Chelsea forward Victor Moses hit a brace as the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeat Algeria 3-1 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier Matchday 2 match on Saturday.
Nigeria needed all three-point to sit comfortably at the summit of the group and they didn’t disappoint, as they pour forward to get an early goal.
Moses got the first chance in the 6th minute after breaching the Algerians’ defence but couldn’t direct his shot on target.
The winger however got his first goal when he ghosted into the visitors’ box before unleashing a bullet into the net in the 25th minute to give the Eagles the lead.
John Mikel Obi capitalised on a terrible defensive play by Aïssa Mandi in the 42nd minute before tucking home the ball past goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi to give Nigeria a 2-0 lead going into the break.
The Algerians came back into the second half with a renewed mentality and they actually caused the hosts so many headaches with their movement and pace with Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi cutting the Eagles’ defence open at will.
Their efforts paid off in the 65th minute when Nabil Bentaleb fired a missle at Daniel Akpeyi who was off his line to give the Algerians the hope for a comeback in the game.
However, after the introduction of pacy Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa in the later part of the game, the Super Eagles turned the game around.
After missing begging chances, Moses finally ensured victory for the Eagles when he scored his second in the added time of the match.
Nigeria now maintained their position at the top of the table with 6 points after Cameroon’s 1-1 draw with Zambia in the other match of the group.
By Joshua Odeyemi I Daily Trust
