Nigeria could take a huge step toward securing a place at the 2014 World Cup by beating Namibia away from home on Wednesday. Stephen Keshi’s side currently hold a two-point lead in CAF qualification group F and, should they win in Windhoek, may only need to avoid defeat against second-placed Malawi in September to reach Brazil. Nigeria have won just two of their four qualification games thus far, but also boast an unbeaten record during that period.
One of those victories came in their home meeting with Namibia, as a late goal from Ikechukwu Uche helped the hosts to three points back in June. Namibia have won, drawn and lost in their three qualifying fixtures since then, and sit four points short of top spot in Group F as a result. However, they could blow the group wide open with a victory against the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions, though they will need to add to the solitary goal they have scored thus far if they are to do so.
Although Nigeria are not exactly prolific, having scored four times across four fixtures, all of their goals have come from different scorers.
And they may need to spread the goals out again on Wednesday, with Sunday Mba and Ahmed Musa the top scorers at international level in the current squad despite having both only notched five times.
Namibia are bidding to reach their first-ever World Cup finals, while Nigeria have been present on four occasions, including in South Africa in 2010.
The hosts will be without coach Roger Palmgren, however, after he quit the role this week following death threats.
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