Victor Osimhen nets hat-trick as Nigeria's U23 beat Libya 4-0 in 2nd leg of the 2019 U23 AFCON qualifiers

An emergency draft from the Super Eagles, Osimhen scored one goal in the first half and two in the second before setting up Nigeria's fourth with a back-heel to seal a brilliant comeback.

Nigeria's U23 entered the game with a two-goal deficit after they lost the first leg 2-0 last week.

But with the help of Super Eagles players, Osimhen, Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem and Valentine Ozornwafor, Nigeria's U23 overpowered their Libyan counterparts to progress t the next round of qualifiers. 

Nigeria were dominant from the start as Kelechi Nwakali and captain Ikechukwu Azubuike controlled the game from midfield. 

It was Nwakali who made Nigeria’s first attempt on goal in the fifth minute but his shot was off target. 

Osimhen had a chance in the ninth minute but his shot went straight into the hands of the Libyan goalkeeper while Taiwo Awoniyi could not find the target after he was put through on goal in the 14th minute. 

Nigeria kept getting closer and in the 18th minute, Nwakali hit the woodwork with a free kick as the Dream Team kept up the pressure. 

After dominating the whole game, Nigeria got their first goal of the game in the 34th minute when Osimhen pounced on a loose ball in the box to score. 

Just before halftime, the woodwork stopped Nigeria from scoring twice, first from a Samuel Chukwueze freekick and an Osimhen effort from the edge of the box. 

Nigeria’s Dream Team continued from where they stopped in the first half after the break and had the ball in the Libyan half as they threw everything at the North Africans. 

The chances were however few to come by as Nigeria built slowly from the back. 

Osimhen netted again in the 67th minute to remove any apprehension, pouncing on a ball after the Libyan goalkeeper had split it to score. 

In the 81st minute, he completed his hattrick by slotting past the Libyan goalkeeper after he had been played through by Nwakali. 

It was a complete performance by Osimhen and his teammates and in the 90th minute he set up David Okereke with a back heel. 

Nigeria will now face the winner of the tie between Sudan and Kenya in the Third Round of qualifiers.