Striker Victor Osimhen put up a five-star performance grabbing a hat-trick and providing an assist as Nigeria’s U-23 team hammered Libya 4-0 in Asabaon Monday to advance to the final round of the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers 4-2 on aggregate.
The Nigerians had lost the first leg 2-0 in Tunisia five days ago but Osimhen, Valentine Ozornwafor, Chidozie Awaziem and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho –members of the senior national team’s squad for the games versus Seychelles and Egypt – were drafted into the side as coach Imama Amapakabo sought to overturn the deficit.
And it paid off as the rampaging Osimhen constituted a headache for the Libyans all day at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
The Charleroi man grabbed the curtain-raiser late in the first half, when he fired home from close range off a Samuel Chukwueze free-kick.
The 20-year-old, an U-17 World Cup winner and top scorer in 2015, added a second in the 67th minute off a loose ball from the Libyan goalkeeper. He completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, racing past his markers to slot home Kelechi Nwakali’s intelligent through ball past the onrushing Libyan keeper.
But Osimhen was not done yet, as he set up Spezia striker Uche Okereke with a lovely back heel, for his side’s fourth goal, to send fans at the Asaba stadium into rapturous celebrations.
Amapakabo’s side started brightly and had the first attempt at goal in the fifth minute when Nwakali’s effort went inches wide off the upright.
Osimhen came close in the ninth minute but had his goal-bound shot saved by the Libyan keeper. Nwakali then saw his free-kick rock the bar as Nigeria searched for a breakthrough goal.
After grabbing the opener, Osimhen danced past a sea of Libyan legs inside the box, before unleashing a scorcher which hit the upright, much to the disdain of the gangling striker.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles stand-in captain Ahmed Musa rewarded the U-23 team with N4m in fulfilment of his promise to pay N1m for every goal scored by the team against Libya in Asaba.
Musa, who has been excused from the Eagles’ friendly against Egypt on Tuesday (today), made the promise after watching the team train on Saturday evening.
“Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has fulfilled his promise of N1m for every goal scored by the U-23 Eagles. He has sent N4m to the team for the 4-0 win over Libya this evening in Asaba,” Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye stated in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent.
The Nigerians will face either Sudan or Kenya in the final qualifying round. The Sudanese take a 2-0 lead to the second leg on Tuesday in Nairobi.
Egypt host the third U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in November with the top three teams from the competition advancing to Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
