Sports Ahmed Musa's Brace - Hope For Nigeria's Qualification For The 2015 African Nations Cup

On the day that he is celebrating his birthday, Ahmed Musa helped Nigeria's cause by scoring a brace in the Super Eagles 3-1 victory over Sudan in their 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

It was a result many Nigerian fans craved for,and the Super Eagles would temporarily feel some respite with the outcome of the match.

The Super Eagles had no choice other than to beat the Sudanese, as anything other than a win wouldn't have been acceptable.

Previously bottom of group A with just one point, the Super Eagles have by virtue of the win now climbed to third position with four points.

Having faced scathing criticisms in the past few days, it was obvious that the jury would have been on full throttle if the three points weren't secured.

It was apparent that all three points was the ultimate goal for the Super Eagles going by the way they approached the match.

Going by the importance of the fixture, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi ringed four changes from his starting eleven that started the last game in Khartoum, two players were handed their debuts, all in a bid to effect some changes in the team's fortunes.

Right from the start, the Nigerian players showed urgency and desire to redeem themselves amongst the fans.

Penetrating runs were made and a lot of energy was exerted, however the Nigerian players initially lacked a clear sight of goal.

With the rains pouring down in torrents in the first half, the Super Eagles somehow lost their bearing.

Nigeria's first real chance of the game came to Hope Akpan who with a sight of clear goal rather blazed his efforts way over the post.

Mikel too came close for Nigeria, collecting a pass from Emmanuel Emenike but his effort only ended up in the hands of the Sudanese goalkeeper.

Sudan had a game-plan, soak up the pressure and stifle the Super Eagles, then hit them on the break as is paramount with away teams.

However, the best opportunity in the first half fell to the Sudanese, Kenneth Omeruo was caught unaware as Bakri was allowed free access into Nigeria's rear guard, but he missed the glorious chance to have scored.

He was the one who got the solitary goal in Khartoum last week, and came close to punishing the Super Eagles again.

And in the second half it was Nigeria who started the brighter of both team, getting their noses in front early on.

Mikel with a brilliant work in the middle skipped past two players to lay in a through ball to Ahmed Musa, and the CSKA Moscow forward made no mistakes as he slotted in the opener.

A huge sigh of relief was breathed over the stadium but it didn't last long as the Sudanese leveled not long after Nigeria's goal.

Emenike gave away a careless free-kick with Sudan immediately taking it and capitalizing. Bakri found space down the right squaring in a pass for Salah Ibrahim 'Jizoli' to toe-poke for the equaliser.

Heads fell but the Super Eagles pushed on for another lead. With the introduction of Omatsone Aluko, some pace and precision was brought into the team.

Aaron Samuel redeemed Keshi's faith in inviting him,by netting the second goal, capitalizing on a Sudanese defensive mix-up to bundle in a goal for Nigeria.

The win was complete when Musa grabbed his second of the game, stealing possession and going solo to belt in a third insurance goal for the Super Eagles .

The ecstasy on the bench summed it all as a jubilant Keshi held but hands up, displaying the joy of a relieved man under immense pressure.

Nigeria may not have qualified for the Nations Cup just yet, but the win in Abuja gives them belief that they can still it around in the remaining two fixtures.

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