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By Chukwudi Abiandu
The main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, the Delta State capital, came alive again today, 22/3/2019, when Nigeria’s Super Eagles got the edge over their Seychelles national football team with a 3-1 victory over the visitors.
The encounter was the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON Qualifiers 2019), took off at exactly 4 p.m. local time, and in the 25th minds of the first half, Odion Ighallo and Ahmed Musa created anxious moments in the vital area of Seychelles, but the goalkeeper made a daring save of the ball.
In the 33rd minute of the game, the referee spotted an infringement committed against Nigeria’s Ndidi who was badly brought down in the Seychelles 18 yard box, and he signalled for a penalty kick against the opponents. The penalty was beautifully taken by Ighallo to earn for Nigeria the curtain raiser.
Again in the 38th minute, another infringement was committed against Nigeria at the edge of Seychelles’ 18-yard box, but the goalkeeper parried the goal-bound ball away into touch for a corner kick advantage Nigeria.
But without allowing the dust to settle down, and exactly in the 40th minute, the irresponsible play of the Nigerian goal-keeper, Francis Uzohor resulted in a defensive error that was neatly converted for the Seychelles equalizer. The first half ended 1-1.
Seven minutes into the resumption of play at the second half, Super Eagles Henry Onyekuni in a goalmouth scramble noded in the second goal for Nigeria.
Iwobi was called out at 5:29 p.m. and was replaced by Timi Ajayi, and just in the dying moments of the game, Moses Simon put Nigeria further ahead with a scintillating goal he scored to make it 3-1 for Nigeria.
The football match was watched by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa accompanied by top government officials and other football enthusiasts.