Nigeria has qualified for the quarter finals of the 5th African Nations Championship in Morocco.
Goals from Anthony Okpotu, Ekundayo Ojo and and Rabiu Ali helped the Eagles scale through an early scare to thrash Equatorial Guinea 3-1 inside the Stade Adrar, Agadir.
Both teams had a ding dong affair in the first few minutes of the match with the Eagles creating more scoring chances later into the game. With five minutes to half time, Equatorial Guinea took the lead as Nsi Eyama headed home from close range beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
The Eagles came into the second half with a better performance, more agility and pace towards achieving a positive result.
The big number nine who was yet to get a goal in the tournament, Anthony Okpotu headed home in between two defenders from Osas Okoro’s in –swinger to level up for Nigeria in the 59th minute.
Man of the match Dayo Ojo fired a rocket from 25 yards in the 69 minutes, and then Rabiu Ali who had replaced Ifeanyi Ifeanyi scored from the penalty spot after a foul on Anthony Okpotu in the box.
Consequently, Nigeria finished as Group C winners, and will return to the more familiar Grand Stade Tanger for their quarter final against the second –placed team in Group D on Sunday.
Victory in that game will mean another city movement, this time to Marrakech for the semi finals on Wednesday next week.
In already –set quarter final matches, hosts Morocco will take on Namibia in Casablanca on Saturday afternoon, while Zambia play Sudan in Marrakech on Saturday evening.
