- As 1-0 loss to CAR in Lagos shocks Nigerians
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Sunday, October 10, 2021, presents redemption day for Nigeria’s Super Eagles following their embarrassing 0-1 loss to the Central African Republic (CAR) inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos
And the occasion is the return fixture against CAR as the Eagles continue their journey to pick a ticket for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup with a trip to Douala in Cameroon.
Though the three-time African champions are still in the driving seat, no thanks to the shocking defeat by FIFA’s 120th-ranked team, the African World Cup Group C qualifying series is now open to all the competing countries.
On Thursday, Nigeria struggled to break their visitors’ defence with no incisive attempt at goal and they were made to pay for it in the 90th minute as CAR converted their only shot on target through Karl Namnganda’s strike.
In the absence of Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, it was Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Rangers star Joe Aribo that got the nod to start for Nigeria while Francis Uzoho was in goal ahead of Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi.
Solid and more coordinated at the back, the CAR team got the reward for their tenacity taking advantage of a miscalculation between William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, which left Namnganda to fire his shot past helpless Uzoho.
Following the lack of cutting edge in the first half, Gernot Rohr decided to make a tactical change with Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi replacing Kelechi Iheanacho immediately after the break.
Awoniyi, making his maiden outing for the Eagles, came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute after Osimhen’s shot struck the post but the effort went off target.
As the match wore on, Ahmed Musa and Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu replaced Joe Aribo and Moses Simon respectively, but their impact could not help the Super Eagles beat CAR goalkeeper Prince Samola.
However, despite the embarrassing defeat in Lagos, the Super Eagles are still atop Group C with six points after three games while CAR moved level on four points with Cape Verde and Liberia dropped to the bottom with three points from the same number of games.
Earlier on Thursday, Cape Verde Islands fought back to defeat Liberia 2-1 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra. – With Goal.com reports
