WC Qualifer: Simon, Ambrose Hands Eagles Victory

The Super Eagles of Nigeria sailed through to the next round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after a hard fought 2-0 victory over Swaziland today, November 17, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Goals from Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose in the second half handed Super Eagles victory against ten-man Swaziland.
Naij.com was live at the stadium to bring you coverage of the game. Read our coverage below.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are battle-ready for crucial encounter against the Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland in an all-important second-leg of the first round of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier.
Sequel to their 0 – 0 draw away to Swaziland in the first leg on Friday November 13, Sunday Oliseh’s
‘boys’ will have to ensure nothing but victory in the encounter to be played at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Team List: 
Nigeria Starting XI: 16. Carl ikeme (GK), 5. Efe Ambrose, 7. Ahmed Musa (C) , 8. Odion ighalo, 11. Simon Moses, 12. Shehu Abdullahi, 14. Igboun Sylvester, 17. Ogenyi Onazi, 18. Onobi Paul, 20. Akas Chima, 21. Obaroakpo Austine
Substitutes: 1. Ezenwa Ikechukwu Vincent (GK), 2. Oboabona Godfrey, 3. Echiejile Elderson, 4. Ndidi Onyinye, 6. Alimi Jamiu, 9. Obafemi Martins, 10. John Obi Mikel, 13. Okogbue Kalu Orji, 15. Kelechi Iheanacho, 19. Alex iwobi, 22. Ezekiel Bassey, 23. Alampasu Dele (GK)

