Ighalo: Why I turned down move to join Barcelona
BY Remi Sulola
Odion Ighalo scored a hat-trick as Nigeria defeated Libya 4-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday.
In the early kick-off, South Africa thrashed Seychelles 6-0 in a one-sided affair.
Nigeria and Libya were left with no choice but to pick up maximum points in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
The three-time African champions scored their first goal through Odion Ighalo who dispatched his strike from the penalty spot after four minutes.
Six minutes later, Ighalo failed to bury a simple effort after he was put through by Ahmed Musa.
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 stanza, Ighalo made it 2-0 after picking up a defence-splitting pass from Alex Iwobi.
Ighalo completed his hat trick with a classy 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.
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