Kenya 1 - Namibia 0

Nairobi was the scene for Namibia's visit to Kenya.  Francis Kahata (pictured, red #20) provided the service on an early corner for Kenya, and defender David Owino swung a superb volley into the Namibia net to put Kenya ahead 1-0.  Kenya kept up their early pressure for good chunks of the opening half, but they could not extend their lead.  1-0 was the halftime score.

Namibia were good coming out of their locker room.  Jackob Pinehas came closest to the equalizer, but it was not to be.  Allan Wetende nearly doubled the Kenyan lead after they had withstood the Namibian pressure, but his strong effort from distance struck flush with the crossbar as he was being marked by Chris Katjiuka (pictured, white #12).  Kahata nearly sealed the match in stoppage time, but his shot went wide.  In spite of the miss, the Harambee Stars secure their only win of the campaign, 1-0.

Goals
Kenya
David Owino 5

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4522/kenya/2013/09/08/4247228/kenya-1-0-namibia-stars-finish-qualifiers-on-a-high

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3puSXxOwPPs

Nigeria 2 - Malawi 0

Nigeria were at home in Calabar to take on Malawi with Group F on the line.  Malawi needed to win to survive, otherwise Nigeria would win the group and advance to round three.  Malawi began the game in a defensive shell, seemingly hoping to catch Nigeria on the counter.  Malawi never found the opening in the first half, but Nigeria rarely were success with their own forays forward.  Ogenye Onazi was given a bit too much team with the ball at his feet, so he lofted a sublime pass from midfield into the box.  The pass found Emmanuel Emenike, who used his second touch to pop the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper to give Nigeria a lead in first half stoppage time.  The Super Eagles were ahead 1-0 after the first forty-five.

Malawi were forced to abandon their shell of safety
 and play football in the second half.  Nnamdi Oduamadi drew a penalty kick for the home side five minutes after the restart when Flames captain James Sangala brought him down inside the Malawi box.  Nigeria converted for a 2-0 cushion.  Malawi now needed three goals to survive, a task made nearly impossible after Limbikani Mzava was given his marching orders for Malawi for a second yellow card in minute 53.  Nigeria thereafter coasted to the finish line.  Nigeria win 2-0 to clinch the Group F title and a spot in the CAF Third Round.  Malawi are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria 12 pts IN
Malawi OUT
Namibia OUT
Kenya OUT

Goals
Nigeria
Emmanuel Emenike 45+1
Victor Moses 51 PK

Match Reports:
http://sport.ng.msn.com/local-football/nigeria-2-0-Malawi
http://allafrica.com/stories/201309090228.html
http://www.punchng.com/sports/nigeria-beat-malawi-2-0-advance-to-final-round/
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/82105/nigeria-vs-malawi/report?

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGC3Oznuefs

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGh-prv7MDg

Namibia 1 - Nigeria 1; Kenya 2 - Malawi 2

Blantyre was the site of the tilt between visiting Kenya and Malawi.  Malawi were looking to improve on their home form, which includes two draws in two chances during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Malawi's players were threatening to boycott the match over the issue of payment, but the match did take place as scheduled.  Malawi introduced a tactical double substitution, putting the influential Gabadhini Mhango on with twelve minutes left in the half.  At haltime, it was Malawi 0, Kenya 0.

Malawi were ahead in the first minute of play after the restart.  Robin Ngalande put the home side ahead, but Kenya pulled even six minutes later when a ball from Jamal Mohammed was scored by Andrew Murunga.  The host Flames took another lead with ten minutes to go behind a goal by Robert Ng'ambi.  Malawi looked likely to finally record a home victory.  However, an own goal in the final minute of play leveled the affair at two goals apiece.  Moses Chavula was trying to clear a long throw-in but instead directed the ball into his own net.  Malawi could not recover from their set back in the limited time remaining, so the match ends 2-2.  Malawi will now be ruing their lost chance as a Nigeria win later in the day would see Malawi eliminated with a match remaining.  However, if Nigeria fail to defeat Namibia, the final matchday would pit Malawi against Nigeria with the right to advance on the line.

