Martins brace seals qualification for Nigeria

Obafemi Martins came off the substitute’s bench to score a priceless brace to help Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 and snatch a 2010 World Cup ticket that looked all but gone to Tunisia.
The North Africans did not help their cause by losing 0-1 to Mozambique in Maputo on a dramatic day of Group B qualifying.

Going into the final round of games, the Super Eagles trailed Tunisia by two points, and needed to win against Kenya to have any hope of profiting from a Tunisia slip up.

But the Eagles, who have made hard work of this campaign, made things even tougher for themselves when they went a goal behind after just 15 minutes.

Some slick Kenyan passing sliced open the Nigerian defence and Denis Oliech strode in to tuck away past Vincent Enyeama and beyond Joseph Yobo's desperate last ditch attempt to clear.

Nigeria were forcing thei way into the Kenyan area and creating half chances but failing to finish, and coach Shuaibu Amodu threw on Obafemi Martins in the second half.

That proved to be the turnng point. The impressive John Mikel Obi launched a superb ball into the area, and Osaze Odemwingie, ubiquitous as ever, cushioned his header into the path of Martins, who threw himself at the ball to draw Nigeria level.

Yakubu, who had missed a simple chance in the first half, made amends. Obinna Nsofor squeezed off a shot but the miscued ball fell invitingly for the Yak. His first effort came off the post, but the Everton striker made no mistake with his second effort.

But dreadful defending allowed Kenya back into the game. Allan Watende was allowed all the time in the world to meet a teasing cross with a powerful header, and it was as you were again.

Martins, however, showed how valuable he was when he tracked a Kenyan counter attack all the way into his half, then arrived in the box to acrobatically squeeze in a throw-in with the outside of his foot.

And the team could celebrate, and play for the final whistle when word came in that Dario Monteiro had given Mozambique an 83rd minute lead in Maputo.

That game went on to 9 minutes of additional time, but Tunisia failed to find a goal, and Nigeria held on to join Ghana and Ivory Coast on the trip to South Africa.