Nigeria hammer Niger 4-1 to lead Group C

Monday Nigeria 4-1 NigerTunisia 2-2 Guinea Nigeria secured the biggest win of the 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals after hammering Niger 4-1 on Monday at Kigali Regional Stadium to lead Group C ahead of Guinea and Morocco, who drew 2-2 in the early kick-off. Striker Chisom Chikatara, who came on as a second half substitute for Sunday Oliseh’s team, netted the first hat trick of the tournament with clinical finishes, after Osas Okoro, who put the African giants in the lead. Zakaar Adebayor gave Niger a glimmer of hope when he made it 2-1 in the second half, but the Super Eagles, restored their 2-goal caution seconds later. This is fifth win for Nigeria against Republic of Niger in six meetings. Nigeria will turn their focus on Tunisia who drew 2-2 against Guinea, while Niger next faces Guinea on Friday. Meanwhile, Tunisia and Guinea shared spoils in the 2016 African Nations Championship Group C opener on Monday afternoon. The entertaining game ended in a 2-2 draw, with strikers Ahmed Akaichi and Alseny Camara Agogo taking centre stage by scoring a brace each for Tunisia and Guinea respectively. The North Africans will feel they have let two points slip out of their hands, having twice held the lead while also hitting the woodwork on two occasions, while Mohamed Kanfory Bangoura’s side are satisfied with the result on their CHAN debut. “We are going to re-organise for the match against Nigeria which will be even tougher,” Tunisia head coach Tunisia Hatem Missaoui said. He added that, “We tried to win the game but Guinea played well, they are good on counter attacks, but hopefully, we will be better in the next game and get a better result.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Nigeria hammer Niger 4-1 to lead Group C