Iheanacho fires Eagles past Taifa Stars

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho’s 78th minute ferocious drive from outside the box helped the Super Eagles beat Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Uyo stadium on Saturday.

It was an inconsequential game though, as both teams had already crashed out of the race to next year’s edition of the event in Gabon, with Egypt grabbing the Group D sole ticket before the final day of the qualifiers.

It was a winning start for new coach Gernot Rohr, but the German would certainly be worried with the way the Eagles wasted several begging chances, though impressive Taifa Stars goalkeeper Aishi Manula must get the credit for pulling of superb saves, some in one-on-one situations.

Ahmed Musa fluffed a chance in the 12th minute after a sublime pass from captain Mikel Obi but Manula was on hand to deny the hosts the lead 12 minutes later, when he saved from Iheanacho.

Chelsea forward Victor Moses was a major culprit as he blew away what should have been the opener in the 26th minute. He was then denied by Manula in the 33rd minute inside the six-yard box.

Watford man Odion Ighalo was also left frustrated after Manula thwarted his effort just before the break. It was same story in the second period, with Brown Ideye also contributing his quota to the wasted chances but it was the Eagles who had the last laugh courtesy of Iheanacho’s rifling volley 12 minutes before regulation time, with Manula left frustrated.