Italy-Nigeria Preview: 8:45 PM WAT Craven Cottage — London

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Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike


Nigeria will hope to celebrate becoming the first African team to qualify for the World Cup with a win over Italy on Monday.


The two sides face each other in an international friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage, and the Nigerians will undoubtedly be in buoyant mood after sealing their spot at Brazil 2014 with a 2-0 success against Ethiopia in Calabar on Saturday.

Goals from Victor Moses and Victor Obinna sealed a 4-1 aggregate victory, ensuring that the Africa Cup of Nations holders would qualify for their fifth finals in their last six attempts.
The win capped an excellent qualifying campaign for Stephen Keshi's side, who went unbeaten throughout their eight matches.
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Victory against Italy would put the seal on a successful 2013, following on from February's triumph over Burkina Faso in the ACN final.

Defender Godfrey Oboabona was taken off on a stretcher 10 minutes into the second half of Saturday's game and could be a doubt for the trip to London.

They face an Italy side who were equally impressive in qualifying, as Cesare Prandelli's outfit also went unbeaten with six wins and four draws from their 10 fixtures in Group B of the European section.

Italy were given a stern test on Friday by Germany, who went in front at San Siro through Mats Hummels before AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate earned his side a 1-1 draw to maintain Italy's record of having not lost to the Germans since 1995.

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