Eagles pray as prepare for the encounter

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FT’ Nigeria 2 – 0 Swaziland. The Super Eagles two goals coming from set pieces. They are through to the next round of the 2018 World Cup qualifier. The fans have encroached the pitch.
90+3′ Ikeme makes a fine save again to deny Swaziland.
90+2′ Sabelo booked for a foul on Bassey while Onobi is booked for a silly tackle too.
90+1′ Martins takes the freekick but its straight at the wall.
90′ RED CARD! The Swaziland man is booked again and sent off for that dangerous tackle. Three minutes of added time to be played.
89′ FREEKICK to Nigeria as Onazi is dangerous tackled by Phumlami.
87′ GOALLLLLLL!!!! Efe Ambrose doubles Nigeria’s lead after a delightful freekick from Igboun. 2-0
86′ SUB! Akas OUT, Echiejile IN
85′ YELLOW CARD! Phumlami booked for a foul on Bassey.
83′ BIG CHANCE! Swaziland! Ikeme produces a fine save to deny Swaziland an equalizer. Super Eagles living dangerous in the final minutes of this game.
81′ SUB! Swaziland! Menzi IN! Mthunzi OUT
80′ BIG BLOW! SUB! Nigeria! Moses Simon is stretched out after picking up an inury, on comes Enyimba’s Ezekiel Bassey.
78′ HANDBALL! Martins handles the ball in the six yard box and the referee gives Swaziland a freekick.
77′ GLORIOUS CHANCE! Nice move from the Super Eagles, Moses Simon plays in Martins who tees up Ighalo, the Watford striker shoots but the goalie produces a fine save. That was close! Super Eagles fighting hard to get a second to seal the victory.
75′ SUB! Musa OUT, Martins IN. His first home appearance after two years. He’s given a loud ovation by the fans.
72′ BIG CHANCE! Ighalo who has been exceptional in this game, plays a defense-splitting pass to Moses Simon who is through on goal but the GENT man effort is straight at the goalie. WHAT A CHANCE!
70′ BIG CHANCE! Nigeria counter and the long ball meets Musa, he tees up Onazi who easily beats his marker but his shot is straight at the goalie.
67′ SUB! Swaziland! Sabelo OUT, Zweli IN
65′ PENALTY CALL! Onazi goes down in the box but the ref waves play on. Replay shows he wasn’t brought down.
63′ YELLOW CARD! Efe Ambrose booked for a silly foul.
62′ HALF CHANCE! Ahmed Musa with a delightful ball from the wing to pick out goalscorer Simon but the FC GENT man volleys his effort over the bar. Nice effort!
60: YELLOW CARD! Swazi’s captain Mduli is booked for a silly tackle on Igboun
58′ Nigeria 1 – 0 Swaziland
54′ HALF CHANCE! Abdullahi swings in a good ball from the right, it meets Ighalo but the striker directs the ball with his chest straight at the goalie.
52′ GOALLLLLLLL!!!! Moses Simon curls it in to open the scoring for the Super Eagles. What a goal!
51′ FREEKICK Nigeria, Igboun brought down in a dangerous position. Moses standing over this.
49′ Again! Ighalo turns well to beat his marker, tees up Moses Simon but his effort is blocked.
47′ WHAT A CHANCE! Ighalo did everything well at the right hand side, tees up Igboun who flashes his shot narrowly wide from close range. Closest the Super Eagles have come in this game
46′ Swaziland gets the second half underway. No changes made from both sides.
HT: Nigeria 0 – 0 Swaziland
45+2′ Onazi with a beautiful turn in the midfield, plays a nice ball to Musa who crosses but its cleared. Linesman spots an infringement before the cross and gives Swaziland a freekick. Still 0-0.
45′ Delay tactics maybe as the Swazi’s goalie is down. Two minutes of added time to be played.
43′ It’s taken by Musa but again cleared. Too many corner kicks for Nigeria but still no goal.
42′ Moses Simon wins a freekick for Nigeria, it’s taken but it’s cleared for a corner kick. Nigeria seventh corner in this game.
40′ Five minutes left to be played. Nigeria 0 – 0 Swaziland.
39′ PENALTY CALL! Abdullahi swings a dangerous ball from the right, it meets Ighalo who brings it down well with his chest, but he’s hacked down as he was about the pull the trigger. Referee waves play on!
38′ Simon tries a long ball to pick out lone striker Ighalo but the Swazi’s keeper rushes out of his line to claim.
35′ More pressure from Nigeria as Musa tees up Simon but the midfielder’s effort is blocked. Can the Super Eagles break the deadlock before half time?
34′ BIG CHANCE! A freekick is swung in and it drops kindly for the Swazis but its volleyed off target.
32′ Half Chance! Igboun flashes a shot narrowly wide
31′ BIG CHANCE! Sunshine Stars Paul Onobi plays a defense splitting pass to Ighalo but the striker miscues his volley and its off target.
29′ Ahmed Musa embarks on a dashing run at the right, he wins a corner for his effort. The corner is taken but again Obaroakpo Austine heads well over the bar.
27′ Swaziland doing just enough to frustrate the Super Eagles. If the scoreline remains this way after 120 minutes, then we will be having penalty shootout.
25′ Swaziland win its first corner of the game. Its swung in and a header comes in but it’s well over the bar.
22′ Ighalo embarks on a dashing run at the right, beats one, beats two but he’s quickly crowded by the Swazi’s defense. The Watford striker is easily dispossessed and the referee waves play on.
20′ Moses Simon swings in a corner, its cleared but drops kindly for Onazi who blazes his effort well over the bar.
18′ Musa beats his marker down the left hand flag but his cross doesn’t pick out anyone in the box.
15′ The Swazi’s are gradually getting into the game as they are trying the long ball to pick out their lone striker upfront.
13′ OFFSIDE Swaziland!
12′ BIG CHANCE! Ighalo again tees up Simon but the midfielder’s effort is straight at the Swazi’s goalie. That was close!
10′ Nigeria 0 – 0 Swaziland
8′ HALF CHANCE! Chima Akas blazes his effort well over the bar after beautiful piece of play from Ighalo. The Super Eagles are on the front-foot.
6′ HALF CHANCE! Moses Simon plays a delightful pass to Ahmed Musa who is through on goal but the Swazi’s goalkeeper rushes out of his line to make a fine clearance.
5′ Nigeria just passing the ball around looking for that opening in the Swazi’s defense.

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Carl Ikeme stepping out for the crucial cracker (PHOTO CREDIT: Babajide Orevba)

4′ It’s taken but Obaroakpo Austine heads well over the bar.
3′ Odion Ighalo dazzles two defenders and forces the first corner for Nigeria.

Onazi stepping out for the game (PHOTO CREDIT: Babajide Orevba)

1: The game is underway. The Super Eagles look very bright this sunny afternoon. The stands here is almost filled to the brim.

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