The Eagles struggled to strike a rhythm in the early stages but they created their first real chance in the eighth minute when Ahmed Musa chested down Gbolahan Salami’s cross inside the box for Madu Kingsley, but the left-back’s effort went wide.
The visitors should have taken the lead in the 17th minute but Vincent Enyeama produced a world-class save, parrying for a corner.
Striker Odion Ighalo set up Gbolahan Salami in the second half before converting a penalty kick as the Super Eagles defeated a resilient Chadian side 2-0 in their opening match of Group G in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna State.
Musa then saw his free-kick tipped over the bar by keeper Mbairamadji Dillah five minutes later.
The Chadians grew in confidence afterwards, with Ninga Casmir and Ndouassel Ezechiel tormenting the Nigerian defence.
Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi set up Kingsley Madu after a sleek move in the 34th minute. Madu crossed to Salami in the box, but Dillah parried Salami’s goal-bound effort. The Warri Wolves man then headed the rebound over the bar.
China-based striker Aaron Samuel’s free kick, eight minutes into the second half, hit the far post with Dillah beaten.
Coach Stephen Keshi brought on Rabiu Mohammed for Babatunde Michael and Odion Ighalo for the injured Samuel and the changes paid off immediately.
Ighalo got the better of his marker in the box before setting up Salami, whose ferocious shot gave Dillah no chance.
The goal sent Kaduna fans into rapturous celebrations. Few minutes later, Ighalo was brought down in the box but the angry Chadians contested the penalty. Onazi was shown a red after a retaliatory attack on Ezechiel during the melee that trailed the referee’s decision.
But it didn’t affect Watford’s Ighalo, who converted the penalty for Nigeria’s second goal of the evening.
The victory brought some respite to the country’s football-crazy fans after the Flying Eagles’ elimination from the U-20 World Cup on Thursday and the Super Falcons’ 2-0 defeat to Australia at the Women’s World Cup in Canada on Friday.
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