Super Eagles thrash Cameroon 3-0 in int’l friendly

Nigeria claimed a deserved 3-0 victory over Cameroon in an international friendly, Sunday, played in Brussels, Belgium following an earlier lacklustre performance against the DR Congo on Thursday.

Nigeria took the lead in the 39th minute as Ambrose rose highest to head home a John Obi Mikel free kick from the left with Ondoa stranded in a crowded penalty area.

The Indomitabe Lions tried to stir from hibernation after the Nigeria goal and Benjamin Moukandjou did great work on the right in the 43rd minute but saw his dangerous cross fail to reach anyone on a yellow shirt when the slightest of touches would have seen the net bulge.

A minute later, the Lions threatened again from the left wing but Clinton N’jie’s cross again failed to reach a Cameroonian head or foot at the opportune moment.

Cameroon started the second half in the worst possible manner with Stephane M’bia dismissed after picking up a second booking following a shocking tackle on Igbonu a minute after the restart.

Cameroon continued to pour forward in search of the equalizer but were leaving open gaps at the back which the Nigerian side exploited to make the Lions pay on the hour following a counter attack finished with deadly efficiency.

KAA Gent attacker, Simon latched onto a long pass and turned a Cameroonian defender inside out before beating Ondoa at his near post with a cultured left-footed finish.

Substitute, Ighalo headed home a late third following an excellent team move as the Eagles finished things off with a flourish.

The victory comes as a relief to both coach Oliseh and players after a week of pressure occasioned by a loss to DR Congo and the unceremonious retirement from international football of the team captain, Vincent Enyeama, an event which appears to have been resolved with Enyeama reportedly returning to the team camp.