10 October 2021 | 17:20Victor Osimhen of Nigeria celebrates scoring a goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between CAR and Nigeria at the Omnisports Stadium © Alain Guy Suffo/BackpagePix
Nigeria got their revenge in a CAF second-round 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying match as they defeated the Central African Republic (CAR) 2-0 at Stade de la Réunification in Douala on Sunday.
The Super Eagles slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat against the same opponents in Lagos earlier this week, but redeemed themselves to move five points clear atop Group C, ahead of Cape Verde’s match at home to Liberia later this evening.
Shockwaves were sent through Nigeria following the defeat as pressure mounted on head coach Gernot Rohr, but the West African nation delivered a timely response.
Leon Balogun atoned for his costly mistake in defeat to the Wild Beasts by opening the scoring in the 29th minute of the match in Cameroon.
The defender provided a striker’s finish after staying up-field and profited from a precise Chidozie Awaziem cross to fire the visitors in front.
The Super Eagles made it two before the break as defensive partner William Troost-Ekong found Victor Osimhen who finished with aplomb from close range to build on his impressive scoring record at international level.
This forced the hosts into a change of approach after the interval but Nigeria held firm and they will go into the November round of qualifiers holding at least a two-point lead with two matches remaining.
Central African Republic (0) 0
Nigeria (2) 2 (Balogun 29′ Osimhen 45+1′)
CAR: Samolah; Ngam-Ngam, Ndobe, Ban (Ndambakizi 54′), Yangao, Guinari, Toropite (Grengou 79′), Urie (Namnganda 54′), Niamathe, Gaopandia (Kpeko 79′), M’Vondo Ze (Ngoma 46′).
NIGERIA: Okoye; Balogun (Omeruo 74′), Troost-Ekong, Collins, Awaziem, Ayodele-Aribo, Onyeka, Musa (Ejuke 67′), Simon, Iheanacho (Innocent 74′), Osimhen.
Nigeria bounce back, Tanzania go top
10 October 2021 | 23:48Victor Osimhen © Backpagepix
Revenge was on the menu for several nations across the African continent in CAF second-round 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying action on Sunday.
Nigeria, shocked 1-0 by the Central African Republic in Lagos earlier this week, bounced back with a 2-0 win over the same opponents in Douala.
Leon Balogun and the in-form Victor Osimhen were on target for the Super Eagles who hold a narrow two-point advantage in Group C.
Cape Verde stayed within touching distance of Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Liberia.
The Blue Sharks left it late once more: having netted a stoppage-time winner through Garry Rodrigues in the reverse fixture, Ryan Mendes scored with 90 minutes on the clock in Mindelo to seal a maximum haul of six points in the October internationals for the island nation.
Tanzania were also able to exact their own revenge in a 1-0 win over Benin.
A few days after falling to a home loss to the same opponents in Dar Es Salaam, a stunning Saimon Msuva goal fired them to a 1-0 victory in Cotonou, as the Taifa Stars duly climbed to the top of a highly competitive Group J.
Victory moved Tanzania level on seven points with Benin and two ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo who lost 1-0 to Madagascar in Antananarivo on Sunday, having beaten their hosts in Kinshasa on Thursday.
Mali will go into the final two rounds of qualifiers holding a two-point lead following a 1-0 win over Kenya in Group E, which effectively ended the Harambee Stars’ hopes of reaching Qatar 2022.
Ibrahima Kone scored the decisive goal in Nairobi, having netted a hat-trick in the reverse fixture for Les Aigles in Morocco.
Uganda occupy second spot in Group E behind Mali. The Cranes defeated Rwanda 1-0 thanks to a goal from Fahad Bayo who had also netted the winner in Kigali.
Elsewhere, Zambia’s World Cup hopes suffered another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in Lusaka.
Fashion Sakala netted a brilliant solo effort but Chipolopolo failed to hold onto their lead with Federico Bikoro on target to claim a point for the visitors.
Tunisia lead the way in Group B, three points clear of Equatorial Guinea and six ahead of Zambia in third following a 0-0 draw at already eliminated Mauritania.
RESULTS, 10 OCTOBER
Benin 0-1 Tanzania
Central African Republic 0-2 Nigeria
Kenya 0-1 Mali
Uganda 1-0 Rwanda
Cape Verde 1-0 Liberia
Madagascar 1-0 Democratic Republic of Congo
Zambia 1-1 Equatorial Guinea
Mauritania 0-0 Tunisia
