Iheanacho & Ndidi Star As Nigeria Reach AFCON Last-16
- Nigeria reach the last-16 at AFCON with a 3-1 success over Sudan on Saturday
- Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi both started for the Super Eagles
- It came after Iheanacho's fine strike from distance secured a 1-0 win over Egypt in midweek
- The three-time winners are currently top of Group D with maximum points from two games
Following an impressive success against Egypt on matchday one, courtesy of Iheanacho's stunner, the Super Eagles were looking to strengthen their bid for top spot in Group D. This victory keeps them at the summit of their pool, on six points, five clear of Guinea-Bissau, who face Egypt on Saturday night.
The clash got off to the perfect start as Samuel Chukwueze capitalised on loose defending to fire Nigeria in front early on. Taiwo Awoniyi, the Union Berlin striker, then inadvertently doubled his side's lead as Iheanacho's free-kick ricocheted off his head and into the Sudanese goal before the interval.
Ndidi, on the other hand, narrowly missed out on adding his name to the scoresheet with a headed effort half way through the opening 45 minutes.
Immediately after the restart, Nantes winger Moses Simon chested a high ball down and slid it into the net to further assert Nigeria's dominance. Iheanacho was then substituted, on 65 minutes, with former Leicester team-mate Ahmed Musa, now with Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük, taking his place.
1970 champions Sudan, participating in the contest for the first time in a decade, were then awarded a spot-kick with Abdelgader Karshoum's shirt being tugged by Ola Aina in the area. Khedr Safour Daiyeen stepped up to get one back from 12 yards, but the Super Eagles held out for the points.
Guinea-Bissau are next up for Nigeria on Wednesday, while Daniel Amartey (Ghana) and Papy Mendy (Senegal) are also at AFCON this winter. Make sure to check back to LCFC.com and follow @LCFC on social media for regular updates from the tournament in Cameroon.