Chikatara grabs hat-trick, as Eagles beat Niger Republic 4-1

Abia Warriors’ Chisom Chikatara (left)

SECOND-half substitute, Chisom Chikatara, was the hero yesterday as Nigeria rose from a lustreless first half to beat Niger Republic 4-1 in their opening game of the Rwanda 2016 on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN). Nigeria had the better of the Group C match in Kigali, but they were frustrated by the offside tactics employed by Niger Republic.
The Super Eagles B team struggled to impose themselves over Mena, who were well-organised at the back, but that was to change in the second half when Coach Sunday Oliseh brought in Abia Warriors’ Chisom Chikatara for the ineffective Tunde Adeniji.
The second half was barely a minute old when the dangerous Osas Okoro outjumped the Mena defence to nod home a Prince Aggrey cross from the left flank.
And then, Chikatara took over from Okoro, who turned to the provider.
The Abia Warriors’ top striker took a fine lob from Okoro on his chest before unleashing a sizzling shot that left Niger Republic sprawling on the turf in the 74th minute.
Niger pulled a goal back in the 80th minute through a contender for the goal of the tournament scored by Zachariah
Adebayor. But Chikatara restored Nigeria’s two-goal just a minute after when he scrambled in a lay off by Okoro.
He had the chances to score his hat trick on a number of occasions after his second goal, but he failed to make hay.
However, the hat trick arrived in the 93rd minute to take the scores to 4-1.
The Eagles, who now top Group C, will meet Tunisia on Friday.