Reigning African champions Nigeria returned to the summit of group F with a lone goal win over the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Wednesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier played behind a full capacity stadium in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Kenya stunned the Super Eagles with a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Calabar. And Nigeria needed to avoid defeat to stay on course on the road to Brazil 2014, and that they did with CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa scoring the only goal of the encounter in the 81st minute when hecleverly chipped the ball over an on-rushing Kenya goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng to give Nigeria a deserved lead.
Nigeria found themselves needing to improve dramatically for their World Cup qualifying match against Kenya after a playing a 2-2 draw against ten-man Mexico last week.
Happily for the Super Eagles, they welcomed back Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel back into the fold who was able to control the tempo of the game from midfield and eventually help earn a vital 1-0 win.
The Super Eagles now lead Group F with eight points from four matches, two points ahead of closest rivals Malawi who failed to win at home against third-placed Namibia in another group game played on Wednesday in Blanytre.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya are bottom of the standings with two points.
Nigeria are yet to lose to Kenya in 15 meetings with Nigeria winning 12 games and drawing three, including the last game in Calabar last March.