By Akinwale Kasali
Goals from the spot kick in both halves of the tension soaked encounter by Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 2-0 victory over the Lone Stars of Liberia in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Stade Ibn Battouta, Tangiers, Morocco.
The Coach-Gernot Rohr side had gone into the game knowing that a win is all they needed to keep their hopes alive and put their closest rival, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde at arms length.
They, however, did not repeat the mistake made against Central African Republic, mounting pressure on their opponent from the blast of the whistle.
Rohr started the match with Maduka Okoye in goal, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong and Jamilu Collins in defence.
Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi returned to the heart of the Super Eagles midfield, with Joe Aribo and Moses Simon at the flanks.
In-form Napoli Football Club of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen and Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho spearheading the attack.
It took just 16 minutes for the formation to pay off as Osimhen was brought down in the 18 yard box, with the resultant Penalty kick converted by Osimhen.
The Super Eagles did not rest on their oars as they kept pressing forward to add to the tally, but this did not yield until in the dying minutes of the match, as substitute, Ahmed Musa, converted another spot kick following a foul on a Nigerian player.
In the other Group match, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde defeated Central African Republic 2-1 in Praia, to mount pressure on the Super Eagles.
With the win for Cape Verde, the Super Eagles still top the Group with 12 points from Five matches, winning Four and losing One.
Cape Verde is second with 10 Points, needing an outright win against the Super Eagles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, to advance to the second phase of the qualification series.
Nigeria needs, at least, a draw to advance.
The Super Eagles gaffer has said that he remains optimistic of victory against the Southern African nation when both teams meet on Tuesday 16th November, 2021, to decide who scales through.
Nigeria has earlier defeated the Cape Verdeans 2-1 in Mindelo in the first leg, and would go all out to stop their opponent from advancing.
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