Kanu scored twice for Nigeria

Nigeria's Super Eagles remain on course for Nations Cup qualification with a convincing 4-1 win over the Flames of Malawi in Abuja.

The Super Eagles had a rather shaky start, as the Malawians took initial control of the match.

The visitors efforts brought dividends in the 8th minute, as Esau Kanyenda's strike put the southern Africans ahead.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama's failure to hold the shot stunned Nigeria's 45,000 fans into silence.

But it did not take too long for the Super Eagles potent strike force to respond.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni rounded 'keeper Philip Nyasulu in the 10th minute to draw Nigeria level.

Aiyegbeni, who has shown consistent form with newly promoted English premiership club Portsmouth, got his second of the game six minutes later.

Nwankwo Kanu increased the Super Eagles tally in the 22nd minute and got his brace thirteen minutes later, as he dribbled past the Flames defence to give the Nigerians an unassailable lead.

Malawi could do little to get back into the game, as the Super Eagles defence gave their strike force little room in which to operate.

Their frustration resulted in a yellow card for Russell Mwafulirwa, who kicked Nigerian defender Ifeanyi Udeze.

In the second half, Goalkeeper Philip Nyasulu did a good job of keeping Malawi's loss within respectable levels, stopping goal bound shots from Perugia striker Christian Obodo.