Leicester City of England attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho ended up being named man of the match, after netting twice to give the Super Eagles a 2-0 win against Liberia in their opening match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Iheanacho’s first goal came in the 22nd minute of Friday’s game at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, and it was his 10th overall in the Eagles’ jersey, but he soon added icing on the cake with his second of the evening few seconds to the half time whistle.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, to set Nigeria’s campaign alight in Group C and take them top of the table, Iheanacho scored both goals for the Eagles, who are gunning for a seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
The Eagles pressed for an early goal and went close within two minutes into the match but, in the 18th minute, Glasgow Rangers of Scotland midfielder, Joe Aribo swiveled and fired wide after a superb combination of passes.
Nonetheless, anxiety turned into celebration for the Eagles soon after, when Iheanacho scored the first goal after finding space down the right wing and let fly a shot that squirmed past the hands of Liberia’s goalkeeper, William Ashley.
SSC Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen missed a gilt edged chance to double Nigeria’s lead with five minutes left to play in the first half but his close effort after Everton winger, Alex Iwobi’s shot was spilled by Ashley went agonizingly wide.
With immense support coming from Iwobi, who ended up being named most valuable player of the game, Iheanacho grabbed his brace with a minute left in the half time when he hit home from similar position as his first strike.
The hosts then won a throw-in at the opposition half, with Iwobi directing his header to the Leicester star to finish, but the Eagles missed another chance to put the game to bed in the 47th minute.
Osimhen’s control of the ball inside the eighteen yard box was disappointing, as the Liberian goalkeeper parried the ball away, Ola Aina crossed it but a poor header from Iheanacho saw the developing goal fizzle away.
Iheanacho’s clubmate, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi waltzed his way into the Liberian vital area ten minutes into the second half but his low shot was deflected which an unrushing Iwobi was unable to pounce upon from two yards.
Liberia’s Marcus Macauley almost reduced the arrears for his country as he took advantage of a sloppy Eagles backline with 24 minutes played in the second half but his effort at the edge of the box was offside.
The Eagles sought a third goal but ultimately take a three points to their next game against Cape Verde on Tuesday in their second game of the qualifiers.
