Lesotho 2 Nigeria 4 : Osimhen Scores First International Brace; Iwobi, Chukwueze Also On Target

Nigeria rounded off their hostilities for the year 2019 with a goal-laden victory (4-2) over Lesotho in their 2021 AFCON qualifier at the Setsoto stadium on Sunday evening.

Gernot Rohr made two changes to the starting line-up that beat Benin in Uyo five days ago, with Moses Simon and Chidozie Awaziem coming into the side at the expense of Samuel Kalu and Jamilu Collins respectively.

Lesotho took the lead against the run of play when Masoabi NkotO took advantage of some lax Nigeria defending to put the hosts ahead after eleven minutes following a cross from the left channel.

But the lead would only last till the 26th minute when Victor Osimhen led the Super Eagles press, charging down the right afterto set up Alex Iwobi who slotted home from close range.

The duo of Chukwueze and Osimhen looked particularly dangerous on the break and alongside Moses Simon, who tested goalkeeper Ntsane Lichaba with a ferocious drive from a free-kick.

On the 36th minute, Osimhen was at it again when he found space to ping in a lob which Chukwueze got on the end of to beat Lichaba with a good header.

The Lille striker was proving too difficult to handle for The Crocodiles, as he would yet threaten after the break when he rattled the cross bar with a shot.

He will then get his goal deep into the game when Ola Aina broke free from the right flank to play him in for a neat finish and take the game to 3-1.

Osimhen made it 4-1 on the 84th minute mark when impressive second half substitute Ramon Azeez shrugged off his marker to find the long-limbed front man who rounded Lichaba to grab his brace as Nigeria looked all but set to close out 2019 in style.

But there was still time for the charitable Eagles to gift Lesotho another goal deep into stoppage time; Chidozie Awaziem putting through his own net as the opposition tried to save face with some last minute press.

Nigeria Starting XI : Akpeyi, Awaziem, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Aina, Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Simon

Emmanuel Chinaza