(MENAFN- The Peninsula) African champions Nigeria revived their hopes of qualifying for next year's Africa Cup of Nations when they defeated Sudan 3-1 in Abuja yesterday.
Nigeria have now climbed to third place in Group A with four points from as many matches.
South Africa lead the standings on seven points, while Congo are second with six points. Sudan are bottom with three points.
Next month Nigeria travel to Congo, before they host South Africa to round up their campaign for a place at the 2015 Nations Cup.
The Super Eagles opened the scoring after 48 minutes when Ahmed Musa latched on to a through ball by Mikel Obi, wiggled through the Sudan defence before he slid the ball home.
But Sudan restored parity in the 55th minute when Salah Ibrahim slotted home from a pass from inside the box.
China-based striker Aaron Samuel restored Nigeria's lead in the 66th minute when he stabbed home a loose ball after a mix-up between Sudan goalkeeper Akram El Hadi and his defender.
Musa got his brace in the 90th minute when he capitalised on another Sudan defensive lapse, rounded up another defender before he slotted home for Nigeria's third goal. Nigeria were at best disjointed in the first half as they attacked from the onset in front of theor ho0me fans at the Abuja National Stadium.
And it was the visitors who created the better chances on the counter attack in the first 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, early goals got Cameroon back on the winning trail in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying as they defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in Yaounde Wednesday.
Both came from close-range headers with Leonard Kweuke scoring on four minutes and captain Stephane Mbia three minutes later.
After starting Group D with victories over the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivory Coast during September, Cameroon were held 0-0 by Sierra Leone four days ago.
That draw was also played at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde with Sierra Leone ceding home advantage because of the Ebola epidemic.
Cameroon have 10 points from four games and will qualify for the finals if second-place Ivory Coast defeat DR Congo in Abidjan later Wednesday. The Indomitable Lions won the Cup of Nations title four times between 1984 and 2002, but failed to qualify for the last two editions.
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