Gistfox Your News Window To The World.
Related Articles
Super Eagles on Friday kicked off their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note after thumping the Lone Stars of Liberia 2-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos.
This result puts Nigeria on top of the Group C after matchday 1.
The match hero was Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho who scored the two goals in the 22nd and 44th minutes. He later made way for Captain Ahmed Musa in the 84th minute of the game.
The Liberians started the game with full confidence attacking the Super Eagles defence.
Ola Aina attempted a shot from range in the 10th minute, but it went off target.
The Super Eagles nearly took the lead five minutes later, but Joe Aribo failed to hit target after he was set up by Alex Iwobi.
Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead on the 22nd minute, slotting home following an assist from Iwobi.
Victor Osimhen almost doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 37th minute, but his shot failed to hit target.
Iheanacho scored his second of the game on the stroke of half time with Iwobi once again providing the assist.
The Super Eagles continued with the pressure after the break and Leon Balogun headed narrowly wide from Iheanacho ‘s inch-perfect corner-kick in the 49th minute.
Osimhen’s header from Moses Simon’s cross was saved by Liberia goalkeeper in the 62nd minute.
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr made double substitutions in the 77th minute with Paul Onuachu and Samuel Kalu replacing Osimhen and Simon.
Captain Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi were also introduced in place of Iheanacho and Iwobi respectively.
Oghenekato Etebo also took the place of Aribo late on.
The Super Eagles will face the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in their next game on Tuesday.
