Nigeria will look to establish a stranglehold on first place in Group F in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers when it takes on Kenya on Wednesday.
Nigeria currently sits atop the group with five points. The winner of the group moves on to the third stage of qualifying where it will be drawn into a two-legged matchup with another group winner. The winner of both legs will then book a spot in the World Cup finals next summer.
After winning the Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigerians have been hailed as the uncontested favorites in this group. However they still have a ton of work to do to clinch a berth in the third round. The team is currently atop the group thanks to scoring more goals than Malawi; both clubs are tied in points and have a +1 goal differential.
Nigeria won its first game against Namibia thanks to an 80th minute tally from Ikechukwu Uche. However, the team was unable to pull off any other victories in its more recent matches. Reuben Gabriel scored the lone Nigerian goal in a 1-1 draw with Malawi and Oduamadi scored a late stoppage time goal to give Nigeria a 1-1 draw with Kenya.
Kenya currently sits in last place with only two points and would essentially be eliminated from contention with a loss to Nigeria. The team drew 0-0 with Malawi in its opening before losing 1-0 to Namibia in the second game. The late goal conceded against Nigeria in the recent match is the difference between a tie for second place and last place in the group.
Prediction: Nigeria manages a 2-0 win.
Start Time: 9 AM EST
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