Odion Ighalo came off the bench to score his first international goal as Nigeria began their Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a 2-0 victory over Chad yesterday.

The Hornets striker converted from the penalty spot in the 79th minute after Ogenyi Onazi had been sent off for his part in a skirmish that followed the awarding of the spot kick for a foul on Ighalo.

After a goalless first half in their Group G opener in Kaduna, the Super Eagles had taken the lead after 62 minutes through Gbolahan Salami.

Another Watford player who made a substitute appearance to positive effect was Ikechi Anya as Scotland came from behind to draw 1-1 against the Republic of Ireland in their European Championship qualifier in Dublin.

The wideman was surprisingly left out of Gordon Strachan’s starting XI but after a poor performance from Scotland in a first half which had seen Jon Walters give the Irish the lead, Anya was introduced at the start of the second period and within a minute of the restart the visitors were level as a Shaun Maloney shot was deflected in off John O’Shea.

The draw keeps Scotland third in Group D, two points behind Germany and thee adrift of leaders Poland.

Northern Ireland remain on track for automatic qualification from Group F following their goalless draw with leaders Romania in Belfast.

Craig Cathcart was another Watford player to make a substitute appearance, coming on for the final ten minutes of normal time in place of Jonny Evans as Michael O’Neill’s men stayed a point behind the group leaders.

However, Northern Ireland’s advantage over third-placed Hungary has been cut to two points after Zoltan Stieber’s 82nd-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win in Finland.

Daniel Tozser played the full 90 minutes while former Hornets striker Tamas Priskin also started but was replaced at the start of the second half.