Nigeria made the trip to Windhoek to take on Namibia.  A double save by Namibia goalkeeper Virgill Vries in the opening minute saved the crowd from a rude awakening.  A nifty back heel by Ahmed Musa put Anthony Ujah in with a shot on goal, but Ujah could only direct his ball at Vries.  Nnamdi Oduamadi was next to try his luck, but a scrambling Vries was able to push the ball off the line, from where the rebound was sent well off frame.  Nigeria were in complete control except on the scoreboard.  No goals were scored in the opening period.

Slowly but surely, Namibia began to establish themselves in the second half.  After Musa had just come close, Namibia caught the Super Eagles off guard.  A run by Petrus Shitembi led to a pass to Deon Kavendji that was sent on to Tangeni Shipahu.  Shipahu pushed wide to a running Shitembi, whose cross into the box was turned goalward off a volley by Kavendji to give Namibia the lead.  Nigeria were level six minutes later off a free kick from just beyond the half circle from centerback Godfrey Oboabona.  Vries did not read the ball well and was late to react, allowing the ball to get through his hands.  Nigeria escape with a 1-1 draw.  The result eliminates Namibia and means the September qualifier between Malawi and Nigeria will decide the Group F winner.

Nigeria 9 pts +2
Malawi 7 pts +1
Namibia OUT
Kenya OUT

Goals
Malawi
Robin Ngalande 46
Robert Ng'ambi 80

Kenya
Andrew Murunga 52
Moses Chavula 90 OG

Namibia
Deon Kavendji 77

Nigeria
Godfrey Oboabona 83

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/82107/malawi-vs-kenya/report?
http://www.nyasatimes.com/2013/06/12/malawi-draw-kenya-2-2-kaira-own-goal-deny-flames-victory/
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/82108/namibia-vs-nigeria/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hem3PNu-7Wk (Namibia v. Nigeria)

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)

Kenya 1 - Nigeria 1; Malawi 1 - Namibia 0

Namibia were home in Windhoek to take on Malawi.  Namibia were slow out of the gates, and this allowed Malawi to get comfortable in their foreign setting.  Fisher Kondowe had the first chance of the match for Malawi, but he sent his effort wide of goal.  Namibia had to clear a ball of the line before halftime, with Jamu Ngatjizeko saving his side from being down at the break.  As it was, the match was scoreless after the first period.

Malawi were waiting for a counterattack opportunity, and with twenty minutes to go, they had one.  Kondowe sent in a nice ball, and the beneficiary was Gabadin Mhango, who finished to give Malawi the opening goal.  Malawi's defense held firm and they saw out the match for a 1-0 victory.  Malawi dedicated the win to the son of their head coach, who had died the day before the match.

Calabar was the site chosen by Nigeria for their first match as the 2013 champions of Africa, a qualifier against Kenya.  The Super Eagles apparently had left their strongest game in South Africa, because they had an awful time dealing with Kenya.  Nigeria were on the attack early, but Victor Moses and company could not break the Kenyan defense.  In fact, it was Kenya that found the first goal after a foul from Elderson Echiejile gave Francis Kahata a free kick.  The lefty Kahata scooped the ball over the wall and into the upper ninety to put the Harambee Stars up 1-0.  Nigeria nearly equalized with a sneaky free kick play, but Sunday Mba's effort was smothered before it could do damage.  Kenya took a surprise 1-0 lead into their locker room.

Nigeria continued to be the more assertive side, but Obafemi Martins blew a close-range header after having been set up by a Moses cross.  In stoppage time, Nigeria had a throw-in deep in Kenyan territory, and the defense failed to deal with the ball.  A bicycle kick was scuffed, but Nnamdi Oduamadi was able to hit a half volley on frame to give the Super Eagles a last-ditch goal.  The 1-1 draw leaves Nigeria level on points with Malawi on top of the group table.

