Iheanacho’s goal nails Malians

Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho came in as second half substitute to score the only goal to help the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeat the Eagles of Mali 1-0 in an international friendly game played in Rouen,France yesterday.

The Eagles playing under interim coach,Salisu Yusuf used the game to prepare for the 2018 World Cup qualifier coming up later in the year while the Mali national team continued their build up to the 2017 Nations Cup in Gabon.

Iheanacho’s first international goal for the Eagles was scored in the 73rd minute few minutes after coming in for Arsenal youngster,Alex Iwobi.

Yusuf,who was in charge of the squad for the first time gave former Flying Eagles’ captain, Musa Muhammmed his debut at the right back position.

William Troost-Ekong made a return to the national team were he was paired in the heart of the central defence with another returnee,Leon Balogun.

Kingsley Madu whose last game for the Eagles was in the Nations Cup qualifier against Chad in Kaduna last year also started the game against Mali.

The technical crew opted for a 4-4-2 formattion with Ogenyi Onazi,Shehu Abdullahi,Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi in the midfield while Oghenekaro Etebo and Odion Ighalo led the the attacking line.

The first half ended goalless with rampaging Musa Muhammed and Ighalo almost giving the Eagles the lead.The Eagles of Mali also went close to scoring the opening goal towards the end of the first half.

In the second half,coach Yusuf made several changes bringing Turkey based Raheem Lawal for Onazi, Brown Ideye came in for Ighalo,Michael Babatunde was brought in for Moses Simon with Aminu Umar replacing Etebo.

However,it was the last subsitute,Iheanacho who grabbed the only goal of the match with a cool finish in the box.

The Eagles will play another friendly match on May 30 against the senoir national team of Luxembourg before returning to the country.