The Super Eagles of Nigeria struggled to a 1-0 win against the Taifa Stars in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers played on Saturday, September 3.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game late in the second half in Gernot Rohr’s first game in charge of the Super Eagles.
With Nigeria and Tanzania out of the race to qualify for the 2017 AFCON, the dead rubber game is a perfect opportunity for Rohr to know his players and his first team ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zambia in October.
Rohr who last month signed a two-year-contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles.
For his first game in charge, the German coach chose Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa on the flanks to support Odion Ighalo.
Captain John Mikel Obi started the game in midfielder and Iheanacho who shook off an injury concern to play for the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles started the game the brighter side as Moses missed the target with just a few inches in the fourth minute.
The Super Eagles had much if the ball and in the 17th minute missed a great chance to take the lead.
Musa shot at goal from 25 yards in the 26th minute but his effort was off target as the first half ended with the score goalless.
Mikel had a chance in the 53rd minute but his header from a corner kick was off target.
It was Ogenyi Onazi’s time to try his luck but his shot at goal was blocked in the 56th minute.
Iheanacho’s shot was tipped over by the Tanzanian goalkeeper just two minutes later before another Mikel effort was parried by the goalkeeper in the 60th minute.
Iheanacho who went off injured in his last game for Manchester City gave Nigeria the winning goal in the 78th minute.
The forward pulled the ball from the right and smashed a left footed effort in the top bottom corner to give Nigeria the winning goal.
