World Cup 2010 » Super Eagles soar to South Africa

Super Eagles soar to South Africa

A World Cup qualification campaign takes place over a lengthy period of time but sometimes it comes down to the final few minutes. All of the hard work and effort can be justified or let down by something that takes place in less time than it takes to boil an egg.

Nigeria are the latest nation to book their play at the 2010 World Cup but they left it late. The destiny of the Super Eagles was out of their own hands as they required a win and for Mozambique to defeat Tunisia. Losing the first goal to Kenya made their task even harder.

A second half-fight back saw Nigeria take the lead through strikes from Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Ayegbeni only for Kenya to equalise on 79 minutes and with the Mozambique game being a draw as well, the odds were getting higher against Nigeria with each passing moment.

Then things changed, Mozambique defeated Tunisia with a late strike and on 83 minutes, Obafemi Martins got his second of the match and Nigeria were in a qualifying position. They held on and can now look forward to their fourth appearance at a World Cup.

There was no Nigerian performance at the 2006 World Cup but 94, 98 and 2002 was brightened up by the team and their colourful supporters and given that this tournament is in their own continent, it can only be hoped that the Nigerian fanbase will be present in even larger numbers this time around.

Remind yourself of the fun that Nigeria brought to USA 94 with this video:

From 2014WorldCupBrazil