Ighalo's hat-trick dismantles Libya in Uyo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria Saturday evening thrashed Libya 4-nil in the African Cup of Nations qualifier played in Uyo, with Odion Ighalo scoring all the goals.

The Eagles took an early lead in the 2nd minute, when Libyan goalkeeper, Abdaula, fouled goal-bound Odion Ighalo and the leading striker converted the resultant penalty to boost the Eagles' confidence.

However, the Eagles thereafter took their feet off the pedal as the Libyans grew in confidence and almost got the equaliser in the 12th minute, but for Francis Uzoho, who was called to make an audacious save.

Motasem Sabbou had beat Shehu Abdullahi to make a cross into the Nigerian goal area but Mohamed Abdussalam’s header was brilliantly stopped by the Elche goalkeeper, whose reflexes led to his parrying the shot from a Libyan striker to safety.

The first half ended with a plethora of chances missed by both teams, especially Samuel Kalu, who blew away the chance of giving Nigeria the second lead in the 33 minute. He found his way in the Libyan half, beat Ahmed Eltarbi before aiming waywardly at goal, instead of feeding captain Ahmed Musa to wreak havoc

The second half resumed with more hostility, but it was Ighalo who made the difference. Some good work from Ben Ali saw Nigeria panic slightly at the back, but Alex Iwobi fed Odion Ighalo who slotted past goalkeeper goalkeeper Abdaula for his brace in the 56th minute.

China-based Ighalo completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute. He fired into the net after Ahmed Eltarbi goofed Ahmed Musa's cross and was subsequently replaced by Isaac Success.

Nigeria continued to ease their way to victory with Samuel Kalu finding the back of the net. He got the ball outside the Libyans' 18-yard box from Henry Onyekuru before curling a ferocious shot past Mohamed Abdaula to end the match at 4-0, with Nigeria going second in Group E ahead of their return leg in Sfax, Tunisia on Tuesday next week.

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