the group will qualify for the World Cup.
Despite making hard work of it by squandering numerous opportunities in the first half, the Eagles eventually scrapped through thanks to a 52nd minute free kick from Genk winger Simon and an 88th minute point blank tap-in from Celtic's Ambrose. Simon curled in a set piece from 40 yards out, while Ambrose latched on to a knock down to side foot the ball home.
In a match in which Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh rested several of his regulars including Chelsea's Mikel Obi, Elderson Echiejile of Monaco and Godfrey Oboabona of Turkish side Rizespor, many home-based players were given the opportunity to earn their first caps. However, the Eagles were profligate in front of goal, prompting Oliseh to bring on Obafemi Martins in the 75th minute.
Other potential heavyweights like Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal also sat out the match. Watford's Odion Ighalo played the full 90 minutes but was guilty of several glaring misses, while skipper Ahmed Musa was out of sorts again, clearly over-burdened with the unwanted responsibility of leadership that Oliseh surprisingly thrust upon him and had to be hurled off.
Former goalkeeping coach Joe Erico, said: “The players did well, they deserve their victory and all commendations should be accorded to them for playing their best to ensure the team’s qualification. The team had settled down together after their first leg encounter which did not really bring the best out of them but it is indeed a worthy outing of them."
Ex Flying Eagles coach Taju Disu, added: "The team is obviously in good hands and the introduction of home-based players showed the coach’s confidence in the players to fight for jerseys. I congratulate the entire team and hope they continue to give their best in subsequent matches in the group stage ahead."
Come the group stages, Oliseh will need to make significant changes and get the team playing a lot better as they are likely to be grouped with one or two African heavyweights. In both legs, the Eagles have struggled against minnows Swaziland and against stiffer opposition as is certain to come their way, better performances will be required.
Among the teams that have qualified for the group stage are Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Congo, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Uganda, Zambia and Gabon. With Nigeria currently ranked 11th in Africa according to the Fifa ranking, the Eagles will not be seeded for the draw.
Watch goals: http://ift.tt/1OPUo78;theater
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