BEVERLY HILLS, October 14, (THEWILL) –
Centre forward, Odion Ighalo, scored a hat-trick as Nigeria defeated Libya 4-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.
The three-time African champions scored their first goal through Ighalo who dispatched his strike from the penalty spot after four minutes.
Oghenekaro Etebo subsequently had an opportunity to score from Samuel Kalu’s delivery from the left, but the ex-Warri Wolves playmaker headed to the bar.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who had been on holiday, was finally called to action and he duly responded with smart save from a header.
Defender Jamilu Collins went on a solo effort in the dying minutes of the first half. His wicked shot came off the upright as the first half ended 1-0.
Following a sparkless opening 12 minutes of the second half, Ighalo made it 2-0 after picking up a defence-splitting pass from Alex Iwobi.
Ighalo completed his hat trick with a clumsy strike after Musa’s cross landed in his path inside the box.
Kalu put the icing on the cake with a world-class curler in the 90th minute.
Nigeria moved to the second spot in Group E with the win while South Africa are now top of the log as the Bafana Bafana thrashed Seychelles 6-0 in a one-sided affair.
