Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu, has thanked Nigerians for motivating him to show his best, after his late goal clinched a 1-0 win over Benin Republic on Saturday.
Onuachu came on for Kelechi Iheanacho in the 70th minute.
The Genk man then went on to head home the winner in the 93rd minute of their penultimate 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The goal ended Benin’s eight-year unbeaten home streak since their last loss to Algeria in a World Cup qualifying game in June 2013.
It was also Onuachu’s second goal in a Super Eagles shirt, after his winning goal on his debut outing against Egypt in a friendly match two years ago.
He told the NFF TV: “I’m just going to say, thanks to the nation for the push because they have really pushed me to show what I have to show in the national team. And now I am happy for the team and for the country. It is a lot of confidence for a striker to score, and I’m very happy.”
Nigeria qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday even before the victory in Benin after Sierra Leone settled for a goalless draw against Lesotho.
