It would have been unfair if it came from any other player apart from Ahmed Musa. Fresh from an inspired Russian league win with CSKA Moscow… It was only logical that the petite winger should be given a starting role by Coach Stephen Keshi and he did not disappoint tormenting the Kenyan defenders with his electrifying runs.
After
series of unconnected crosses, he was rewarded in the 85th minute when
he decided to go solo, raced past Brian Mandela in the Kenya defense
before cheekingly lobbying the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Duncan
Ochieng… for Nigeria’s much awaited goal.
The
hype apart, the Kenyans did not really come to the party and two
minutes on, Musa speedily intercepted a ball meant for George Owino,
raced in and crossed perfectly for Ideye, only for the not too brilliant
attacker to miss a sitter by wanting to displace an opponent instead of
hitting first time.
The
Eagles continued to dominate, especially in the midfield where Mikel
Obi, Sunday Mba and Onazi held sway. Call it tactical play to conserve
energy, yet you will be disappointed that despite the massive advantage
possession wise, the Nigerians could not make hay, missing again and
again.
With
goalkeeper and skipper Enyeama virtually on holiday, and the defense
line of Omeruo, Ambrose, Echiejile and Obobona not tested, the Eagles
continued to make life difficult for their hosts to the chagrin of the
over 40 thousand spectators especially from the midfield.
In
the 20th minute Oduamadi broke free from the right, displaced two
defenders and was in a goal scoring position when he was brought down
but the referee waved play on to the relief of the weakened home fans.
The
Eagles returned in the 28th minute, but again Ideye fluffed the chance
by reacting too slow to a ball that was handed to him for the kill.
At
this stage the Kenyan bench deprived of Coach Eden Amrouche who was
handed the marching orders in Calabar and banned for one match, did not
know what to do as the Eagles intensified their quest for the all
important goal which did not come till the end of the first half.
The
second half took the pattern of the first as Oduamadi at point blank
range with only the goalkeeper to beat saw his trial deflected by the
legs of goalkeeper Ochieng in the 47th
Musa
continued his runs down the right flank but with no commensurate
reaction from his colleagues in an afternoon where it was evident
Nigeria needed to shop for attackers and fast too.
With
the midfielders also not joining in the attack, Keshi brought out
Sunday Mba for John Oguh and followed it up with Tony Ujah for off form
Brown Ideye. The replacements helped to intensify steam, yet the goals
refused to come.
Just when the Kenyans were ready for a draw, and goalkeeper Ochieng had been booked for wasting time, Musa struck.
With
this victory, Nigeria has shot to the top of the log with eight points
and with a victory over Namibia next week in Windhoek, will qualify for
the next round of the world Cup Africa qualifiers with a match to spare.
Victor Moses was brief and precise, as congratulated the Eagles via Twitter:
