Nigeria cruise to 3-0 victory vs. Seychelles

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:28 am

Nigeria's Ahmed Musa celebrates his team's second goal during the group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018.
Nigeria's Ahmed Musa celebrates his team's second goal during the group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018.
Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo

Goals from Ahmed Musa, Chidozie Awaziem and Odion Ighalo ensured Nigeria got their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign back on track with a 3-0 away win against Seychelles on Saturday.

Stand-in captain Musa set the ball rolling in the 15th minute with his 16th international goal, a beautiful left-footed scorcher which came back off the post and goalkeeper Dave Mussard, before settling in the back of the net.

Despite not delivering a spectacular performance - largely due to the poor state of the artificial pitch - Nigeria were professional in their approach, and the debuting Samuel Kalu was the outstanding individual.

Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 34th minute, when Awaziem tucked in from close range for his first international goal after a Kelechi Iheanacho free kick rebounded into his path.

Kalu had been terrorising the Seychelles defence with his impressive footwork and pace long before he earned a penalty just before the hour after being clipped by Collins Esther.

Up-stepped under-fire forward Ighalo to convert in the 57th-minute as Nigeria extended their comfortable lead.

The home side did rattle Nigeria late on, Perry Monnaie capitalising on a momentary loss of concentration from Kenneth Omeruo, but his attempted chip over Francis Uzoho narrowly missed the target.

Next up for Nigeria in Group E is a home fixture against Libya on 10 October, while Seychelles are away to South Africa on the same day.