Nigeria’s Super Eagles have brightened their chances of qualifying for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, with a four nil bashing of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Goals from Odion Ighalo, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho made a nonsence of the African champions.
Nigeria went ahead through Victor Moses free kick but the celebrations was short lived as his effort was ruled out for an offside.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa grew in confidence with a couple of saves to keep the Cameroonians at bay in the early minutes of the first half.
Nigeria finally registered their first goal of the night through Odion Ighaho in the 29th minute.
The goal was made in China as Ighalo connected a dummy from John Obi Mikel, who is also based in China.
The China-based striker connected a pass from Skipper John Obi Mikel to shoot Nigeria into the lead.
Moses almost increased the tally for Nigeria but the Cameroonian defenders prevented the embarasement.
Just before the break, Mikel rose to the challenge as he slotted home the second goal of the evening.
The former Chelsea star tapped in a low drive from Moses to put Nigeria in a comfortable lead.
On resumption for the second half, the Lions of Cameroon looked resolute as they launched several attacking forays at Nigeria but Ezenwa was at his best.
In the 55th minute, Nigeria, against the run of play, scored the third goal through a counter attack from Moses.
Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score the fourth goal in the 76th minute of the tie.
The Gernot Rohr lads will pocket the sum of $40,000 for scoring four goals as promised by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, apart from their $5,000 winning bonus to be paid by the Nigeria Football Federation.
Nigeria now lead their World Cup qualifying group on nine points, against Cameroon’s two, while Algeria and Zambia are on one point each.
The second leg of the tie is slated for Yaoundé, Cameroon on Monday.
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