Nigeria defeated Libya 1-0 on Friday evening to record their first win at the 2018 African Nations Championship in Morocco.
Sunday Falaye’s strike in the 79th minute was enough to give the Super Eagles the maximum points after Monday’s 0-0 draw against Rwanda.
Despite their inability to get past the Amavubi in their opening game, Salisu Yusuf kept faith in the same lineup that featured in Tangier on Monday.
Nigeria’s forward play lacked any sharpness while Libya offered next to nothing despite winning a myriad of set pieces in dangerous positions, as the first 45 minutes at Grand Stage de Tanger ended in a drab affair.
It took until the 53rd minute for any meaningful showing from the Eagles B side. Faleye brilliantly fooled two Libyan defenders on the left before firing in a cross which was met with a low-quality diving header by Anthony Okpotu.
Two minutes later, the Shooting Stars forward beat his marker to set up Emeka Ogbugh whose header was saved.
Immediately after the hour mark, Yusuf brought on Ibrahim Mustapha for the largely
Ibrahim Mustapha was brought on in after the hour mark for the largely ineffective Okpotu, but it was the Mediterranean Knights that responded via Abdelsalam Alaqoub. The striker’s low effort from outside the area went inches wide of the left post.
The goal came in the 79th minute. Osas Okoro’s corner kick into a crowded area fell kindly for young forward Falaye, who made no mistake as he fired past Mohamed Nashnush.
