– By Onyekachi Osondu, ABH PRESS
The Super Eagles, on Saturday, trashed Libya, 4-0 in the first leg of their African Nations cup qualifier in Akwa Ibom international stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria, who suffered a shock matchday 1 home defeat to South Africa hosted Libya on Saturday in Uyo.
Gernot Rohr, the Nigerian Coach, put out a strong team in the hopes of clinching their first points of the qualifiers. Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong continued their strong centreback partnership for Nigeria with Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi protecting them in the midfield. Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux and Odion Ighalo spearheaded the attack for Nigeria.
The first half was full of action and saw Nigeria take the lead as early as the 3rd minute as Odion Ighalo converted a penalty he won after being fouled by the Libyan goalkeeper.
Nigeria suffered an early blow as injured defender Shehu Abdullahi had to be replaced for Ola Aina. The Super Eagles failed to converted their chances with Samuel Kalu being the most wasteful and ended the first half only a goal ahead.
The second half saw Nigeria try to build on their slender lead as they took the game to Libya and that they did, with Odion Ighalo once again getting on the scoreboard after a nice assist from Alex Iwobi. Ighalo did not let the chance for his first international hat-trick slip by as he made the most of a mistake by a Libyan defender to complete his hat-trick.
The party was not over for the Nigerians as Samuel Kalu finally converted for Nigeria to score his first goal for Nigeria, curling a ferocious shot past the Libyan goalkeeper from outside of the 18-yard box after a perfectly weighted pass by substitute Henry Onyekuru
Thus the match ended 4-0 with Odion Ighalo scoring a hatrick, the first by a Nigerian for the Super Eagles since 2013. Etebo and Jamiu Collinsworthy of mention for their brilliant performance in this match.
The second leg of the encounter sees Nigeria fly out to Tunisia to take on Libya on Tuesday, 16th October, for the second time in four days, at 7pm.
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