Kanu, Yobo Weep, As Nigeria Book World Cup Place
Nigeria's dressing room at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi was a joyous scene of celebration, as several key stars like skipper Nwankwo Kanu and Everton defender Joseph Yobo broke down in tears of joy after the team dramatically snatched a World Cup ticket on the final day of the qualifiers.
According to Goal.com, top team official Peterside Idah said it was an unbelievable scene of celebration as both officials and the players rejoiced following their 3-2 victory over hosts Kenya, while Mozambique defeated Tunisia 1-0 to allow the Super Eagles sail through to next year's World Cup in South Africa.
Nigeria top Group Two with 12 points from six matches, a point more than erstwhile leaders Tunisia, while Mozambique are placed third on seven points and will feature at the Nations Cup in Angola, along with the Eagles and Tunisia. Kenya are bottom of the standings with three points.
"The dressing room was unbelievable. Kanu, Yobo, Mikel, they were all weeping tears of joy. A lot of them knew that this was their last chance of playing at the World Cup. This was a Kenyan miracle because a lot of people doubted our chances," Idah told the cable television Supersport after the match in Kenya.
"Even when things were not going well for us, the players kept their nerves and went on to score three goals away from home. Now we have to go back to the serious business of preparing for the Nations Cup early next year."
There were also celebrations on the streets of major cities across the country immediately after the country's qualification.
"Enugu is throwing a big victory party," reported sports journalist, Norbert Okolie. "Everywhere you go, the talk is about Nigeria's qualification to next year's World Cup. Even some weddings this weekend were disrupted by what was going on in faraway Kenya."
Nigeria got off to a nervous start against in the dramatic game as Kenya's Dennis Oliech scored the opening goal 16 minutes.
Nigeria had the opportunity to equalize in the first half but missed several chances.
Nigeria's supporters at the stadium had their spirits lifted after Nigeria's Obafemi Martins equalized on 62 minutes and Yakubu Aiyegbeni netted again just three minutes later.
Kenyan fans began throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch bringing the game to a halt briefly while the pitch was cleared of debris.
Meanwhile in Maputo the goalless deadlock was broken when Dario scored on 83 minutes.
But the goals were still coming in Nairobi. Harambee Stars equalized through Allan Wetende with just eleven minutes remaining.
But Obafemi Martins saved the day for the Super Eagles netting his 2nd goal of the game on 83 minutes.
Fans in Maputo began celebrating wildly as did Nigeria's loyal fans in Nairobi.
This will be Nigeria's fourth appearance at the World Cup finals. They qualified in 1994, 1998 and in 2002.
