2018 CHAN: Eagles win, beat Libya 1-0

SUNDAY Faleye’s 79th minute goal on Friday was good enough to give Nigeria’s Super Eagles a 1-0 victory over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the ongoing 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.
The strike by Faleye, who played for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, last season also brighten Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the knockout stage from group C with four points already.
Nigeria who had in the first match settled for a barren draw against Rwanda also had poor marksmanship as their major undoing in Friday’s match.
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) reigning goal king, Anthony Okpotu was a thorn in the flesh of the Knights, but was unable to maximise a pocket of scoring chances that came his way before he was replaced by Mustapha Ibrahim in the 61st minute. Okpotu’s header in the 53rd minute off a Faleye’s cross was misdirected in one of the chances missed by the Salisu Yusuf-piloted side.
Earlier, Emeka Ogbugh’s cross-cum-shot screamed across the Libyan goal which would have been the curtain raiser in the 25th minute save for ill luck.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was virtually on holiday, but was equalled to the task on a few occasions he was called to test.
Faleye was on hand to connect a Osas Okoro’s corner kick past the Libyan keeper, Muhammad Nashnoush in the 79th minute for the only goal of the match.
The match hero, Faleye was later replaced by Austin Oladapo in the 86th minute as he was unable to continue after returning from an injury.
Oladayo Ojo had earlier replaced Ifeanyi Ifeanyi in the 74th minute.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s next game is scheduled to hold on Tuesday in Agadir against debutants, Equatorial Guinea. The home-based Super Eagles coached by the late Stephen Keshi it will be recalled, won the bronze at the CHAN 2014 held in South Africa.