AFCON Qualifier: Eagles pocket three points Subdue Squirrels 2-1

Super Eagles survived an initial scare to claim a 2-1 victory over hard fighting Squirrels of Benin at the Uyo Stadium on Wednesday.

The Squirrels had fired the first salvo as early as the 5th minute through Stephane Sessegnon and maintained their lead till the dying minutes of the first half when Lille forward Victor Osimhen converted a penalty to level scores just before the end of first 45 minutes.

Resumption of hostilities in the second half saw the Eagles making better passes and playing more purposeful football which yielded harvest in the 63rd minute when Bordeaux ace Samuel Kalu grabbed Nigeria’s second goal thanks to an impressive shot that caught the Squirrels goalkeeper napping.

Kalu’s goal threw the massive crowd at the Godswill Akpabio stadium into frenzy as the drumming and singing then took a new dimension.

The Eagles created ample chances that would have given the team the third goal but for the Benenoir goalkeeper Farnolle who towards the end of the match stood like rock of Gibraltar making breath-taking saves that put Eagles shots away.

Prior to the match 68% of fans who predicted possible result on Live score said Eagles will win, 23% said it will end in a draw while 9% said the Squirrels will shock Eagles at home.

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Meanwhile Eagles opponents in the second qualifier billed for Sunday, Crocodiles of Lesotho achieved an impressive result away forcing Sierra leone to a 1-1 draw in   Freetown.

The Gernot Rohr tutored side will depart Nigeria on Friday for the battle of Maseru.