The Nigeria home-based Super Eagles team started their campaign at the African Nations Championships, CHAN, on a winning note as they thrashed West African neighbours, Niger, 4-1 at the 22, 000 capacity Kigali Regional Stadium on Monday.

After a drab first half, the second game of the day in Kigali finally burst to life in the second 45 minutes as Nigeria took the lead 30 seconds after the resumption of the second half through Osas Okoro.

Okoro, who plays for Enugu Rangers in the Nigeria Premier League, was perfectly set up by Tunde Adeniji and he calmly converted the chance that came his way.

The three other goals for Nigeria came off the boots of Abia Warriors fleet-footed striker, Chisom Chikatara who came in as a substitute for Adeniji.

The first of the night for Chikatara came in the 74th minute when he received a well floated pass from Okoro, the striker controlled the ball well before rifling it to the top corner of the net.

Niger gave Nigeria a scare when they pulled one goal back through Zakary Adebayor but Chikatara who was voted the man of the match was on hand to restore Nigeria’s two-goal lead.

After missing a flurry of chances, Chikatara completed his hatrick late in the game off an assist from Prince Aggreh to give Nigeria an empahtic win.

With the victory Nigeria are top in Group C with three points.