Nigeria returned to winning ways at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Friday, as they began their campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with an emphatic 2-0 win over Liberia.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s first half brace gave the Super Eagles and their coach, Gernot Rohr, a big laugh over the Lone Stars of Liberia, and secured the top spot on Group C for the team ahead of Cape Verde and Central Africa Republic who played 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
Super Eagles seized the initiative from the blast of the whistle and needed only 22 minutes to find the back of the net when Iheanacho’s sizzling drive from the edge of the penalty box caught the Liberian goalkeeper flatfooted.
Iheanacho took the blinding shot from a short corner kick and superb passes between him and Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi also paved the way for Iheanacho’s second in the 45th minute of the game. The two internationals struck a perfect rhythm that set the home crowd roaring for more.
Iwobi’s flick header off a long throw from the left flank by Jamilu Collins fell on the path of Iheanacho who masterly brought the ball down with his left foot before sending it to the back of the net for the Eagle’s second goal.
Though the Super Eagles also dominated play in the second half, as they did in the first half, they couldn’t put the ball past the Liberian goalie as the game ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.
