Nigeria shoved Libya off the top of the Group C table of 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at a raucous Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier, Morocco on Friday.
Sunday Faleye’s 79th-minute goal was enough to hand the Super Eagles victory that got their tournament back on track.
Both teams started off strongly but none of the two would allow the other so easily to attempt shots at goal. They both played compact soccer with the main battle being at the midfield.
The Libyans put on a brilliant display of resolute defending and clinical finishing against a much determined Nigerians.
Super Eagles started knocking on Libya’s door on the half hour mark pumping pressure for a lead as they continued to get more of the number of chances created before the break.
Rabiu Ali, in particular, went closest to scoring for the Super Eagles, but both his free-kick effort and a dangerous-looking strike from the edge of the Libya box missed the target.
Five minutes later, it was Libya’s turn to go close as substitute Abdelsalam Alaqoub fired a shot across goal from outside the area but also past the post.
Osas Okoro had a chance late in the half but Masaud Sand made a crucial clearance as Nigeria continued to press the Mediterranean Knights.
The second half saw a more determined Libya come out and press the initiative, as they created a handful of quality chances just after the break through Saleh Al Taher and Omar Aribi in particular.
Libya would come to regret not taking their chances, as Nigeria won the match through Faleye on 79 minutes. He slotted a neat finish past Libya goalkeeper Muhammad Nashnoush from a corner to propel the Super Eagles to the top of the group with four points.
The Eagles will now head to the city of Agadir, where they play debutants Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday.
Line-ups:
Nigeria: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Osas Okoro, Daniel Itodo, Stephen Eze, Kalu Orji, Emeka Atuloma, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Solomon Ojo 75′), Rabiu Ali, Emeka Ogbugh, Anthony Okpotu (Ibrahim Mustapha 61′), Sunday Faleye (Augustine Oladapo 89′).
Libya: Muhammad Nashnoush, Sanad Maoud, Ahmed El Trbi, Motasem Sabbou, Ahmed Al Maghasi, Mohamed Aleyat (Elmutasem Abushna 80′), Bader Ahmed, Abdulrahman Ramadhan khalleefah, Saleh Al Taher (Abdulsalam Omar 60′), Salem Ablo (,Abdelmouin Khamaj 70′) Omar Aribi.
