Ighalo scores brace as Super Eagles defeat Libya 3-2 in AFCON qualifier

- Nigeria go top of Group E following 3-2 victory over Libya

- Ighalo scores brace as Musa added another for the Super Eagles

- Nigeria will take on South Africa in their next qualifying match

Odion Ighalo scored in each half of the match as the Super Eagles recorded a narrow 3-2 win over Libya in Sfax, Tunisia.

The match started on a bright note for the Nigerian side as Ahmed Musa combined well with Alex Iwobi to find Ighalo in the box who had an easy tap-in after 14 minutes.

The Changchun Yatai striker returned the favour three minutes later as he found Musa who forced his way into three Libyan defenders before scoring Nigeria's second.

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Libya responded in the 35th minute as a near post header by Mohamed Zubya completely beat Francis Uzoho in goal to make it 2-1.

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The second half became more difficult for the three-time African champions as Libya piled up the pressure.

And the long wait for an equalizer finally came as Ahmad Benali made it 2-2 in the 74th minute after an initial Uzoho's save fell kindly into his path as he tucked it away to keep the game open.

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However, an individual brilliance from Ighalo gave Nigeria a crucial victory as he beat two defenders and drove in left-foot shot to make it 3-2.

Nigeria now top Group E after South Africa were held to a 0-0 scoreline in Seychelles in the other game.

Both Nigeria and South Africa will play what should be the deciding group match on Friday, November 15, at the FMB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Read below for our minute-by-minute update of the entertaining encounter.

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FT

90+3' It's the final whistle as Nigeria record a big win, 3-2 in favour of Nigeria it ended.

90+2' YELLOW CARD! Ndidi is brandished a yellow card for rough play.

90' It's 3-2 in favour of Nigeria as we approach the closing stages of the match.

88' Uzoho makes an aerial catch but makes a collision with a player as the referee blows for a free kick to Nigeria.

88' A good cross from Aina on the right as Onyekuru twists and turns but his shot went wide.

87' A Libyan player is down as Nigeria

86' Musa wins a corner as trying to beat a defender.

81' Lovely individual play from Ighalo as he dribbles two defenders before shooting with his left-boot. The goal came completely out of nothing. Igaho now has five goals in two matches.

81' GOOOAAAAL!

80' SUBSTITUTION! Onyekuru comes in for Kalu.

79' SUBSTITUTION! Salim Balid comes on for Zaeblia.

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74' Ahmad Benali brings Libya back into the match. It's 2-2.

74' GOOOOAAAAAAAL!

72' A dreadful mistake from Ekong but the Libyan striker fails to foresee it as he misses the ball.

69' The Super Eagles are getting back into the game gradually but are hoping for a defensive error to capitalize.

67' Iwobi makes a move on the right and shoots but his shot was blocked. Musa tries to find Ighalo in the box immediately but caught offside.

66' Ighalo is tripped from behind as Nigeria win a free kick.

64' SUBSTITUTION! Rabia Alshardi comes on for Ismael

63' Nice interception by Musa as he finds Iwobi who gives it back but well time by the Libyan defender.

61' It's Libya 1-2 Nigeria. The match is evenly contested at the moment but Libya are getting the better of the chances.

59' CHANCE! Lovely run from a Libyan attacker as his shot was saved into the side-netting by Uzoho for a corner. Corner taken but cleared with more conviction from Nigeria.

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57' Gernot Rohr is on his feet as he is worried about the way the Super Eagles are playing at the moment.

56' A free kick in a dangerous position for Libya as a header on target but Uzoho makes an easy catch.

54' Libya with the chance from Abdulsalam but Uzoho produces a fantastic save to put the over the bar as he remains on ground for treatment.

53' The corner is cleared but Musa makes the run in the box but referee spots a goal-kick.

51' Igahlo wins a free-kick in the Libyan half from a high-boot from a defender. Kalu floats it in into the box as Nigeria win the corner

49' The Super Eagles passing the ball around looking for an opening as the Libyans defend well.

47' YELLOW CARD! Francis Uzoho needlessly gets cautioned for time-wasting.

