Captain Ahmed Musa put Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead in the crucial AFCON 2019 qualifier in Victoria, Seychelles, scoring in the 15th minute as his shot came off the crossbar, with the ball bobbling off the Seychelles goalkeeper into the net.
Chidozie Awaziem doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a second goal in the 34th minute after Kelechi Iheanacho’s free-kick hit the post and rebounded into Awaziem’s path, who tapped it into the net for an easy finish.
Odion Ighalo was unlucky not to make it 3-0 two minutes later when his chip over the Seychelles goalkeeper bounced off the crossbar.
However, the China-based striker made up for that in the 57th minute from the penalty spot after the impressive debutant Samuel Kalu was fouled inside the box on his way to goal.
Against Nigeria, The Seychelles packed their defence in the first half and soaked up the pressure applied by Nigeria until the deadlock was broken after a quarter of an hour.
The home team’s best chance to score was in the 62nd minute when onrushing Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was lobbed, but the effort missed the mark.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were playing catch-up in the Group E, which also parades Libya and South Africa.
In the first game of the group, South Africa came to Nigeria on June 10, 2017 to hammer the Super Eagles 2-0, while Libya beat visiting Seychelles 5-1.
Libya and South Africa had a goalless draw in the second game of the group. They have four points each, with Nigeria now third in the group with three points.
