Nigeria 4 Romania 1 : Brighton & Hove Star Umotong, Chikwelu, Ihezuo, Onome Strike For African Champs

Published: January 20, 2019

African champions Nigeria returned to winning ways after beating Romania 4-1 at the four-nation invitational tournament in China on Sunday morning.

The World Cup bound team handled by Thomas Dennerby were thrashed 3-0 by China in their first game this calendar year prior to today's convincing win against Romania, their first victory over European opposition in twenty years.

The Super Falcons were the better side but found it difficult to break Romania's defensive block until a minute before half-time when Chiwendu Ihezuo opened the scoring.

Nine minutes after the break, the Europeans restored parity before defender Onome Ebi got on the scoresheet to make it 2-1 after 63 minutes.

On 68 minutes, Swedish-based midfielder Rita Chikwelu struck to put the game out of Romania's reach.

Romania's bad dream turned into a nightmare seven minutes from time when Brighton & Hove striker Ini Umotong scored to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

Nigeria Starting XI : Nnadozie, Michael, Ohale, Ebi, Ogebe, Ajibade, Chikwelu, Ayinde, Ordega, Ihezuo, Imo

Substitutes : Oluehi, Ohiaerieku, Okoronkwo, Umotong, Emenayo, Okobi, Ogbonna, Chukwunonye, Uchendu

Ifeanyi Emmanuel