Moses double sees Eagles tame stubborn Greens

Georges Leekens’ men were played off the park in Uyo, and are now in serious danger of missing out on the 2018 World Cup

Nigeria remain top of Africa World Cup qualifying Group B thanks to a 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo on Saturday.

A double from Victor Moses with efforts from John Obi Mikel were all the Super Eagles needed to tear apart the visitors at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The result heaps the pressure on Algeria, whose winless run in the qualifying series extended to two matches.

Mikel, who was included in the starting line-up turned in a great display to inspire his team to victory.

After a keenly contested opening minute, Moses took centre stage after 25th minutes with a ferocious strike past goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi after a one-to pass with a teammate.

Yacine Brahimi missed an excellent chance to level before John Obi Mikel put the Super Eagles two goals up with three minutes to the half time break. The Chelsea midfielder profited from a terrible defensive play by Aïssa Mandi, showing good composure with a calm finish.

Algeria reduced the arrears early in the second half through Nabil Bentaleb – whose sizzler beat a hapless Daniel Akpeyi in goal for Gernot Rohr’s men.

But Moses restored their two-goal lead in the closing stages of the game and, somewhat inevitably, it was Moses who got the goal, as he latched onto a slide-rule pass from substitute Ahmed Musa and fired past M’Bolhi with his left foot.

With this victory, Nigeria lead Group B with six points – four points ahead of Cameroon who were held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia.

The Super Eagles host Cameroon in their next game on 28 August , 2017.