Nigeria 1 - Kenya 0; Namibia 0 - Malawi 0

Malawi and the famed artificial home turf of Blantyre welcomed Namibia in a match Malawi needed to win in order to place pressure upon great favorites Nigeria.  In spite of featuring most of their South African-based starters, Malawi were unable to penetrate the Namibian defense, and the first half ended scoreless.

Both teams were strong defensively, and nary a shot was to be found in this match.  Perhaps this is to be expected from Group F play, which after eight matches has produced a whopping total of eight goals.  None of those were scored in this match as Malawi and Namibia draw 0-0.

Nairobi and a confident Kenya side welcomed the 2013 African champions Nigeria into town.  The Harambee Stars were bursting with confidence after their draw away to Nigeria in March, but the absence of star striker Dennis Oliech and first team goalkeeper Arnold Origi due to yellow cards dampened their spirits a tad.  The inexperience of backup goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng nearly cost Kenya in the second minute as his clearance was scooped up by Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa, who laid the ball across the box for forward Brown Ideye, but the resulting shot was wide of goal.  Elderson Echiejile (pictured, green) at left back for Nigeria did well to contain Francis Kahata, the goal scorer for Kenya back in March throughout the match.  Kenya star winger Vincent Wanyama had a good chance at goal at the end of the half, but it was not to be.  The half ended as it had begun, with no goals on the scoreboard.

Kenya lost all attacking impetus in the second period when Wanyama was slowed due to injury.  to Nigeria found the breakthrough with ten minutes left in regulation through an Efe Ambrose through ball clearance from seventy yards out onto which latched Ahmed Musa.  Musa was able to fight off David Ochieng (pictured, white) and loft a twenty-yard chip shot over an onrushing Duncan Ochieng, and the ball took a couple bounces on its way into the net.  Nigeria hold on and win 1-0 to take the lead in Group F.  The loss has eliminated Kenya from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria 8 pts +2
Malawi 6 pts +1
Namibia 4 pts -1
Kenya OUT

Goals:
Nigeria
Ahmed Musa 81

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-ke/match/82110/kenya-vs-nigeria/report
http://www.nigerianeye.com/2013/06/world-cup-qualifier-nigeria-1-0-kenya.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cgxVVbQoZs (Nigeria v. Kenya)