TVCE (SOCCER) – The Home-based Super Eagles opened their campaign at the ongoing African Nations Championships with a clear victory over Niger.
Although the first half perfornmance was far below expectation, the second game of the day in Kigali finally burst to life in the second 45 minutes as Nigeria took the lead 30 seconds after the resumption of the second half through Osas Okoro.
Okoro, the Enugu Rangers striker, was perfectly set up by Tunde Adeniji and he calmly converted the chance that came his way.
The Abia Warriors fleet-footed striker, Chisom Chikatara who came in as a substitute for Adeniji, scored the remaining three goals for the Eagles.
The first of the night for Chikatara came in the 74th minute when he received a well floated pass from Okoro, the striker controlled the ball well before rifling it to the top corner of the net.
Although Niger gave Nigeria a scare when they pulled one goal back through Zakary Adebayor, Chikatara was on hand to restore Nigeria’s two-goal lead.
Chikatara, who was voted man of the match, completed his hatrick late in the game off an assist from Prince Aggreh to give Nigeria an empahtic win.
With the victory Nigeria are top in Group C with three points.
