Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria booked their passage to the knockout stages of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Saturday evening with a 3-1 win over Sudan at the Noumde Ajia stadium, Garaou as they joined Cameroon and Morocco among the big favourites who have reached the round of 16 of the tournament.
Forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon were the scorers for the three time African champions.
Villarreal winger Chukwueze profited from a Moses Simon pass with only three minutes into the match.
The Eagles had more chances to double their lead with a 26th minute opportunity gifted Awoniyi after the Union Berlin striker was found by Kelechi Iheanacho but his effort was deflected for a corner kick.
Awoniyi was however lucky just before the half time break when his fruituoius header bubbled into the bottom left corner as Sudanese keeper Ali Abueshren failed to retrieve the ball.
Match of the Match winner Moses Simon made it 3-0 in the 46th minute with a brilliant finish at the near post.
Alex Iwobi had a goal ruled out by the referee shortly after the third goal as Kelechi Iheanacho who provided the assist had retrieved the ball after it crossed the byline.
Sudan however reduced the arrears in the 68th minute when Waliedin Khidir scored from the penalty spot after Ola Aina was correctly yellow carded for a foul in the box which was spotted by the VAR.
Both sides created a few more chances but it ended 3-1 enough for the Nigerian side to secure qualification to the business end of the tournament.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
