Chelsea’s Nigeria internationals Victor Moses and Mikel John Obi combined for all three of Nigeria’s goals in the Super Eagles’ win over Algeria. Algeria played a strong game, but the goals came too easily.
You know Nigeria is having a particularly good day when Mikel John Obi puts himself on the scoresheet. Mikel did it in the Olympics, and he added another in the Super Eagles’ 3-1 win over Algeria. His Chelsea teammate Victor Moses scored a brace in put Nigeria well atop their group in World Cup qualifying.
The goals and the win will add to the momentum propelling both Victor Moses’ and Mikel John Obi’s careers at Chelsea. Moses is among the Premier League’s top wing-backs, despite having only played that position for the last five games. Moses is the stalking horse candidate for Chelsea’s player of the year, despite sharing the pitch with an in-form Diego Costa and world-class Eden Hazard.
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The closest thing to certainty Mikel has at Chelsea is an imminent departure. The conversation was once “where will Mikel John Obi fit into Antonio Conte’s system.” It has since shifted to “where will Mikel John Obi transfer in the upcoming window.”
Mikel’s performance against Algeria will only reinforce the accusations of ill-treatment from Nigeria’s coach and the Super Eagles’ supporters. Mikel is his national side’s captain, leader and near-legend. His fans will continue to see ill-will if he comes off a performance like yesterday’s and then is not even named to upcoming Chelsea squads.
Moses opened the scoring within the half hour. He broke towards the top of the box as he collected a pass from Mikel. Moses’ marker nicked the ball away, but Algeria’s centre-back deflected the ball right back to Moses. Continuing his run unabated, Moses rifled his shot past an irate Rais M’Bolhi.
If M’Bolhi thought his defenders left him out to dry on the opening goal, he could not have imagined what was coming in the 42nd minute. Mikel John Obi hovered in the striker’s position as Nigeria cycled the ball. Three of Algeria’s defenders moved up towards the ball, apparently thinking they were leaving Mikel off-side. But Mikel stayed level with Algeria’s left-back.
Mikel received a perfectly slotted ball behind the defence. All the defenders raised their hands for offsides. Even Mikel paused to look at the touchline official. When he saw the flag was down, he whipped his shot to M’Bolhi’s right for a 2-0 lead.
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Moses closed out the day in the first minute of stoppage time with a much less comical goal than the first two. The win sets Nigeria four points ahead of second-place Cameroon in their qualifying group. Nigeria faces Cameroon in their next World Cup qualifier. A win would ensure the Super Eagles advance.