Nigeria win qualifying opener

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First half goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Obinna Nwaneri gave Nigeria a comfortable 2-0 win over South Africa in their FIFA World Cup™ African zone Group Four qualifier in Abuja on Sunday.

Uche scored inside the first 10 minutes, climbing over the South African defence to head home a cross by John Utaka. Nwaneri scored in stoppage time at the end of the first half with another powerful header.

Nigeria toiled with their timid opponents in soaring heat and humidity which ensured the game was played at a pedestrian pace. The win was only the second in a competitive outing this year for Nigeria, who had a disappointing CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana earlier this year.

"We are back again and we've sent out a message that whoever is going to play Nigeria is going to find it tough," said Portsmouth striker Nwankwo Kanu, a second-half substitute.

South Africa were restricted to several long range efforts, all of which sailed over the top of the goal.

Both teams play again next weekend with South Africa hosting Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria visiting Sierra Leone.

As hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa have already qualified for the finals but are participating in the preliminaries as they also serve as qualifiers for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.

FIFA.com - Nigeria win qualifying opener

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Highlights of this game: YouTube - Nigeria Vs South Africa -June 1-2008 (Garri Edition)