Nigeria qualify, Tunisia out

Nairobi - Nigeria's Super Eagles on Saturday came from behind to beat Kenya 3-2 in an African World Cup qualifier to advance to next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The West Africans benefited from a Tunisian slip-up in Mozambique, where the game ended in a 1-0 victory for the home side to see Nigeria top Group B with 12 points from the Tunisians, who finished on 11.

In Nairobi the home side took the lead in the 16th minute when Auxerre-based striker Dennis Oliech played a quick one-two with Emmanuel Ake to push the ball beyond Vincent Enyeama.

Oliech had a chance to make it two shortly before the break, but Enyeama pulled off a magnificent save to deny the forward. Oliech also had a strong penalty appeal turned down shortly afterwards.

The Super Eagles pulled level just after the hour when substitute Obafemi Martins scored after being set up by Peter Odemwingie.

Just four minutes later Aiyegbeni Yakubu found the net for the second time for the West Africans to put Nigeria into the driving seat.

In the 79th minute, Allan Wettende found an equalizer for the Harambee Stars, who needed to win the game to stand a chance of qualifying for the African Nations Cup in Angola.

Martins scored his second with six minutes to go to give his side the all-important victory.

In Maputo Tunisia sat back for most of the game, hoping that a draw would be enough for them, but when word came through late in the game that Nigeria had scored, the North Africans threw men forward in search of a winning goal.

Mozambique punished the visitors with three minutes to go when Tico Tico sent Dario through and although his first effort was well- blocked, he managed to latch on to the rebound for the only goal of the game.

The victory sees Mozambique finish third in the group with seven points and take the final qualifying place for the African Nations Cup.