Nigeria's Super Eagles claimed a breath saving 3-2 win over Libya in the reverse fixture of the 2019 AFCON qualifying match at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax, Tunisia.
The encounter proved to be a hard nut to crack as the Gernot Rohr tutored-side, struggled to score a late winner via Odion Ighalo, his second on the night, to claim maximum points.
A much better performance was expected from the Eagles after last weekend's 4-0 bashing in Uyo, at least to consolidate with a better goals margin.
This will see the three-time African champions, Nigeria on track for next year's edition in Cameroon with two more games to go..
READ ALSO: Ighalo scores brace as Super Eagles defeat Libya 3-2 in AFCON qualifier
NAIJ.com in the report highlights 5 things we observed during the Super Eagles' 3-2 win over Libya in Sfax on Tuesday, October 16.
5. Super Eagles are still a work in progress
The overall performance showed that the team is still a work in progress. The technical crew are expected to do a reassessment of squad members going forward.
The North Africans were not bad as a team, but were not in their best groove. Even with morale low in camp, they battled on leaving the Eagles had to dig-deep to claim a win at the dead.
4. Wilfred Ndidi will miss the next AFCON match
The Eagles midfield is another department that need to be worked on. Ndidi received a careless caution against the Libyans on Tuesday night, and would not play any role against the South Africans, next month.
Therefore, we need top midfielders that can serve as quality replacement and join the likes of Oghenekaro Etebo in checking the forays of the fleet footed Bafana Bafana in the next AFCON cracker.
3. Francis Uzoho as Super Eagles No 1?
The big question on the lips of most fans remain the shambolic display of the Spain-based shot-stopper.
His confidence was missing, his timings and clearance were poor and to a large extent he appeared lost in his thoughts.
Indeed, it is high time we declare a state of emergency in our goalkeeping department ahead of the 2019 AFCON remaining fixtures, so that quality goalkeepers could be sorted out. It is the national team of Nigeria and today is early days.
The journey ahead will be tougher than what happened on Tuesday night in Sfax. And it would be counterproductive that Nigeria lose important matches due to school-boy errors from our goalkeeper.
2. Ola Aina was missing in action
The Eagles left back position is still one other area that have tormented Nigeria lately.
And it seems we are yet to find a solution for that position. Going forward, the team's technical crew need to make required adjustment.
Two goals on the night from his position, does not say good for a player and a team that is apiring to play among Africa's best at the 2019 AFCON next summer.
1. Ighalo deserves the praises from Nigerians
China-based Ighalo deserves all the accolades he is currently enjoying. He was indeed a God-sent and played a big role in ensuring the Eagles are just a point away from making it to the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon. After netting five times in two matches, the former Watford striker has shown he still has a lot of goals in him.
In addition, Ighalo alongside the pair of Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa showed that Nigeria is still a threat on the continent going forward.
In the two games, the Eagles scored 7 times an average of 3.5 goals per game, a decent result from the strikers..
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Source: Naija.ng
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