46' Nigeria begin the second half as lose possession to the North African side. Libya fires a shot in but way over the bar for a goal-kick to Nigeria.

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45+1' Libya piling up the pressure as they constantly launch a cross into the Nigerian 18-yard box but well defended by the Nigeria side. The referee blows the half time whistle. It's Libya 1-2 Nigeria.

45' A nasty collision from Libyan striker and Uzoho after the Nigerian keeper had to make a double save from a shot. Uzoho stays on the ground as the medical team attends to him.

42' Nigeria are on their toes at the moment as the Libyans are the more confident side after scoring the goal.

40' The first caution of the match as Abdulsalam is shown a yellow card for simulation.

36' Another chance for Libyans but the referee calls for an infringement as Troost-Ekong was out-muscled by the striker.

35' Libya pull one back courtesy of a free kick flicked into the box as Mohamed Zubya heads it in at the near post.

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35' GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!

33' Nigeria still with the two-goal lead and in control of possession. Classic football played by the Super Eagles as the hold on to the ball confidently.

31' Iwobi finds Ighalo in the box again as he was wrong footed to apply the control and the ball goes into the advantage of the opponents.

29' Musa drives in again as another defender makes a sliding tackle to win Nigeria a corner kick. Kalu takes it but a defensive clearance made quickly.

26' The Nigerian side are making things look easy, connecting string of passes from the midfield to the defence.

25' The Libyans are trying to get themselves back into the match as they pushed forward to at least get a goal.

23' Chance for Libya from a tight angle as Uzoho saves but the ball was drilled into the box again as it sails agonizingly wide.

20' CHANCE! Ighalo misses from close range.

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18' Ahmed Musa scores from a classic counter attacking move from the Super Eagles as Ighalo returns the favour to the captain who makes his way between three defenders to score Nigeria's second. Its Libya 0-2 Nigeria.

18' GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!

15' Libya 0-1 Nigeria.

13' Lovely through ball from Iwobi to Musa who finds Ighalo as the former Watford striker taps into an empty net. Good team work from the Nigerians and its Igahlo fourth goal in two games.

13' GOOOOOAAAAAAAAL!

11' The Super Eagles knocking the ball around patiently from the midfield to the defence but lack that touch in the final third.

9' Corner taken but to no avail. Gernot Rohr's men have settled better than their North African opponents.

8' A free kick awarded to Nigeria and taken by Musa and a headed clearance from the Libyans but the Super Eagles wins the corner.

6' Libya try to break but Balogun intercepts and builds up from defence as Iwobi finds Ahmed Musa on the left but a good tackle by the defender.

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4' The Libyans are playing with more caution, having more men behind the ball when the Nigerians are in possession.

2' A long one launched into the Libyan box but straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

2' The Libyans try to settle into the match quickly but the Super Eagles win possession as they win a free-kick in their own half.

1' The match gets underway as the Libyans begin the match playing from left to right, dressed in their traditional red and black strip while Nigeria wear an all green strip.

- The Super Eagles are up against Libya in an AFCON qualifier

- The reverse fixture of the match will take place in Sfax, Tunisia

- Gernot Rohr's were 4-0 victors to Libya in the first leg in Uyo

Nigeria and Libya will trade tackles in the second phase of the AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday, October 16, in Sfax, Tunisia.

The Super Eagles thrashed their Libyan counterparts by 4-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo last Saturday.

The three-time African champions will be expecting lightening to strike twice when they come neck to neck against their North African opponents.

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Libya on the other hand, will be looking to keep their qualification hope alive after dropping to third on the table with four points.

In the other group game, South Africa walloped Seychelles by 6-0 to go top of the log with seven points from three matches. The rainbow nation will take on their neighbours in the reverse fixture in Victoria.

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Nigeria are second with six points from three matches having lost their first match South Africa by 2-0 in Uyo.

Date: Tuesday, October, 16, 2018

Time: 7pm (Nigerian time)

Venue: Sfax, Tunisia

Legit.ng will bring you live updates of this encounter.

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