By Daily Sports on October 8, 2021

Nigeria suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to the Central African Republic in their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying fixture on Thursday. 

The three-time African champions struggled to break their visitors’ defence at Teslim Balogun Stadium 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 absences Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Rangers star Joe Aribo got the nod to start for Nigeria while Francis Uzoho was in goal ahead of Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi.

The Central African Republic were solid and more coordinated at the back, and they got the reward for their tenacity as they took 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. 

It was Awoniyi’s maiden outing for the Super Eagles and he came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute after Osimhen’s shot struck the post but his effort was off target. 

Later in the encounter, Ahmed Musa and Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu replaced Joe Aribo and Moses Simon respectively, but their impact was not enough to help the Super Eagles beat CAR goalkeeper Prince Samola.

Despite the dropped points in Lagos, Gernot Rohr’s men remain at the top of Group C with six points after three games while Central African Republic moved up to the third spot with four 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.

They are level on four points with CAR while Liberia dropped to the bottom with three points.

Nigeria will continue their journey to Qatar 2022 with a trip to Douala for their return fixture against the Central African Republic on Sunday.  (Goal)

•PHOTO: Super Eagles players 

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 8, 2021

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