Nigeria’s Super Eagles beat Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 4-0 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Uyo, Nigeria, after goals from Odion Ighalo, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Odion Ighalo opened the scoring int the 29th minute with Captain John Mikel Obi providing the assist. Mikel lobbed a through ball over the Cameroonian defense, Odion Ighalo proving too strong for his marker was able to get a low shot on target. The ball was well beyond the reach of Cameroonian goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa. Celebrations from the home fans tore into the air.
Odion Ighalo marked his return to the National team with a much needed goal, but his celebration was cut a little short by the referee with a yellow card for shirt removal.
The game had drawn almost equal bouts of pressing from both teams with no real threat on goal until the first goal.
The Super Eagles missed several chances in the following few minutes. One notable miss was a counter attack that fell to Moses Simon on the right wing, giving a pass to Ola Aina at the edge of the Cameroonian box, Aina passed to Mikel, and Mikel to Victor Moses. Moses was unable to get power behind the shot, forcing the Cameroonians into gifting a cornerkick.
It was from this corner kick taken by Victor Moses, that led to the second goal.
Mikel Obi rounded off Victor Moses’ cross right at the 43rd minute into the roof of the Cameroonian net, leaving the goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa rooted.
It was an equal pressing affair for both teams till the end of the first half.
Kelechi Iheanacho was introduced in the first minute of the second half in replacement for Odion Ighalo.
Victor Moses got his goal at the 53rd minute. At this point the Cameroonian team was downcast, the team spirit became visibly low. It was only a thing of counting down for the final whistle.
At the 68th minute Agu Mikel came on to replace Captain Mikel Obi.
Iheanacho marked his presence in the 77th minute with a goal.
In came Super Eagles last substitute, Ahmed Musa for Victor Moses. Moses was cheered off by the fans.
The Indomitable Lions made their first change in the 46th minute Nicolas Ngamaleu was replaced by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
in the 59th minute made another change, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was replaced just a little more than 10 minutes after by Arnaud Sutchuin Djoum.
Christian Bassogog was replaced in the 85th minute by Fabrice Olinga.
Cards
Cameroon
23″ – Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (yellow)
26″ – Adolphe Teikeu (yellow)
Nigeria
30″ – Odion Ighalo (yellow)
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