BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

But for technical default, Friday's match with Liberia could have seen the Super Eagles aiming for record extending 36th match.

But their 35th match unbeaten was annulled by FIFA as Super Eagles'  on-field 1-1 draw with Algeria in Algiers in November 2017 was adjudged a loss.

Consequently, the 1-1 draw was changed to 0-3 loss owing to the fielding of  an ineligible Shehu Abdulahi on account of second  yellow card in the preceding matches. Otherwise, Nigeria's unbeaten run could have been 35.

However, the figure 34 however still remains the longest unbeaten streak in Africa. Nigeria last lost a World Cup qualifying match in Luanda on 20 June 2004 when Angola had a 1-0 win in the race to Germany 2006.

Nigeria's record is the second longest unbeaten run globally after that of Spain's 59. Nigeria's 34 unbeaten run is even four ahead that of 2014 World Cup winners, Germany. 

As it is, it is a begin again as the race for another World Cup finals gets underway.