Recalled Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel both scored as the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0 in Pointe-Noire to put themselves in a fine position to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
The African champions came into the match needing to win by two clear goals to gain head-to-head advantage over the Congolese, as they had lost 3-2 to the East Africans in the first leg.
Nigeria failed to convert any of their many chances in the first half before Emmanuel Emenike was felled in the area early in the second half. Uche stepped up and squeezed home the penalty kick. The Villareal striker failed to convert Samuel’s fine cross.
Vincent Enyeama also kept his team in it, saving a penalty from Almeria’s Thievy Bifouma, after Godfrey Oboabona was deemed to have handled a goal-bound shot inside his box.
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However, Samuel took the matter into his hands and burst into the area in the dying minutes of the game, before curling in a sublime effort.
The Super Eagles are now second in the group and play South Africa – who have already qualified – next week.
