Two goals from CSKA forward Ahmed Musa against Iceland on Friday evening was the revival tonic the Super Eagles have to keep their journey at the World Cup alive after a 2-0/win against Iceland at the Novgorod stadium in Russia.
Aside the superlative performance and the outcome, it was Super Eagles first win at the World cup since the lone goal win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the second group match at the last edition of the tournament in Brazil since Nigeria failed to win any match at the 2010/edition in South Africa in 2010.
But against Iceland, goals in the 49th and 75th minutes gave Nigeria a ray of hope to reach the knock out phase after advancing from bottom to second position on the log.
Unlike in the opening match, the Super Eagles controlled the match apparently with the 3-5-3 formation deployed by coach Berth Rohr but failed to convert the chances in the first half.
But on resumption, the tide favoured Nigeria as early as the 49th minute after Musa converted a pullout from Victor Moses in a counter attack that beats the goalie hands down.
The other goal was a solo effort from Musa late in the match to put the match beyond the reach of Icelandic team.
Although they had the opportunity to reduce the tally off penalty which was lost, Nigeria still proved the better side to increase the tally.
The final group match comes up on Tuesday against last edition finalist, Argentina, and a draw should Iceland fail to beat group leader, Croatia, will see Nigeria through to the knockout phase of the competition.
