2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Ighalo’s Brace Lifts Nigeria Atop Group E

• Eagles Pip Libya 3-2 In Sfax

BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – Nigeria has frog-leaped South Africa to go atop Group E of the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a 3-2 victory over Libya in Sfax, Tunisia

In-form Odion Ighalo’s brace fired the Super Eagles to the group’s summit as the Nigerians threw away a two-goal lead and endured a second half scare in the Tunisian city to claim their third successive victory in the qualifiers.

The Eagles netted two quick goals through Ighalo, who plays for Chinese side, Changchun Yatai and Saudi-based Captain Ahmed Musa in the 13th and 17th minutes before the Mediterranean Knights fought back gamely to reduce the tally through Mohamed Zubya as both teams went for the break.

At the resumption of play, the Eagles struggled to ward off a myriad of attack by the Libyans but eventually caved-in on the 74th minute when midfield Lynchpin Benali leveled the scores.

However, the former Watford attacker gave the Super Eagles respite nine minutes from time with a measured solo move that had him burying the ball after sending two Libyan defenders on a wrong errand.

Eagles’ German Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr kept faith with his wards that did the job in Uyo four days ago, with Ola Aina replacing injured Shehu Abdullahi in the starting line-up.

However, Rohr’s Libyan counterpart, Al-Maryami opted to support tormentor-in-chief Mohamed Anis Saltou in attack by introducing fleet-footed Zubya.

With the brace, the in-form China-based striker got his fifth goal within four days through his now famous trademark touch. 

South Africa lost their leadership of the group when they held hosts, Seychelles to a goalless draw in an early kick-off on Tuesday – With agency reports

GROUP E AFCON QUALIFIERS