By Amosu Adeboye
Nigeria qualified for the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt in fine style after they dumped Sudan 5-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
The Nigeria U23s thus qualified 5-1 on aggregate after they lost the first leg in Sudan 1-0.
Taiwo Awoniyi opened scoring after nine minutes, when he headed home off a rebound.
Ndifreke Effiong doubled the home team’s lead on 26 minutes with a powerful header into the roof of the Sudan net.
He completed his brace just before halftime when he slotted home after a fine buildup play by Nigeria.
Substitute Sunday Faleye made it 4-0 with almost his first touch of the ball, before the Austria-based forward assisted Sunusi Ibrahim to get a fifth goal for Nigeria two minutes later. Before then Olabiran, who celebrated his 21st birthday at the weekend, was denied at least twice by the brilliant goalkeeper of Sudan in the second half.
Kelechi Nwakali, who missed the first leg in Sudan, shone in the heart of the middle of the park with his wide-range of passing to take full control of the midfield battle.
Skipper Okechukwu Azubuike and Olabiran also caught the eye with the individual brilliance.
