Moses Kpakor hails Eagles performance

Nigeria's 2-0 defeat of South Africa in Wednesday's Mandela Challenge friendly has continued to draw praise from a cross-section of former players who have heaped praise on the Super Eagles.

Former international, Moses Kpakor has commended the effort of the Super Eagles and advised them not to rest on their oars as more important matches are in the horizon.

Kpakor, who was a member of the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations silver-winning squad, hopes the Super Eagles can continue in this impressive form when it matters most.

"I'll not attach too much importance to the win but I must say I'm very impressed with the level of play especially in the second half," he told supersport.com

"The boys looked compact in defence and I hope they translate this to the much important tie with Malawi.

"Another positive in the game is that it showed we are gradually getting the core of the team and there is also quality coming off the bench."

The former BCC Lions skipper hoped that certain areas can be taken care of before the run in to the Fifa World Cup in Brazil gathers heat.

"I usually don't like singling out players in a team, but I felt we missed Mikel. The attackers were starved of the ball especially in the first half.

"Ameobi was isolated upfront, and didn't get enough through balls from the midfield to bother the South Africans.

"The creativity in the middle was missing, but that was corrected in the second half when Moses and Musa were introduced, their pace helped open up the Bafana Bafana defence and that was how we got our goals.

"I wish the team well as they prepare for the all important game against Malawi. Coach Stephen Keshi and the NFF have done well," Kpakor, who just bagged a Bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics and Health Education added.

Nigeria beat South Africa on Wednesday in the Mandela Challenge friendly at the Moses Madhiba Stadium courtesy of two second half goals by VVV-Venlo forward Uche Nwofor.