Nigeria’s home based Super Eagles, coached by Imama Amapakabo were walloped 4-1 by Togo in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 first leg second round qualifying game in Lome on Sunday.
Imama’s Eagles arrived at the Togolese capital with great hopes on Friday and went in front as early as the eight minute of play through league’s joint top scorer Sunusi Ibrahim.
The Eagles could not hang on to their lead for long though as they conceded in the 16th minute through Richard Nane’s effort. First half ended 1-1.
Nane would then add a second in the 67th minute when he tapped home during a goalmouth scramble. The goal came after a period of sustained pressure by the hosts.
Nigeria were penalised for a foul inside their penalty area fifteen minutes from time and impressive playmaker Marouf Tchakei (who had a hand in their first two goals) converted the spot kick beyond goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
With the game poised to end in the 3-1 scoreline, Nigeria’s defence went asleep in stoppage time and they were duly punished by Ashraf Agoro who ensured the Togolese secured the most comprehensive margin in the weekend’s qualification series.
The second leg of the Togo/Nigeria game will hold in four weeks’ time in Nigeria with winner over two legs advancing to the 2020 African Nations Championship to be hosted by Cameroon
Other CHAN 2020 First leg, second round results
Niger 2-0 Coted’voire
Ghana 0-1 Burkina Faso
Central Africa Republic 0-2 DR Congo
Equatorial Guinea 2-2 Congo Brazaville
Zimbabwe 3-1 Lesotho
Madagascar 1-0 Namibia
Ethiopia 0-1 Rwanda
Tanzania 0-1 Sudan
