World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria Advances To Next Round

Nigeria have earned a spot for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification play-off after holding Cape Verde Islands to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Osimhen’s opening goal was enough to help the Super Eagles advance in their quest for a place in Qatar as they finished as Group C leaders with 13 points after six games.

Gernot Rohr made a single change to the starting XI that faced Liberia on Saturday with Al Shabab striker Odion Ighalo replacing Kelechi Iheanacho.

Nigeria made a promising start to the game and immediately drew first blood through Osimhen’s strike in the first minute.

Score the equaliser

Shortly after grabbing the lead, William Troost-Ekong conceded a corner-kick while trying to keep possession and the resulting corner was well converted by Stopira who beat the Watford defender to the ball to score the equaliser in the sixth minute.

Despite conceding a goal, the Super Eagles did not relent in dominating the first 45 minutes as they won more fouls than the Blues, but they lacked the cutting edge to find the back of the net.

Troost-Ekong was found guilty of another defensive error in the 23rd minute when trying to pass to Awaziem in the 23rd minute, but fortunately for the hosts, the Blue Sharks could not make anything out of the situation.

Simon had a knock while trying to cover for the defence but he got back on his feet and continued after receiving brief medical attention.

With 13 points, Nigeria continued piling the pressure and in the 37th minute, they were close to regaining their lead after a fine run from Iwobi but Ighalo failed to hit Collins’ short pass with the required power.

NP/Lateefah Ibrahim