Super Eagles of Nigeria
Super Eagles beat CAR 2:0 in Douala to avenge Lagos defeat
Two first half goals by defender, Leon Balogun and striker, Victor Osimhen were all the Super Eagles needed to dispatch Central African Republic’s national team, the Wild Beasts, in the return fixture of their Qatar FIFA World Cup Qualification Africa zone match played in Douala, Cameroun, Sunday afternoon.
The Super Eagles in avenging last Thursday’s shocking loss to the Central African nation in Lagos, have now bagged 9 points, going five points clear at the top Group C with Liberia and cape Verde yet to play.
If the Eagles had won against CAR in Lagos, last Thursday, today’s victory would have meant qualification to the next stage of the qualifying series with a game to spare, as they would have amassed 12 points. However, as it is, a victory in the match against Liberia in Monrovia will ensure that ticket is clinched.
Leon Balogun opened scoring for Nigeria in the 29th minute and his first goal for the Super Eagles after he raced into the box unmarked to expertly meet a long ball delivered by Chidozie Awaziem.
Victor Osimhen doubled the lead in first half stoppage time to register his second goal in the qualifying tournament.
He was denied his brace in the 57thminute, when he rounded up the goalkeeper, but his goal-bound shot was cleared from danger by a defender.
The Eagles enjoyed the ball possession and virtually camped in the half of their opponents, who set up a highly organised defence like they did in Lagos and relying on the counter to attack.
The first leg match played, last Thursday evening, inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, was the Eagles first loss at the pitch since returning to the Lagos arena. It was also their first loss in a world Cup qualifier in 40 years,
The mostly-foreign-based Gernot Rohr’s squad was lackluster for the entire 90 minutes of the match as they struggled to impress the 5,000 fans who thronged the stadium on the back last month’s impressive showing against Liberia which they won 2:0.
This was the team’s first loss in the qualifiers having won at home against Liberia and away to Cape Verde.
After 90 minutes of struggling, the hosts were stunned by a late goal, as the visiting team snatched all three points from the encounter.
Eagles Starting XI
Maduka Okoye – Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun (Kenneth Omeruo 74), William Ekong – Jamilu Collins, Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Ahmed Musa (Captain) (Chidera Ejuke 67) – Kelechi Iheanacho (Innocent Bonke 76), Victor Osimhen
