Nigeria’s Super Eagles continued their unbeaten record under Gernot Rohr with an impressive 3-1 victory over Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Chelsea duo, Victor Moses and Mikel Obi, were on target for the hosts at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, while the visitors struck through Tottenham midfielder, Nabil Bentaleb.
With regular first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, ruled out due to injury, South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi got the nod ahead of Kelechi Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu.
Moses, Leon Balogun and Oghenekaro Etebo were the other three changes to the team that won 2-1 away to Zambia last month.
As expected, the Eagles started the game on very nervous note while the Desert Foxes were on a mission to strike early.
But it was the home team who drew first blood in the 25th minute through Moses.
The rejuvenated Chelsea forward who has been impressive under Antonio Conte in the Premier League, burst into the Algerian defence before sliding a low shot past Raise M’Bolhi in goal for the visitors.
That set the tone for a series of attacking moves from the Nigerians.
Kelechi Iheanacho who started upfront almost doubled the Eagles lead five minutes later but couldn’t connect with Moses’ cross.
Then it was time for the Algerians to test Akpeyi.
Bentaleb had a wonderful chance to equalise on 37 minutes but the Spurs midfielder on loan at Schalke 04 failed to direct his effort goal wards.
Moments later, Nigeria were two goals up through Mikel.
The 29-year-old received a pinpoint pass from Etebo, before beating the offside trap to send M’Bolhi the other direction.
Bentaleb drew a goal back for Algeria on 67 minutes rifling in a left foot strike which found the top right hand corner.
In the 75 minute, Yacine Brahimi took a left foot shot which flashed across the Eagles goal.
Moses then extended the Eagles lead on 92nd minute finishing off a brilliant counter attack from an Ahmed Musa’s low cross.
The victory means Rohr has now gone three games without defeat since making his debut against Tanzania.
Nigeria also remain top of group B with six points after successive victories.
Cameroon forced visitors Zambia to a 1-1 draw in the other group game.
The Indomitable Lions with two points are second, while Zambia and Algeria have 1 point apiece.
Nigeria will face Cameroon in their next game while the bottom sides do battle.
