Super Eagles crush Cameroon 4:0
The Super Eagles yesterday took a bold step towards Russia 2018 with a 4-0 thrashing of reigning African champions Cameroon.
Goals from returnee striker Idion Ighalo, captain John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria firmly on top of the group on nine maximum points.
The match played at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International stadium Uyo saw the African champions taking the fight to the Super Eagles in the early minutes of the match.
The Lions desperate for their first win of the qualifiers ensured the Eagles remained in their own half of the field but that did not last for too long as the three time African champions began to push forward.
The first scare for the Cameroonians came in the 23rd minute when Victor Moses free kick found the back of the opponents net but the goal was disallowed for an infringment from Odion Ighalo.
The Lions of Cameroon were yet to recover from that scare when a Captain Mikel Ob, pass with his head found Ighalo who outpaced his marker to score Nigeria’s opening goal in the 27th minute.
The goal stung the Cameroonians who stepped up their attack but the Eagles kept to their game plan as they waited patiently to catch their opponents on the counter.
Eagles tactics proved useful as mesmersing Simon Moses almost added Eagles tally in the 35th minute when his shot on target was saved by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
One of the quick counter attacks by the Eagles resulted into a corner which fetched Nigeria the second goal when Ighalo sold a dummy out of the corner kick by Victor Moses for Mikel Obi to score in the 42nd minute.
Before the referee’s whistle went for the end of the half, the Lions were all over the field but the Eagles calmly ended the half unscathed.
On resumption, the Lions continued their search for a goal but it was the Eagles who added to their tally when a fine cut back from Simon Moses found Victor Moses who calmly slotted in the ball in the 53rd minute for Nigeria’s third of the evening.
In the 59th minute Ighalo made way for Lecicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho who brought more vigour to the Eagles attack.
The former Manchester City man lasted for only 14 minute on the pitch before registering his name among the goal scorers when he expertly connected Onazi Oganyi’s tailored cross with his head in the 75th minute.
With victory assured, Mikel was substituted for Mikel Agu just as Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa was brought on for Eagles best player of the evening Victor Moses.
The Lions of Cameroon used everything in their arsenal to reduce the tally but a well covered Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal for Nigeria frustrated the thoroughly humiliated Cameroonians.
The last leg of the double header between the two African giants will be staged on Monday in Yaounde.