On Saturday Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alive by defeating West African rivals, Liberia, 2-0 at the Stade de Tangier in Morocco.
Two goals from the penalty spot in both halves by Victor Osimhen and captain Ahmed Musa ensure that the Super Eagles go into the final day of the first phase of the African qualifiers remaining in control of Group C.
Osimhen scored Nigeria’s first penalty goal in the 14th minute after strike partner, Kelechi Ihenancho, was brought down in the box by the Liberian goalkeeper. The Napoli striker swiftly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Even with the goal, however, the Nigerians’ play was not fluid as they had many misplaced and misconnected passes, relying more on the strength of Osimhen to propel attacks.
The Lone Stars of Liberia, on the other hand, enjoyed possession, moved with the ball better and also initiated attacks, but they lacked the talisman to hurt their more illustrious opponents.
Although the Nigerians improved in the second half, the Liberians were still more agile and could have scored in the 72nd minute after a mistake by stand-in captain, William Troost-Ekong. The attacker was, however, unable to convert and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye subsequently smothered the ball.
The Liberians paid for their inability to utilise their possession and few chances created as Osimhen, who was a thorn in the flesh of the opposing defenders, won a second penalty for Nigeria after he was heckled down by the Liberian goalkeeper in the 93rd minute.
The win made sure Nigeria got three more points and now have 12 points from five games.
Group C would go down to the wire after Cape Verde came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against the Central Africa Republic also on Saturday. The Blue Sharks have 10 points, just two behind the Super Eagles.
Nigeria will host Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on Tuesday.
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