Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, grabbed only goal a Super Eagles battled to victory over Taifa Stars of Tanzania in the final match day of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers
Iheanacho’s 78th minute strike beat Tanzanian goalkeeper Aishi Manula after several attempts by the Super Eagles front men failed to hit the back back the net at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Super Eagles created a rash of chances in this dead rubber game, but wasteful finishing and the brilliance of former Tanzania U20 star, Manula, ensured they had to wait till late to snatch their first win.
It was a winning start for new coach Gernot Rohr, but he certainly knows his team will have to sharpen their shooting boots in time for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.
Tanzania started brightly, but later Nigeria took over the attacking initiative in front of a sold-out crowd in Uyo.
In the 12th minute, John Mikel Obi released Ahmed Musa, but the Leicester City star failed to tuck away the opening.
On 24 minutes, Tanzania shot stopper Manula denied Iheanacho, before Victor Moses fluffed another chance two minutes later.
Manula then dived on Victor Moses feet inside his six-yard box in the 33rd minute and four minutes later, he failed to deliver the final shot or pass as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Three minutes from half time, Manula pulled off a big save to prevent Odion Ighalo.
It was a similar story in the second half with Mikel denied by Manula after 59 minutes and Watford striker Ighalo struggled again in a Nigeria shirt, before 19-year-old Iheanacho conjured a wonder strike 12 minutes from time
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
