The Enugu Rangers star netted a brace and created a third for the home-based Eagles as they thumped their Ivoirian counterparts 4:1 in the first leg of their final round qualifying tie for the 2014 CHAN in Kaduna.
FIFA Confederations Cup villain Gambo Mohammed opened scoring for the Eagles with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box after just 12 minutes, and Mba doubled the advantage with a superb half volley following an Ezekiel Mbah cross in the 28th minute.
A defensive blunder saw Tiecoura Coulibaly half the deficit just before half-time, but hopes of a fight-back were dented eight minutes after the restart when Nigeria were awarded a controversial penalty. Mba not only restored the hosts' two-goal advantage with a fine effort, but the Ivoirians, incensed by the referee's call, had Roger Assale sent off for his overzealous protestation.
Moments later Ivoirian hopes were further dimmed when they had a second man Gloudoueu sent off. Substitute Ifeanyi Ideh took full advantage of Nigeria's numerical strength when he sealed the win eight minutes from time, slotting home from an Mba cutback.
The second leg comes up in Cote d'Ivoire in three weeks, and the winner on aggregate will qualify for the CHAN finals in South Africa next year.
Other results
Mali 3:1 Guinea
Burkina Faso 1:0 Niger
