The Super Eagles thrashed the Hawks of Togo 3-0 on Thursday in an international friendly in Paris and has set tongues wagging ahead of their AFCON 2019 qualifier against South Africa on the 10th.
Ahmed Musa scored a brace before Kelechi Iheanacho made it three all in the first half, as the Eagles showed their superiority over the Hawks in a game billed to prepare them for the clash against the South Africans.
And it was an impressive evening as the Super Eagles took their Togolese counterparts to the cleaners, but here are the five things we learnt from the match.
1. Ahmed Musa looks settled…marriage must be good
He scored twice within the first 20 minutes to equal the number of goals he had scored for the Super Eagles over the last two years. Overall, he looked sharp despite not playing often at Leicester and was a constant threat for the Togolese. We guess his new marriage has something to do with his new improved state of mind.
2. Iwobi is a star
The young attacker may not have scored in this match, but he was responsible for Nigeria’s first two. He was just too much for the Togolese, who had no response to his trickery and pace. He just needs to add goals to his game and if he continues like this…well, we can only guess how good he will become.
3. Iheanacho is a goal banger
The 20-year old may not be a proper number 9, but he keeps showing how good he is in front of goal. He has now scored seven goals in 10 games for the Super Eagles and if he continues at this rate, he will surely become Nigeria’s top scorer of all time.
4. Ndidi is future captain
The boy is pure class. For someone so young, the way he reads and interprets the game is mind-blowing. He always seem in control and calm in possession and is already looking like a future Super Eagles captain.
5. The Eagles are in the right direction
Not so many people knew the pedigree of Gernot Rohr when he took charge of the team and as a result, there were a lot of doubts as to his ability. But so far so good. Yet to lose a game, and the Eagles are now playing with so much confidence that had been lacking in the team for years. The future surely looks bright and if they keep at it, then they will land in Russia next year and possibly win the AFCON in two years’ time.
Chris Oguguo