Nigeria 5 pts +1
Malawi 5 pts +1
Namibia 3 pts -1
Kenya 2 pts -1

Goals
Malawi
Gabadin Mhango 70

Kenya
Francis Kahata 36

Nigeria
Nnamdi Oduamadi 90+3

Match Reports:
http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/29315
http://allafrica.com/stories/201303251013.html
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000080088&story_title=Kenya-Stars-remain-last-as-Malawi-upset-Namibia-to-top-group-
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/78121/nigeria-vs-kenya/report
http://int.soccerway.com/news/2013/March/23/caf-world-cup-qualifying-nigeria-1-kenya-1/

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-piJeDjVbk (Kenya v. Nigeria)

Malawi 1 - Nigeria 1; Namibia 1 - Kenya 0

Nigeria made the trip to Blantyre to take on a solid Malawi side.  Group F is one that the Super Eagles looked destined to dominate, but their hosts were not privy to that knowledge.  Nigeria played better than their foes in the opening period, but no goals were found.

In the next period, the Super Eagles continued to show their superiority.  Finally, Ruben Gabriel (pictured, green) was able to put Nigeria on top with one minute left in the match.  However, Raheem Lawal lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Malawi to run up the field and score a stoppage time goal authored by John Banda, giving the home crowd reason to celebrate a 1-1 draw.  Nigeria were inconsolable in the locker room after the match with Lawal reduced to tears.

Namibia welcomed the Harambee Stars of Kenya to a battle in Windhoek.  The Brave Warriors trotted out a young side to face Kenya in the freezing temperatures.  Kenya were the first team to heat up, firing multiple shots from distance but gaining no reward.  Slowly but surely, Namibia started to gain traction.  The emphasis is on the word "slowly" as the half finished scoreless.

Nearing the end of the match, Namibia hit the crossbar via a Lazarus Kaimbi shot.  However, it was the only man above age thirty who ultimately struck gold for the home side.  Henrico Botes headed home the winning goal five minutes from time. Namibia win 1-0.

Nigeria 4 pts +1

Namibia 3 pts 0
Malawi 2 pts 0
Kenya 1 pts -1

Goals
Nigeria
Ruben Gabriel 89

Malawi
John Banda 90+2

Namibia
Henrico Botes 85

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110773.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111489.html

Nigeria 1 - Namibia 0

Nigeria began their journey in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a home match in Calabar against Namibia.  The match was played to honor Nigerian great Rashidi Yekini, who died in May.  The Nigerians looked as though they would score multiple goals in his honor, especially with the high level of play displayed by Ikechukwu Uche (pictured, green).  Uche's scissor kick attempt was saved off the line at the quarter hour mark.  In all Uche, had four clear chances at the opener in the first period, but the scoreboard remained 0-0.

After the resumption of play, Uche had another opportunity go begging, but with ten minutes left in the match came the breakthrough.  Uche finally got one to go into the net, giving the Super Eagles the lead they so desperately craved.  The 1-0 result would stand at the final whistle, and a relieved crowd went home with the knowledge that their Super Eagles now lead Group F by two points with five matchdays remaining.

Nigeria 3 pts +1

Malawi 1 pts 0

Kenya 1 pts 0

Namibia 0 pts -1

Goals

Nigeria
Ikechukwu Uche 80

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77988/nigeria-vs-namibia/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XdpQPV3J7g

Kenya 0 - Malawi 0

Play in Group F kicked off today in Nairobi as Kenya welcomed Malawi into the dojo. The first half saw multiple attacks by Kenya up the right side of the pitch, but cross after cross was cut out by Malawi's defense until Kevin Kimani had an open header which he sent just wide of the right post. The half ended uneventfully at 0-0.

In the second half, Malawi forced Kenyan goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch into a couple of diving saves to keep out well-hit headers.  The host Harambee Stars got nothing going at all in the second half, a drastic contrast from their dominance in the first forty-five.  Neither team was able to pip a goal, so the match ended up as a 0-0 draw.

Match Reports:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206040297.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206040299.html

http://www.savvykenya.com/2012/06/kenya-v-malawi-a-most-boring-0-0-draw/

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDe8LVpKECI