CHIMAOBI UCHENDU
Nigeria move to the top of Group E of the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in Sfax, Tunisia, Tuesday night after beating the Mediterranean Knights of Libya 3-2. A brace by China-based Odion Ighalo and another goal by Ahmed Musa handed the Super Eagles the leadership slot in the group.
Eagles led the game 2-0 in the first half, with Ighalo drawing the first blood in the 14th minute and Musa scoring three minutes later. Libya’s Mohamed Zubya reduced the deficit in the 35th minute. And in the second half Ahmad Benali levelled for Libya after the team piled a lot of pressure on the Nigerians.
Libya’s comeback, however, falls short as they finally lose a competitive match on home soil for the first time since October 7, 2017 when their nemesis, Odion Ighalo struck again in the 82nd to give Nigeria a massive away win, the full three points, to keep them ahead of South Africa who had earlier played a goalless draw against Seychelles. The Eagles now have nine points, overtaking South Africa who have eight.
The Libyans gave their all but fell short against the more experienced Eagles who started like a house on fire but lost steam midway. But Ighalo kept his cool when it mattered most to break the heart of the Libyans.
Libya are now third in the group with four points and Seychelles have had just a point.
The teams in the group will next meet on 16 November, with Nigeria travelling to South Africa, while Seychelles will host Libya.
Then next year March, Nigeria will host Seychelles, while Libya will host South Africa for the final matches of the group