Three –time champions Nigeria soared high in concluding their 2021 Africa
Cup of Nations qualifying series with a commanding 3-0 defeat of the Crocodiles
of Lesotho at an upgraded and effervescent Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr rested first choice goalie Maduka Okoye and
started Tyronne Ebuehi at right back instead of Olaoluwa Aina, Oghenekaro Etebo
started in place of Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and Alex Iwobi picked shirt ahead of
Henry Onyekuru after the Everton defender tested negative to COVID-19, days after
he was said to have been positive in Benin Republic.
Yet, the flow of the squad was not in any way affected as they started in
top gear, with Turkey –based Etebo drilling narrowly wide of the far post in
the 8th minute following a good pass from the nimble –footed Samuel
Chukwueze. Five minutes later, Osimhen had the ball in the net after a typical
sweet exchange with Kelechi Iheanacho, but it was ruled off-side.
Even as Tumelo Khutlang tried Francis Uzoho from afar and the slippery
Teboho Sello danced past Ebuehi and squared into the box, the Eagles looked
firm on the ground, and in the 22nd minute, Osimhen, benefitting
from a well –placed lob from Kelechi Iheanacho, outfoxed goalkeeper Moerane
Sekhoane for Nigeria’s first goal.
Chukwueze, Iheanacho and Osimhen threatened as the game wore on, but at
the other end, Uzoho had to be alert as Thabo Lesaoana picked the far angle
from a free kick 22 yards out.
Five minutes into the second half, Etebo made it two for Nigeria following
a counter attack orchestrated by Wilfred Ndidi and ended with Samuel Chukwueze
and Victor Osimhen routing the Lesotho rearguard for the energetic midfielder
to place the ball beyond Sekhoane.
In the 70th minute, Ndidi spearheaded another fast break and
conscripted Osimhen and Iheanacho into his plan, but the Crocodiles cleared
their lines even after Sekhoane had been beaten.
Substitute Paul Onuachu, scorer of the only goal against Benin Republic
in Porto Novo on Saturday, lashed in the third goal in the 83rd minute
as the Eagles swept forward once more, taking Sekhoane completely unaware.
The Eagles finished the campaign with a runaway 14 points, winning
home-and-away against Benin Republic and Lesotho and only dropping points
against Sierra Leone.
Next up for the Eagles is the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying race, which
starts at the end of May.