The Super Eagles defeated Liberia 2-0 in their fifth Group C game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Grand Stade de Tangier, in Tangier Morocco on Saturday.
Goals from Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa, both from the penalty spot, secured the win for the Eagles.
In the group’s other game, Cape Verde came from a goal down to beat Central African Republic 2-1 to stay in contention.
The results means the Eagles remain top on 12 points and Cape Verde are second on 10 points.
Both Liberia and Central African Republic, on three and four points respectively, are out in the race to advance to the final round of the qualifiers.
The Eagles will host Cape Verde on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Tuesday and will need just a point to qualify while the visitors will need an outright win.
The Eagles had the first chance in the fourth minute through Osimhen, but he was flagged offside.
In the 15th minute the Eagles got the first goal from the penalty spot thanks to Osimhen afterIheanacho was fouled inside the box by Lone Star’s goalkeeper, Boison Wynney De Souza.
Liberia were awarded a freekick in a dangerous area on 26 minutes but the effort failed to trouble Maduka Okoye in goal.
Just three minutes later Jamilu Collins thought he had doubled the Eagles’ lead but was flagged for offside.In the 32nd minute Osimhen had a good chance to make it 2-0 only to see his effort go over the bar.
In the 40th and 43rd minutes the Lone Star went close but were denied by good saves from Okoye.
The home team continued to search for the equalizer but were denied following good defending by Leon Balogun.
Just one minute into the second half the Eagles almost doubled their lead but Osimhen saw his chance hit the side net.
In the 50th minute Moses Simon over hit an intended pass for Osimhen who was in a good position to score.The Eagles made their first change of the game with the returning Chidera Ejuke replacing Alex Iwobi.
In the 73rd minute Chidozie Awaziem tried a shot outside the 18 yard box which went over the crossbar.
And in the 90th minute the Eagles doubled their lead as Musa scored from the penalty spot following the Liberia goalkeeper’s foul on Osimhen.
Ismail Olaminiyi reports
