Following the 3 - 1 mauling of the Desert Foxes of Algeria by the Super Eagles of Nigeria Saturday at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, the Super Eagles have put themselves in pole position to qualify from the group of death in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
Sportwand took a yeoman's peep into the showdown and picked out five glaring things that we have learnt from that match.
Moses finally learning to replicate his club form for the Eagles
Victor Moses' man of the match performance on the pitch Saturday shows that the man is literally on fire.
Moses has pioneered Chelsea's resurgence in the EPL with his current form many thanks to his new role in the current Chelsea formation.
He pounced on a defensive hoodoo to finish off an attack he initiated with his direct running and dribbling to send Nigeria into an advantageous lead earlier in the match.
He also slotted in calmly at the dieing minutes of the game to send the fans into an ecstasy. He has also upped his defensive capabilities which helped inhibit Mahrez's damage.
Conte was wrong about Mikel
Antonio Conte has not featured Mikel even in a single match since his return from the Rio Olympics where he won bronze.
This is really a shame on Conte's side following the energy we witnessed in the middle of the park and the calmness he brought to the Eagles' midfield.
The midfielder brought leadership and great combination with Etebo and Onazi to deny the star-studded Algerian midfield foothold on the ball.
Looking at the way Mikel played in that match, one would just wonder what on earth is stopping Mikel's name from being listed even on the Chelsea bench on match days.
SEE ALSO: RHOR WAS RIGHT ABOUT MIKEL
Team spirit was our match winner
The kind of team spirit that played out before and during the match was something the Eagles have not seen in along while.
We witnessed the determination of our players even from the way they marshalled out with zeal to the pitch even long before the start if every training session.
On the field of play, we witnessed that zeal and dedication that always characterized our highflying Super Eagles.
I wish the Eagles will keep up this new found love and dedication for the national team. Many thanks to Gernot Rhor.
Balogun brings consistency to our defence
Leon was a mainstay in the Eagles defence snuffing out dangers from the Algerian attack. He was handy to deny Mahrez on several occasions.
His aeriel prowess also helped steady the set pieces hoodoo we have always seen in our defence.
I think we have gotten a great pair of central defenders in Ekong and Balogun.
Rhor still needs to reconsider his goalkeeping options
With the absence of Carl Ikeme due to injury, Akpeyi was called upon to man our post.
He did his best but a closer analysis of the match would expose his unsteadiness and shots taken from a distance were always a challenge for him.
Many thanks to our central defenders. We would have witnessed more goals against Nigeria if not for their consistency.
The Eagles turn to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for a back to back encounter.
