The Super Eagles gave Nigeria one of the best Happy New Month presents with an emphatic 4-0 win over Cameroon on Friday in Uyo.
While the European transfer window wrapped up with mixed feelings on the last day of August, the road to Russia continued for Nigeria on Salah day – Friday. It was a double celebration for Nigerians who slaughtered rams in the morning and had Lions for supper.
The big boys returned to the team and had their names of the scoresheet. Bafana Bafana would be thanking their stars that Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo were absent because they all scored in the rout of the Indomitable Lions.
It was a game of “assist and be assisted” as Mikel Obi, who turned provider for Ighalo in the 22nd minute scored in the 44th minute to make it 2-0 to Nigeria. The China-based Eagles silenced the “anti-play-in-China” critics. Odion Ighalo had the luxury of ensuring two Cameroonians got early yellow cards. He also got one for his goal celebration.
Victor Moses who provided for Mikel in 1st half got on the score sheet in the 55th minute after nice work with Moses Simon. Kelechi Iheanacho made it 4-0 in the 76th minute after heading in Onazi’s cross.
FC IfeanyiUbah’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa manned the post in the absence of Daniel Akpeyi due to injury. He put up a confident display and got in the goals celebration – bouncing on his back side like that Congolese goalie.
The backline was tight with Leon Balogun the Chief Marshall. William Troost-Ekong would be happy to keep a clean sheet on his 24th birthday. The fullbacks were suspect while the midfielders were average. Upfront, the quartet of Ighalo, Moses, Simon and Mikel was a handful for the Lions.
It was a perfect blend of experience and youth and it paid off with Rohr one feet away from Russia. Nigeria have not felt so happy like this in ages.
While we head to the return leg on Monday, the Super Eagles can bask in their 33 matches unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifiers – only bettered by Spain (59).
Hello Russia, here we come.
SoccerGunz 