Musa’s goals inspire Eagles for AFCON qualification

By Albert Akota

Ahmed Musa scored a brace to put the Africa champions back on track for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of 3-1 home win over Sudan yesterday.

Eagles have now climbed to third place in Group A with four points from as many matches.

South Africa leads the standings on seven points, while Congo is second with six points. Sudan is bottom with three points.

Next month, they travel to Congo, before they host South Africa to round up their campaign for a place at the 2015 Nations Cup.

Nigeria needed a second-half rally to clinch their first win in the qualifying tournament for Morocco 2015.

The Eagles opened scoring after 48 minutes when CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, latched on to a through ball by Mikel Obi, evaded his marker before he slid the ball home.

However, Sudan restored parity in the 55th minute when Salah Ibrahim slotted home from a pass from inside the box.

China-based striker Aaron Samuel restored Nigeria lead in the 66th minute when he stabbed home a loose ball after a mix-up between Sudan goalkeeper Akram El Hadi and his defender.

Ahmed Musa got his brace in the 90th minute when he capitalised on another Sudan defensive lapse, rounded up another defender before he slotted home for Nigeria’s third goal.

Coach Stephen Keshi, whose job is on the line, made four changes to his starting XI in Sudan at the weekend, giving debuts to Reading midfielder Hope Akpan and Aaron Samuel while preferred fullbacks Elderson Echiejile and Efe Ambrose were axed?

Nigeria was at best disjointed in the first half as they attacked from the onset in front of an appreciable crowd at the Abuja National Stadium.

Interestingly, it was the visitors who even created the better chances on the counter attack in the first 45 minutes.