Simon, Ambrose fires Nigeria to Victory.

Sunday Oliseh surprisingly left out three of the players that started the first match. Notable among the players dropped is the midfield maestro John Mikel Obi of Chelsea, Elderson Echegile of Monaco and Godfrey Oboabona of Rizespur Turkey while fielding Paul Onobi of  Sunshine Stars  , Chima Akas of recently relegated Sharks of PortHarcourt and Abia Warriors Oboroakpor. It started like a blunder from the coach as eagles were unable to play coordinated football. They dominated and were unable to create clear cut chances.

After a scoreless first half, Moses Simon put Nigeria finally in front after 51 minutes courtesy of a sublime free kick before Celtic defender Efe Ambrose tapped home a second goal three minutes from time.

Phumlami Dlamini of Swaziland was sent off in the closing minutes of this intriguing match-up for a second booking.

As expected visiting Swaziland sat back in their defence, but Nigeria failed to break their resistance in the first 45 minutes or were very poor in their finishing.

Skipper Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Watford striker Odion Ighalo all had chances to calm the nerves of the big crowd at the Adokiye Amiesemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, but they failed to do so.

After half an hour, Ighalo was clear of goal but his shot with only the goalkeeper to beat screamed way off target.

But three minutes later, Swaziland came close to break the deadlock but Sandile Hlatwako, who scored a t brace against Djibouti in the previous round of the qualifiers, ballooned his shot from deep inside the Nigeria box.

Moses Simon’s superb free kick goal soon after the interval calmed many nerves after Sylvester Igbonu missed a sitter in the 47^th minute with the entire Swaziland defence including the goalkeeper at his mercy. His scoffed shot missed the target somehow.

Ighalo was full of endeavor but ineffective and in the 72^nd minute, Moses Simon had a chance to get a brace but his low shot from inside the box was firmly held by goalkeeper Gwebu.

Swaziland were not done yet as in the 83^rd minute, Ikeme made his biggest save of the day when he tipped away for a corner an audacious lob, which was heading for goal.

Efe Ambrose’s "striker's" goal in the 87^th minute off a free kick by Igbonu will then put the game beyond a resilient Swaziland side.
Nigeria is now through to the group stage of world cup qualifier.
Nigeria starting XI vs Swaziland - Carl Ikeme – Shehu Abdulahi, Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Efe Ambrose – Ogenyi Onazi, Paul Onobi, Sylvester Igbonu – Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa (Skipper)

Swaziland starting XI – Gwebu – Mandla Palma, Dlamini, Mdluli, Nxumalo, Mthunzi Mkhontfo, Dlamini, Njabulo, Sanele Mkhweli, Phumlami Dlamini, Hlatjwako