The duo of Chelsea FC of England stars, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, joined forces to help the Super Eagles of Nigeria beat their opponent from Algeria, the Desert Foxes in a four-goal thriller to give the Nigerian team a 3-1 victory in a 2018 World Cup African qualifier.
In form Victor Moses opened scoring for Nigeria in the 25th minute, he came back to score his brace for Nigeria, which was the team’s third goal in the last minutes of the tough encounter against a star-studded Algerian team.
Twenty minutes after the first goal, Mikel scored only his third ever international goal when he beat the offside trap after more defensive woes from Algeria to fire the ball past hapless Rais M’Bolhi in goal.
The World Cup 2018 qualifier which was played at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo saw Nigeria go into the half time break with a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Moses and Mikel. Mikel was later substituted by Wilfred Ndidi.
Algeria, who had Leicester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani starting in attack, pulled one back through Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb in the 67 minute, just when it seems like the Algerians will draw level, substitute Ahmed Musa, who replaced injured Kenneth Omeruo, broke free from the right before releasing a cross which was well controlled and coolly slotted home by Moses two minutes into time added on.
The 3-1 win means Nigeria are now four points clear at the top of the group B standings with six points from two games, after Cameroun were held to another draw, this time around a 1-1 draw against Zambia in Yaounde.
The Eagles next World Cup qualifier be against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon next year August at the Nest of Champions and if the Eagles win that match, Nigeria would be good to pick the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket.
It was massive celebration here in Uyo after the match as Nigerian soccer fans dance openly in wide celebration.
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