The Super Eagles of Nigeria got their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign on a winning note with a 2-0 victory over Chad in Kaduna on Saturday.
Goals from Gbolahan Salami and Odion Ighalo were enough to help Nigeria secure the win at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
Stephen Keshi handed debuts to Anderson Esiti and Kingsley Madu, but it was not the most convincing performance from the team who are looking to return to the AFCON after missing the last edition in Equatorial Guinea.
The Eagles waited until the 63rd minute to break the deadlock with a strike from Salami. The forward latched onto a loose ball in the box and blasted it high into the roof of the net.
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Watford striker Ighalo scored from the penalty spot with 11 minutes remaining, moments after teammate Ogenyi Onazi was sent off for a needless shuffle with opponents.
The other Group G match will see Egypt host Tanzania in Alexandria on Sunday.
The Super Eagles will face Tanzania away in their next game on September 4, 2015.
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Lineups
Nigeria
Enyeama, Leon Balogun, Kingsley Madu, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong; Anderson Esiti, Ogenyi Onazi, Babatunde Michael (Rabiu Ibrahim 60’); Ahmed Musa, Aaron Samuel (Odion Ighalo 62’), Gbolahan Salami (John Ogu 85’)
Chad
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Mbairamadji Dillah, Constant Madtoingue, Massama Asselmo, Kevin Nicaise, Nadjim Haroun, Morgan Betorangal (Beadoum Monde 86’), Marius Mbaiam (Mahamat Labo 61’), Hilaire Kedigui, Azrack Mahamat, Ezechiel N’Douassel, Ninga Casimir
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