The Super Eagles of Nigeria have progressed to the next stage of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers after seeing off Swaziland with a 2-...
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have progressed to the next
stage of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers after seeing off Swaziland with a 2-0 win at
the Adokiye Amiesamieka stadium in Portharcourt on Tuesday.
The two-legged world Cup qualifying round saw the super
eagles held to a goalless affair by the Swazis in the first leg which was
played on Friday, Nov. 14, in Swaziland. But, the three-time African Champions proved
their superiority to the rookies with a dominant
display in the 2nd
leg in front of home fans at the Portharcourt stadium.
The win came courtesy of two second-half goals from Belgium-based Simon
Moses and Celtic FC of Scotland defender, Efe Ambrose, with both goals coming from set pieces. Most of the game was
played in the half of the Swaziland team with Nigeria having a large chunk of
the possession but the Swaziland defence was resilient and the goalkeeper was
superb in goal; making point-blank saves from the likes of Odion Ighalo, Simon Moses and Sylvester Igbonu. But, he
couldn’t keep out Simon’s sensational freekick which gave Nigeria
the lead on the 50th minute and Efe Ambrose close range tap-in; also from a free
kick, in the 88th minute.
Apart from securing qualification for the next stage of the
Russia 2018 WC qualification process, The win also has a financial significance for the Super Eagles as the two goals mean that
the team is now $40,000 (about N8m) richer. This is because before the match, the Rivers state
governor, Nyesom Wike had promised the team $20,000 for each goal scored in the
match.
I am sure the players would be grinning from ear to ear
right now and it won’t be just because they are on their way to represent their
fatherland at football’s highest level, but because dem don get alert…
