Abia Warriors Poster Boy Chisom Chikatara Fires Hat - trick In Super Eagles Win Vs Niger

Chisom Chikatara was the hero as the Super Eagles got their 2016 African Nations Championship assignment to a winning start.

The Abia Warriors youngster came off the bench to net a hat trick as Nigeria annihilated Niger 4-1 at the Stade De Kigali on Monday.

Niger and Nigeria were featuring in their second CHAN – Niger reached the quarterfinals in the 2011 tournament, while Nigeria finished third at the 2014 edition

The full international squads of both teams clashed in a friendly Port Harcourt in September with Nigeria running away 2-0 winners courtesy of goals by Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon.

Austin Obaroakpo of Abia Warriors wasx highly thought of by coach Sunday Oliseh, who had already capped him at full international level. His place today was taken up by Sunshine Stars defender Stephen Eze who started at the heart of the Defence.

Dan Kowa, an international since 2008, scored in both legs of the qualifiers for Niger to eliminate Togo 3-1 on aggregate.

Both teams missed a player each due to suspension – Ghanaian-born defender or defensive midfielder Kofi Dan Kowa bagged a booking in both legs of the qualifiers against Togo and was suspended for this clash of West African countries, while defender Obaroakpo also missed the game after he was booked in both legs against Burkina Faso last year.

Niger had an early chance to score with Idrissa Halidou Garba beating Jamiu Alimi for pace before he sent a lob that failed to beat Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal for Nigeria.

The skillful Osas Okoro soon threatened the Niger side from a solo effort as he shot the ball to goal. He should have done better with his effort.

Super Eagles gaffer Oliseh made an early change with Alimi, who was yellow carded in the 9th minute making way for Kalu Orji. The former Sharks defender wasn’t at his best in the match.

The Super Eagles failed to pile up the pressure on the Menas who were organized at the back.

Niger were fearless in their approach to the game, they restricted the Nigerian team to speculative attempts and kept their strikers at bay.

In the 39th minute, Aggrey got behind the Niger defence but his final ball was disappointing, just as the overall play of the Super Eagles in the first half.

Niger were the happier of the two teams as they had frustrated their more illustrious opponents with their offside tactic as the first half ended goalless.

The Super Eagles showed why they are one of the tournaments favourite with the curtain raiser in the 46th minute.

Rangers winger Okoro stabbed home a superb cross from Tunde Adeniji for the first goal of the game.

It was a perfect tonic the Oliseh tutored team needed after a disappointing first half display.

Super Eagles playmaker Bartholomew Ibenegbu spotted the lurking Eze with his free kick but the lanky lad missed from close range.

Niger came out of their shells in search of an equalizer with substitute Adebayor Zakari threatening the Nigerian side but his final delivery let him down.

In a bid to add freshness to the attack, coach Oliseh handed Chisom Kolanut Boy Chikatara his CHAN debut as the Abia Warriors youngster replaced Adeniji. It was a tactical switch that later paid off.

Nigeria almost doubled their advantage but Ifeanyi Matthew’s fierce strike was brilliantly blocked by Niger shot stopper Moussa Alzuoma.

In the 66th minute, Niger came very close to levelling matters, but Ibrahim Paraiso was too slow to shoot home with only goalkeeper Ezenwa to beat.

The menacing Aggreh then got behind the Niger defence but his low cross was blocked in the 69th minute.

Nigeria were two goals up in the 70th minute.

Chikatara rocketed the ball home from Okoro’s pass. An amazing long ball was whipped to the path of the Kolanut Boy who controlled masterfully before pulling the trigger.

Nine minutes to the end of the thrilling match, Adebayor reduced the deficit as the Menas tried to fight back.

Chikatara had other ideas as he restored the Super Eagles’ two-goal lead in the 82nd minute. He benefitted from another Okoro’s assist.

In the 89th minute, the dangerous Chikatara then missed the chance to net a treble.

The Kolanut Boy finally got a treble for himself at injury time. He latched on to a pass from Aggreh before delivering a brilliant finish beyond the goalkeeper.

Nigeria won the game 4-1 and went on top of Group C with three points from one game.

How Both Teams Lined Up

Nigeria: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Chima Akas (C), Matthew Etim, Jamiu Alimi (Kalu Orji 17’), Stephen Eze, Paul Onobi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Usman Mohammed 70’), Osas Okoro, Tunde Adeniji (Chisom Chikatara 58’), Prince Aggreh

Niger: Alzouma – Inoussa, Amadou, Shehu, Oumarou, Garba, Sakou (C), Imarana, Katkore, Salamoun, Koudize

Photo Credit : thenff.com