Nigeria’s Super Eagles plucked feathers into the Blue Shark of Cape Verde eyes that the Sharks could not see clearly after the rain was going forcing it to two vital errors that earned Nigeria full six points in a 2-1 win at the Stade Municipal Adérito Sena in Mindelo in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers.
Dylan Tavares had opened goal in the 20th minutes for the Blue Sharks before goalkeeper Santos mistakenly parried one into the legs of Victor Osimhen who slammed it into the net for the equalizer at 30th minute before half time.
The Sharks were more sleekly on the grass than in the water in the second half forcing goalkeeper Maduka of Nigeria to be on defensive severally and bagging a yellow but the Sharks Goaltender too was under pressure when he diverted substitute player Onyekuru shot into his net in the 76th minute as an own goal. Hard tackling Kenneth Omeruo bagged a Yellow card 90+3 minutes.
Nigeria is one of the three countries Senegal and Tunisia to have full six points as at the second round matches. Nigeria leads group C with six points, Liberia has 3 pts while Cape Verde and Central African Republic (CAR) have one point each.
It was a big disappointment for CAPE VERDE defender, Carlos Ponck, who said their aim is to win all their 2022 World Cup qualifying home games,
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, Ponck said although they are aware of the qualities the Nigerian team posses, their aim is to win all home games.
“We have the will, desire, determination and ambition to be in the worlds, so each game is decisive and we have to take the field to win,” Ponck told the press.
“We know the power of our opponents and we will make use of our weapons, being certain that the objective is to leave with the three points.” But they lost on Tuesday to Nigeria at home.
Next two matches of the Super Eagles are against CAR on 6th in Lagos and 10th October away. If Nigeria can win those two matches with good goals, qualification for Qatar 2022 will be a mere formality.
Two matches of Group B were also decided on Tuesday. Zambia lost at home to Tunisia 0-2 with goals from Wabibi Kazri via 8’ penalty and a 90+2 goal from Ben Shimane.
Equatorial Guinea piped Mauritania 1-0 via the boots of Iban Salvador 59’. Eq. Guinea shares three points each with Zambia while Mauritania has 0pts.
Malawi beat Mozambique 1-0 in Group D from Richard Mbulu 10th minute goal. Ivory Coast leads the group with 4 points; Cameroon and Mali have 3 points each while Mozambique has 1point.
– Eniola Olatunji.
