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Ahmed Musa struck nine minutes from time to give African champions Nigeria a crucial 1-0 victory over Kenya in their 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The victory took Nigeria to the top of Group F with eight points after four games with Kenya, almost virtually out of contention, on two points.
Nigeria, who were crowned African champions earlier in the year beating outsiders Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations final, have a two point lead over Malawi, who were disappointingly held 0-0 at home by Namibia on Wednesday.
Both sides entered the match weakened as the Nigerians had clocked up 20,000 air miles in a round trip that saw them play Mexico before going back to a training camp in Germany and then arrived in Nairboi via Addis Ababa.
The hosts were missing key players, goalkeeper Arnold Origi and striker and skipper Dennis Oliech through suspension.
Nigeria looked set to drop another two points – they had drawn two of their previous three qualifiers – but Musa, who has just completed the Russian double with his club CSKA Moscow, popped up to shoot hime after catching the Kenyan defence napping.
The African champions, who drew 1-1 in their home game with the Kenyans, had started the match brightly, going close with two dangerous efforts.
John Mikel Obi wasted a good opportunity in the second minute and Musa also blasted wide his chance as the visitors took the early initiative.
From then on the match became a turgid midfield battle, with the Kenyans being forced to play long balls to try and outwit the Nigerians.
Nigeria play Namibia next up before heading off for the Confederations Cup in Brazil which gets underway on June 15.
aik/pi
