CAR 0 Nigeria 2 : Leon Balogun, Osimhen on target as Super Eagles avenge shock home loss
Published: October 10, 2021
Nigeria's quest to reach the crucial last round of qualifiers in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign was boosted Sunday afternoon with a heartwarming 2-0 win over Central African Republic at Stade Omnisport de Bepanda in Douala.
Leon Balogun, Victor Osimhen scored both goals in the first half to avenge their shock defeat to the Central Africans three days ago in Lagos.
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr made three changes from the team that started in the 1-0 reverse on Lagos on Thursday with Maduka Okoye, Chidozie Awaziem and Ahmed Musa coming in place of Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina and Chidera Ejuke.
Kelechi Iheanacho flashed his free-kick wide off target within two minutes into the game while Victor Osimhen saw the ball whisked away from his feet as he swiveled to shoot after a brilliant cut back from Jamilu Collins in the 10th minute.
Balogun who was partly at fault for the late goal scored by Central African Republic in Lagos redeemed himself when he fired home from close range after a lofted pass into the opponents' box just before the half hour mark.
Osimhen doubled Nigeria's lead with barely the last kick of the first half when he latched onto a pass from William Troost-Ekong and fired past goalkeeper Prince Samolah.
The duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa combined beautifully five minutes into the second half but the latter chose to go for a reverse pass to Victor Osimhen when an attempt at goal himself would have sufficed. The ball was duly cleared by the hosts.
Seven minutes later, Osimhen rounded Central African Republic's goalkeeper after a lofted pass by Joe Aribo but the ball was eventually cleared by the opponents.
The hosts had a glorious chance themselves to reduce the deficit but it was the Super Eagles that had better chances towards the end of the game with the twinkle toed Chidera Ejuke creating all sorts of troubles for the opposition defenders.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Leon Balogun, Victor Osimhen scored both goals in the first half to avenge their shock defeat to the Central Africans three days ago in Lagos.
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr made three changes from the team that started in the 1-0 reverse on Lagos on Thursday with Maduka Okoye, Chidozie Awaziem and Ahmed Musa coming in place of Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina and Chidera Ejuke.
Kelechi Iheanacho flashed his free-kick wide off target within two minutes into the game while Victor Osimhen saw the ball whisked away from his feet as he swiveled to shoot after a brilliant cut back from Jamilu Collins in the 10th minute.
Balogun who was partly at fault for the late goal scored by Central African Republic in Lagos redeemed himself when he fired home from close range after a lofted pass into the opponents' box just before the half hour mark.
Osimhen doubled Nigeria's lead with barely the last kick of the first half when he latched onto a pass from William Troost-Ekong and fired past goalkeeper Prince Samolah.
The duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa combined beautifully five minutes into the second half but the latter chose to go for a reverse pass to Victor Osimhen when an attempt at goal himself would have sufficed. The ball was duly cleared by the hosts.
Seven minutes later, Osimhen rounded Central African Republic's goalkeeper after a lofted pass by Joe Aribo but the ball was eventually cleared by the opponents.
The hosts had a glorious chance themselves to reduce the deficit but it was the Super Eagles that had better chances towards the end of the game with the twinkle toed Chidera Ejuke creating all sorts of troubles for the opposition defenders.
The Super Eagles now have nine points from four games in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign and will face Cape Verde and Liberia in November.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- Meet Victoria Ezebinyuo: SC Freiburg's 2019 Euro U17 winner eligible for Super Falcons
- 'My mum is Nigerian' - Arsenal RB confirms he's eligible to play for Super Eagles, three other national teams
- 'He's a better finisher' - Ex-Everton forward makes big claim over Cyriel Dessers and Kemar Roofe
- Patrick Dorgu: AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen interested in Lecce LB who dreams of moving to Chelsea
- 'Baffled me a little bit' - Ex-Man Utd striker doesn't understand why Aina keeps getting substituted
- West Ham United learn asking price for 19-goal striker eligible for Super Eagles
- Atalanta v Liverpool: Ex-Evertonian Lookman walking disciplinary tightrope even without a ball being kicked
- West Ham, Wolves, Brighton keeping tabs on 2024 Golden Boy nominee Samuel Omorodion
- The possible reason Bayer Leverkusen coach named 16yo Nigerian forward in squad to face West Ham
- Agent confirms PSG are among the few teams that can afford N161b-rated Chelsea target Osimhen
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football