By Nelson Dafe and Adeyinka Akintunde on November 17, 2015

Nigeria this evening made it to the final round of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers after defeating Swaziland 2-0 in Port Harcourt.
Goals from Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose ensured that the Super Eagles will contest for a place in Russia among the other successful Africans at the final round.

It was not an easy encounter at all for the much more fancied Nigeria as they found Swaziland as stubborn as they were in the first leg, which ended barren on Sunday.

Nigeria struggled to create chances in the first 45 minutes with a well-drilled Swazi defence doubling up on the Super Eagles attackers any time they got near the 18-yard box.

For all the Nigerian dominance of possession, the only real chance of note fell to Odion Ighalo, who received a long pass from the middle and skewed his shot wide when he looked certain to score in a one on one situation with the Swazi goalkeeper.

In fact, the best chance of the first half came Swaziland’s way when a free kick on the edge of the Nigerian box resulted in a clear chance, but the Swaziland player unbelievably missed from just about three yards with the net gaping.

The tension in the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, was palpable as the referee ended the first half.

On resumption of play for the second stanza, the Nigerians piled on the pressure relentlessly in search of an early goal. It came in the 51st minute with a 30-yard beauty of a free kick by Simon. He curled his strike to the upper right of the Swazi ’keeper who dived in despair.

The goal settled Nigerian nerves and the Eagles took complete control of the game, but found Swaziland’s goalie tough to beat. He made point blank saves on several occasions and the pressure swung back on the Eagles as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

Carl Ikeme in goal for Nigeria had to be alert to tip a clever long range shot for a corner as a Swazi player tried to catch him off guard in the late stages of the game.

However, with injury time lurking, Efe flicked a cross from the right flank to send the Eagles bench and fans into ecstasy.

At the end of the game, the Eagles players and coach Oliseh were mobbed by fans who breached security to celebrate with their darling team in the pitch.

•Photo shows Coach Sunday Oliseh.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 17, 2015

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