SUPER Eagles redeemed themselves on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic in Douala, Cameroon in a Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.
The victory came just three days after the three-time African champions suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to the same Central African Republic before a highly disappointed Lagos crowd.
On Sunday, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr made three changes to Thursday’s line-up, bringing in goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Chinedu Awaziem and captain Ahmed Musa for his official 100th cap.
With Sunday’s appearance, Musa became only the third Nigerian men’s player to acquire up to 100 senior national team caps after Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama.
The Super Eagles, stung by the criticism that trailed their lethargic display and humiliating defeat on Thursday, were more purposeful on Sunday and they were rewarded with two first-half goals.
Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen netted the goals as the Super Eagles returned to winning ways.
Balogun opened the scoring in the 29th minute off Awaziem’s assist, while William Troost-Ekong set up Osimhen’s goal in first-half injury time.
The Super Eagles managed the game superbly in the second half, giving the Central Africans no route back into the game.
Indeed, the winning margin would have been wider if Osimhen had taken a golden opportunity 12 minutes into the second half when he rounded the Central African Republic goalkeeper but saw his shot cleared off the line.
Musa also had a chance to score Nigeria’s third when he was played through on goal by Kelechi Iheanacho, but he chose to pass to Osimhen and the opportunity was gone.With the win, the Super Eagles opened up a five-point gap over Central African Republic with two rounds of games left.
Nigeria now have nine points from four matches, with Central African Republic and Cape Verde on four.
Liberia have three.Cape Verde and Liberia will meet later on Sunday to complete this round of games before the fifth and sixth rounds in November.
