Super Eagles make hard work of Seychelles in Asaba

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 22, 2019. 20:43

Nigeria beat Seychelles 3-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Friday afternoon to confirm themselves as 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group E winners.

Odion Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru and Moses Simon found the back of the net for the Super Eagles who were made to toil for all three points by an improved Seychelles unit in Asaba.

Ighalo opened the scoring in the 35th minute from the penalty spot for his seventh goal of the campaign. The China-based forward making no mistake from the spot following a foul on Wilfred Ndidi inside the area.

Seychelles, though, to their credit were not reluctant to merely succumbing to another defeat and duly levelled matters through Rody Melanie six minutes later. The midfielder on hand to fire into an empty net following a blunder from Francis Uzoho.

Henry Onyekuru restored Nigeria's lead five minutes after the break. The attacker escaped his marker before nodding home Jamilu Collins' pin-point pick out from the left flank.

Simon made sure of the result in the final minute fo regulation time. The Spain-based attacker bamboozled a tired-looking Pirates defensive line before guiding a rasping effort past Ali Kong in the Seychelles goal.

Nigeria (1) 3 (Ighalo 35' penalty, Onyekuru 50' Simon 90')
Seychelles (1) 1 (Melanie 41')

Nigeria: Uzoho; Collins, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Onyekuru, Ndidi, Shehu, Peter Etebo (Onuachu 65'), Iwobi (Ajayi 72'), Igalo (Simon 87'), Musa.

Seychelles: Kong; Manoo, Marie, Saminadin, Mellie, Trevor, Fanchette, Melanie (Damoo 82'), Padayachy (Sinon 71'), Waye-Hive, Hall (Monnaie 82').