- As CAR fall 0-2 in Douala
Defender Leon Balogun and forward Victor Osimhen were on target as Nigeria’s Super Eagles redeemed themselves defeating the Central African Republic 2-0 in the return fixture of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Scored in the first 45 minutes, the two goals were enough to help the three-time African champions pick all three points on the road following their Thursday’s embarrassing loss in Lagos
Against the backdrop of their 1-0 defeat in Lagos, Coach Gernot Rohr changed his tactics and opted for a more attacking starting XI with Ahmed Musa making his 100th appearance for the West Africans.
The visitors started Sunday’s encounter on a bright note with more possession and as early as in the ninth minute, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho combined but the Napoli striker could not find the target with his effort.
After 21 minutes into the game, CAR’s Freeman Niamathe received the first yellow card for a foul on Musa and two minutes later, Jospin Gaopandia became the second player to have his name in the referee’s books.
The Super Eagles finally got their breakthrough in the 29th minute after Balogun slotted home a cross from Chidozie Awaziem. The strike was Balogun’s maiden goal in Nigeria’s shirt since his debut in March 2014.
Shortly after the opening goal, the Wild Beasts were forced to make a change due to an injury to striker Georgino M’Vondo and Isaac Ngoma came into the fray in the 34th minute.
Rohr’s men continued their dominance and shortly after Ngoma was booked for a challenge on Balogun, doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with another defender William Troost-Ekong providing the assist for Osimhen to score his second goal in the World Cup qualifiers.
After the restart, Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka received Nigeria’s first yellow card in the game after a rough challenge on Ngoma in the 51st minute.
CAR’s brightest chance of the game came in the 58th minute when Karl Namnganda flashed his shot across the goalmouth after beating Troost-Ekong.
Skipper Musa came off for CSKA Moscow winger, Chidera Ejuke in the 65th minute, and later on, Nigeria made double substitutions in the 74th minute with Kenneth Omeruo replacing Balogun who limped off. This was after a challenge from Namnganda while Malmo midfielder Innocent Bonke came on for Iheanacho.
Four minutes after his introduction, Ejuke almost found the back of the net but his shot was parried by goalkeeper Prince Samolah. The last 10 minutes of the game saw Osimhen going down in a heap for medical treatment. However, the Napoli striker was able to complete the match as Nigeria grabbed their third win in Group C.
The Super Eagles remain on top with nine points after four matches, five more than CAR and Cape Verde, who face Liberia (3 points) later on Sunday. Next is the game against Liberia on November 11 before rounding up matters three days later in the group campaign against Cape Verde Islands.
