Nigeria’s wobbling Super Eagles has won their first three points in Group A, Nigeria 3-1 Sudan.
Ahmed Musa scored two second half goals against Sudan yesterday at the National Stadium, Abuja, to rekindle Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the Morocco 2015 African Nations Cup.
Musa, who was celebrating his birthday yesterday, opened scores for the Eagles in the 48th minute when he latched on to a through ball from Mikel Obi to beat Akram El Hadi in goal for the Sudanese team.
The victory takes Nigeria to four points and third position in Group A, but the Eagles’ game did not show any improvement on their earlier three games, which they lost two and drew one.
Nigeria needed a win yesterday as anything less would have ended its ambition of defending its crown in Morocco next year. And the Abuja fans’ worst fears seemed to become a reality when the Sudanese team ransacked Eagles’ defence in the 55th minute for Salah Al Jizoli to level scores.
But China-based Aaron Samuel, making his debut for the Eagles, restored Nigeria’s lead in the 66th minute when he slammed home a loose ball after a miskick by a Sudanese defender.
Then just before the end of the tie, Musa, who was one of the few shining lights in Nigeria’s outing at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, further put the game beyond the Sudanese when he stole the ball from a defender, rounded up another to score his second and the Eagles’ third of the night.
Going into yesterday’s game, which he needed to win to save his job, Coach Stephen Keshi rested the ineffective Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile, while including Hope Akpan, who plays for Reading in the English Championship, and Aaron Samuel.
Even though Sudan lost the game, the North Africans’ play exposed the lethargy that has crept into the Eagles’ game with the ease they controlled events in the midfield.
Nigeria need to win its two remaining games against Congo in Brazzaville and South Africa in Uyo to have any hope of making the final in Morocco next year.
