2013 AFCON QUALIFIER: Eagles through to the next round

Elderson Echiejile (right) vies for the ball with 

Rwandan Eric Gasana during the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualification match between the two countries in Calabar

•Nigeria beat Rwanda 2-0 aggregate

NIGERIA’S Super Eagles yesterday moved on to the next round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after beating Rwanda’s Amavubi 2-0 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The encounter with five players from the Nigeria Premier League in the starting 11, saw  the Stephen Keshi tutored- side open scores in the first half through Ikechukwu Uche in the 9th minute after the Rwandans failed to clear their line.

However, after this, the Eagles failed to convert most of the scoring chances that came their away, no thanks to the doggedness of the Amavubi’s to leave scores at 1-0 at the end of the first stanza.

On resumption, the Eagles went in search of another goal but again they failed to put home the final ball.

 On the dot of 56th minute, Ahmed Musa converted a beautiful set-up from Enyimba’s Kalu Uche to further take the game beyond the visitors who never gave up the fighting spirit.

Both coaches made the mandatory three changes in a bid to add more bit to teams chances but no more goals was recorded as scores stood at 2-0 at full time.

Interestingly, Keshi used the closing moments of the game to bring out Musa and two home-based players, Ejike Uzoenyi, Kalu Uche with the trio of Victor Moses, Raheem Lawal and  Sone Aluko taking  their places respectively.