CAR 0 Nigeria 2 : Leon Balogun, Osimhen on target as Super Eagles avenge shock home loss

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.