MATCH VIDEO: NIGERIA 3 – 1 SEYCHELLES

The African giant Nigeria defeated Seychelles 3-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Friday to end their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a high.

Goals from Odion Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru and substitute Moses Simon helped Gernot Rohr’s side do the double over their visitors

Odion Ighalo opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Rody Melanie – against all odds and all thanks to a Francis Uzoho howler – levelled for the Pirates to end the first half in a stalemate. Goals from Henry Onyekuru and substitute Moses Simon won the game for the Super Eagles, who were unconvincing at times in the dead rubber game.

William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo were preferred centre-back partners, with Leon Balogun – who had injury concerns before the game – left on the bench. Shehu Abdullahi regained his right-back spot after missing out on the previous games through injury.

Galatasaray winger Onyekuru made his full international debut in a competitive tie, replacing the unavailable Samuel Kalu on the right wing of a 4-3-3 formation – with Odion Ighalo leading the line.

In the fifth minute, miscommunication between the Seychelles defence and their goalie Ian Ha Kong almost gifted the hosts the lead, but they were quick to clear their lines, with Ighalo probing.

However, against the run of play, Uzoho overcame his first test, reacting quickly to palm a teasing right-wing cross. Gervais Wave-Hive tested Nigeria’s defence with a well-whipped freekick, but the Anorthosis goalie thwarted the effort.

Nigeria were edging closer to an elusive first goal with the Seychelles defence – set up in half in blocks – proving stubborn to break down.

But for a tame Ighalo effort, the Super Eagles would have opened the scoring in the 24th minute. The Shanghai Shenhua marksman could not get a proper touch on a weak Wilfried Ndidi shot, after the Leicester City midfielder skillfully worked his way into Seychelles area.

Ighalo made way for Simon late in the game after falling badly, but the Levante winger took the chance to make the points safe for the Super Eagles, smashing in a low effort to end the game 3-1.