A goal after a dazzling run by debutant Moses Usor, that started in his own half, was enough for hosts Nigeria to see off a spirited display from Madagascar in Uyo this evening.
The Afcon Group L qualifier saw the hosts fall behind surprisingly to supposedly minnows Madagascar from a header by centreback Ehsan Kari, who beat Nigeria’s offside trap to score from close range in the 16th minute. The island nation from the southeast coast of Africa were good value for their lead as they broke Nigeria’s defensive lines with crisp passing.
The home team didn’t keep the ball well throughout the first half. This was hardly surprising as today’s encounter was Nigeria’s first competitive match since the third place playoff against Egypt in the Afcon in January. Many of the players arriving in training camp just a few days before this match couldn’t have helped coach Eric Chelle’s preparations. And it showed in the disjointed first half display.
Several Nigerian players were not firing on all cylinders. Ademola Lookman looked out of sorts. Akor Adams just didn’t seem to be his usual effervescent self and kept making the wrong choices. Samuel Chukwueze would have had Chelle tearing out what was left of his hair after misplacing a cross for the umpteenth time.
As the first half wore on, with the hosts looking like replicating the disastrous run that led to failure in qualifying for the last world, and missing their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, his replacement George Ilenikhena, who plays for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and appearing for the national team for the first time, latched on to a through ball from Alex Iwobi – that Lookman dummied to bamboozle the Madagascar defence – and slid it into the bottom righthand corner in first half added time.
Nigeria played with renewed purpose after the break, buoyed by drawing even at such a crucial time. But they still had to rely on keeper Stanley Nwabali rescuing them in a one-on-one situation. On the hour, Chelle had enough of Chukwueze and Adams and replaced them with the two Moseses – Simon and Usor on the left and the right. Simon brought directness, dynamism and good crosses and winger Usor, from LASK in Belgium, waltzed past two Madagascar defenders to deliver the killer goal just four minutes after coming on for his debut.
Two debut goals for Nigeria is a feel good story, but the performance left a lot to be desired. Chelle said before the match that “I usually win things in my second year”. His team would have to improve a lot on this evening’s showing for Nigeria to secure a fourth Afcon trophy.
