The Wild Beasts of Central African Republic (CAR) produced an resilient performance to claim a shock 1-0 victory against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying Group C match at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Gernot Rohr started with the in-form Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho in attack for Nigeria, while Georgino M’Vondo Ze was the lone striker up front for the visitors in a 5-4-1 formation.
Nigeria tried to break down CAR’s defence in the opening minutes of the game, but struggled. Osimhen had a shot blocked in the 21st minute as the hosts piled up pressure on the the opponents defence. Five minutes later, Osimhen blasted a shot wide after he was put through on goal by Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Super Eagles continued piling pressure on the visitors’ defence with little or nothing to show for their efforts. The visitors had a game plan of absorbing the Eagles attacks and hitting back on the counter and it worked absolutely well for them as the match finished 0-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Iheanacho, who picked up an injury late in the first half was replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi. The Super Eagles continued to dominating the game, while the Wild Beasts sat back in defence. Osimhen then missed another chance to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
The Napoli striker hit the crossbar after a superb pass from Chidera Ejuke, while Awoniyi directed the rebound wide. CAR had the ball in the back of the net a minute after the hour mark but the goal was cancelled for a foul on Jamilu Collins in the build up.
Francis Uzoho, who was virtually on holiday in the game produced a fine save to deny the Wild Beasts in the 66th minute. Samuel Kalu took the place of Simon in the 71st minute, while Ahmed Musa replaced Aribo as the Super Eagles pressed for a breakthrough.
However, substitute Karl Namngandaa scored the decisive goal for CAR in the last minute of the game.
Nigeria threw everything at the Central African Republic in the injury time, but the visitors defended well in numbers to claim all 3 points against the hosts.
Despite losing the match, Nigeria still tops Group C on 6 points. Cape Verde and CAR, on four points apiece, are in second and third positions respectively. Liberia are bottom of the group, on three points.
The Super Eagles will travel to face the Wild Beasts in the reverse fixture on the 10th of October at the Stade omnisport de Douala in Cameroon, a makeshift home ground for CAR.
CAF World Cup qualification results
Equatorial Guinea 2-0 Zambia
Tunisia 3-0 Mauritania
Liberia 1-2 Cape Verde
Nigeria 0-1 Central African Republic
Rwanda 0-1 Uganda
Mali 5-0 Kenya
DR Congo 2-0 Madagascar
Tanzania 0-1 Benin
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