Ighalo grab a hat-trick as Nigeria Super Eagles defeat Libya 4-0

Nigeria Super Eagles defeat Libya  4-0 as Odion Ighalo  score hat-trick for the Super Eagles to get their AFCON 2019 qualifying campaign firmly back on track in Uyo.

Nigeria are now second in Group E with six points from three games, a point behind new leader South Africa, who earlier today trash Seychelles six to nothing  in Johannesburg.

Nigeria and Libya will battle again in a reverse fixture in Sfax, Tunisia, on Tuesday (October 16, 2018).

Nigeria goes into the match in fourth minute when striker Ighalo put away a penalty after he was fouled by the Libya goalkeeper.

Later Ighalo gave the home team some comfort in the 58th minute, when he scored his second after he was assisted by Alex Iwobi.

Ighalo 69 minutes strike completed his hat-trick for the day, when he put away a low cross from the right by Ahmed Musa.

Bordeaux forward Samuel Kalu netted Nigeria’s fourth goal on stoppage time, when he curled an unstoppable shot from outside the 18 yard box after he was set up by substitute Henry Onyekuru.

Libya dominated ball possession in the half time and looked like they would give Nigeria problem even after they fell behind so early in this encounter.

They did well not to sit back in defense as they also created some chance in the Nigeria goal area like in the 13th minute, when Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was forced to make a reflex save when the away team attacked for an equalizer.

Debutant Jamilu Collins was denied a goal by the crossbar a minute to first-half when he darted more than half of the pitch in a flowing move.

Nigeria Super Eagles striker, Ighalo’s second goal just before the hour mark took the fight out of the Libyans and thereafter it was Nigeria all the way till the end of an interesting match.