It was down to Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel supreme strikes in the second half to keep Nigeria’s hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification alive as they sweated out a 2-0 win over Congo on Saturday. Shortly after the victory, President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated the team for its gallantry and for keeping the hope of defending the cup in Equatorial Guinea alive.

A statement signed by Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati reads inter alia: “On behalf of all soccer loving Nigerians, the President heartily commends the Super Eagles for their winning performance in Pointe-Noire which has wiped away the disappointment of their earlier outings in the Nations Cup qualifying series and rekindled the belief of Nigerians in their national soccer team’s ability to bring further glory to the country.

“President Jonathan joins other Nigerians in looking forward to seeing the Super Eagles complete the task of qualifying to defend their title at the 2015 Nations Cup Finals with victory against South Africa in Uyo next week.

“He assures the Super Eagles and their handlers that they will have the fullest possible support of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for that final qualification match”.

A tight first half yielded few clear-cut chances, but the Nigeria made the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Emmanuel Emenike was brought down inside the box and Uche kept his cool from the spot.

Thievy Bifouma penalty for the hosts five minutes later was effectively parried away from causing harm to Nigeria by their in-form goal tender Vincent Enyeama and Samuel wrapped up the points with a tidy finish in the last minute, with angry home fans causing a slight delay when they threw missiles onto the pitch.

The result moves Nigeria into second place, with goal difference pushing them ahead of Congo heading into the final round of games in Group A.

Congo started brightly and saw Bifouma spurn two presentable chances inside the opening 10 minutes, while Fode Dore also skewed wide when well placed seven minutes before half-time. The visitors suffered an early blow after the interval when Hope Akpan went off injured, but they broke the deadlock soon after.

Congo goal keeper, Chancel Massa, fouled Emenike in the box and Uche beat the goalkeeper with a low finish into the bottom-left corner from 12 yards.

Congo were given a chance to level the scores with a penalty of their own after Godfrey Oboabona was adjudged to have handled a Prince Oniangue shot.