The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Liberia 2-0 courtesy of Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored twice for the hosts during their Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifier at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Nigeria got off to a good start in the qualifiers with a win in front of their home fans. The Super Eagles currently tops Group C following their 2-0 win over Liberia.
The Super Eagles will battle Cape Verde in their next encounter in four days time as they hope to keep the momentum for the rest of their qualifiers.
Match Preview
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to earn a seventh FIFA World Cup finals appearance when they trade tackles with the Lone Stars of Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Since making its debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in 1994, the three-time African champions, Nigeria, have only missed participation in the finals once – the 2006 edition in Germany. They were denied of that berth courtesy of CAF’s head-to-head rule that favoured Agnola.
In 17 previous clashes with Liberia’s Lone Star, the Super Eagles have won 10 matches, drawing three and losing four. Supers Eagles coach Gernot Rohr named a strong starting line-up forNigeria’s’ World Cup qualifier against the Lone Stars of Liberia on Friday.
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Sparta Rotterdam shot-stopper Maduka Okoye was handed the responsibility of standing between the goalposts against Peter Butler’s men, protected by William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins and Ola Aina in defence.
Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi will marshal the Super Eagles’ midfield given his strength in the middle of the park, supported by Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi. Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen will be leading the Super Eagles attack.
Liberia have never reached a FIFA World Cup finals, although they came close to doing so in the 2002 Korea /Japan World Cup tournament.
KICK OFF!!
7′ The referee blows the whistle as Liberia were caught offside.
8′ Corner kick for Nigeria.
11′ Nigeria’s Ola Aina fires a volley shot but his effort goes wide of Williams’ goal.
17′ Good work between Osimhen and Aribo, but Aribo fails to get a hold of the shot.
20′ Nigeria are dominating the game, winning 55%-45% in possession.
21′ GOAL FOR NIGERIA!!!! KELECHI IHEANACHO!!!! Super Eagles take the lead and Kelechi Iheanacho scores.
24′ Play continues and Liberia get a free kick, but Tisdell gets a shot on target but the Nigeria goalkeeper makes an easy save.
30′ Good work from Simon as Nigeria wins a free kick as MacAuley handles. Long way from goal and Iheanacho strikes, the ball takes a deflection and Nigeria wins another corner kick.
33′ Liberia with 11 men back on the pitch after MacAuley briefly needed attention on the sideline.
34′ Maduka Okoye still a virtual spectator for Nigeria with Liberia just managing one shot on target so far.
38′ The ball falls to Osimhen but the striker is offside.
42′ The referee blows the whistle for a foul and a free kick is awarded to Nigeria. Allen Njie is shown a yellow card.
45′ GOAL!!!! ITS IHEANACHO AGAIN FOR NIGERIA!!!!!! Kelechi Iheanacho fires in another for his second goal of the game.
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HALFTIME
The Supers Eagles have dominated the game so far and the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho’s brace gives Nigeria a cushion going into the break.
SECOND HALF
48′ Corner Kick for Nigeria.
50′ Its now total domination from Nigeria as once again a dangerous ball from the right side causes problems for the Liberia goalkeeper Williams.
54′ Offside for Nigeria.
57′ Substitution for Liberia as Abu Kamara replaces Brem Soumaoro.
60′ The referee blows the whistle for a foul and a free kick is given to Nigeria. Brem Soumaoro is shown a yellow card.
65′ Osimhen almost finds the target but the Liberia keeper makes a good save once again.
73′ Liberia goalkeeper receives treatment from the medical team after he picked up a knock.
77′ Substitution for Nigeria as Onuachu replaces Osimhen and Samuel Kalu replaces Moses Simon.
85′ Another substitution for Nigeria as Ahmed Musa and Abdullahi Shehu replace Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi.
87′ Time running out for Liberia and it’s been a solid and professional display from Nigeria who will turn their thoughts immediately to the trip to face Cape Verde.
89′ Dweh rises well but heads wide for Liberia. A late goal now for the visitors would certainly add some spice and tension to the final minutes of action here in Lagos.
90’+1′ Foul. Free kick for Nigeria. Sampson Dweh is awarded a yellow card.
90’+2′ Change for Nigeria as Etebo replaces Aribo.
90’+4′ The referee blows the final whistle as the thrilling encounter comes to an end. Nigeria 2-0 Liberia.
