Nigeria on their way to Brazil 2014 with win

NIGERIA 2 ETHIOPIA 0

(Nigeria win 4-1 on aggregate)

Nigeria - Moses 20' (pen), Obinna 82'

Man of the match - Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)

CALABAR, NIGERIA // Nigeria qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after beating Ethiopia 2-0 at home on Saturday in the second leg of their decisive play-off to go through 4-1 on aggregate.

Victor Moses gave Nigeria the lead after 20 minutes when he tucked away a penalty after Anyalem Hailu handled the ball inside his area, and substitute Victor Obinna doubled Nigeria’s lead on 82 minutes when he fired home a free kick to kill off the game and the tie.

The reigning African champions thus march on to their fifth World Cup finals having also featured at the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 tournaments.

But the Super Eagles’ display yesterday inside the packed 15,000-capacity UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar was laboured and, until Obinna’s late goal, Ethiopia were still in with a chance.

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa said it was a dream come true to qualify for what will be his first World Cup, but he blamed the hot weather for the team’s subdued outing.

“I thank God for the World Cup ticket, it is a dream come true for me. It has been my dream to go to the World Cup and I have made it,” said the CSKA Moscow forward.

“We would have done a lot better today, but the weather was hot and this worked against us.”

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Efe Ambrose now hopes Nigeria can shine in Brazil, saying: “I am happy to be part of this history making. My target is now to help my country do well at the World Cup.”

Ambrose came close for Nigeria right at the start of the game and goalkeeper Sisay Bancha then made a one-handed save from Emmanuel Emenike from 10 yards out as the home team pressed for an early opening goal.

Ethiopia’s Saladin Said then saw a shot from a tight angle flash across the face of goal before Moses calmly dispatched his penalty to put Nigeria ahead after Hailu was penalised.

Only a good Bancha save prevented Moses from scoring another goal on the half-hour, before the goalkeeper again denied Nigeria when he got a hand to Onazi’s left-footed shot in the 43rd minute.

Ethiopia had set their stall out to defend in the first half, but they came out of their shell after the interval and had a penalty appeal turned down in the 51st minute before Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a brave save at the feet of Shemeles Bekele as they continued to fight for the equaliser.

Ethiopia attacked and played with greater urgency in the closing minutes, but they lacked the bite to really trouble the home defence, and their hopes were ended when the power on Obinna’s late free kick proved too much for Bancha.