He said he was desperate to explode and he did just that. Super Eagles hot shot Emmanuel Emenike lived up to expectation – and to his boast – when he unlocked the Malawian goal and set Nigeria on the path of qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Super Eeagles were the better side this evening at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, South-South Nigeria, but the Flames held on bravely, soaking up the pressure and mounting occasional counter-attacks.

But for the boastful visitors, the survival was temporary as Emenike struck on the dot of 45 minutes, beating onrushing goalie Charles Swini to put Nigeria aheaad.

Six minutes on the restart, the job was done as Victor Moses stepped forward to brilliantly tuck in the second goal after a rampaging Nnamdi Oduamadi was hacked down in the Malawian goalmouth by a desperate James Sangala.

The Malawians needed to win to resurrect their qualification hopes but their dreams as good as came to a nightmarish end two minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men after Limbikani Mzava, who brought down Ahmed Musa just outside the 18-yard box, got sent off for his second bookable offence.

But for the brave saves of Swini, the goal margin would have increased thereafter.

With the match ending 2-0 in their favour, the African champions finished top of Group F with 12 points as against seven by second-placed Malawi, thus booking a place in the final round of qualifiers to be played from next month.

•Photo: For the Eagles, another reason to celebrate.