Nigeria 3 – 2 Libya: AFCON Qualifiers
Nigeria has moved to within one win of booking their place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Libya in Sfax yesterday evening. The away team needed a magical performance to pick three points at the Taïeb M’hiri Stadium.
Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles now need three points from their final two games against South Africa and Seychelles to guarantee their place at next summer’s tournament in Cameroon.
Rohr picked almost the same team that demolished the Mediterranean Knights 4-0 in Uyo, with Ola Aina replacing injured Shehu Abdullahi in the starting XI.
Alex Iwobi played a one-two with Ahmed Musa before the former CSKA Moscow forward teed up Odion Ighalo who swept the ball past the statuesque keeper in the 13th minute.
Four minutes later, Ighalo turned provider for Musa as he picked out the captain with a well-crafted pass before the latter prodded home under pressure.
It was a better end to the first half from Libya, and they reduced the deficit through Mohamed Zubya.
Ahmad Benali forced a stop from Francis Uzoho as Libya had a bright start to the second half.
The hosts did level matters, as Benali fully redeemed himself with an accurate finish.
It capped a much-improved performance in the second half from Libya.
Ighalo had the final say with the match winner for the three-time African champions in the 81st minute of action.
The Super Eagles did a good job of seeing the game out in the closing stages.
Nigeria, meanwhile, is now just one point clear of second-placed South Africa, whom they face in the matchday5 of the AFCON qualifiers.