Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday evening lost 1-0 against Central African Republic, CAR, in a 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
K. Namnganda scored the only goal of the match as Gernot Rohr’s men were defeated on home soil.
Super Eagles struggled against CAR during the encounter as 5,000 fans watched the match.
DAILY POST brings to you how Super Eagles players performed against CAR.
Victor Osimhen, 3: The Napoli striker could not find his range against the CAR defenders, who mostly dealt with his threat skillfully. There were not many chances in the game for Osimhen, but the few he had, he ruined it.
Moses Simon, 3.5: Simon did not have space to make runs during the first half. The Nantes player was wasteful at the start of the second half when he could have laid the chance for the better-placed Osimhen.
Chidera Ejuke, 3.5: CAR players kept Ejuke quiet in the opening stages of the game. The CSKA Moscow star grew into the game twisting and turning but was unable to break the stubborn CAR defence.
Kelechi Iheanacho, 3.5: The Leicester City forward was involved in Nigeria’s buildup play in the early stages of the match. Iheanacho suffered an injury earlier on and was replaced at the interval. But before he was substituted, he got the team a fine attempt on goal, which went just wide.
Frank Onyeka, 2.5: The Brentford midfielder was outrun by the opponents a few times.
Joe Aribo, 3: The Rangers star looked overwhelmed in a crowded midfield at the early stages of the match and did not improve afterwards.
Ola Aina, 3: Many of Aina’s crosses were wayward during the match. He had a good interplay between Simon and Aribo, but he was unable to get into position often enough to send the needed cross into the visitors’ box for Osimhen.
Leon Balogun, 2.5: The Rangers defender had a sharp volley fly just above the bar in the second half, but he was involved in the mixup that led to CAR’s winning goal.
William Troost-Ekong, 3: The Watford star failed to clear the ball that led to the CAR’s goal. He took the ball forward during the match and looked for headers from corners but was not successful to goal for Rohr’s men.
Jamilu Collins, 3.5: Collin’s defensive awareness saved the Super Eagles from conceding in the first half as CAR got the ball into the net, but the striker had fouled the SC Paderborn 07 defender before his goal. Collins, however, surprisingly offered little for the Super Eagles’ attack.
Francis Uzoho, 3.5: Uzoho started ahead of Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, in goal. He was unable to keep a clean sheet against CAR after conceding a late goal.
Substitutes:
Ahmed Musa, 2.5: The former Leicester City star had no meaningful impact during the encounter.
Taiwo Awoniyi, 3: Awoniyi replaced the injured Iheanacho at the break. The Union Berlin almost broke the deadlock, but an opponent blocked his shot. The forward missed his header meters away from the goalkeeper shortly after.
Samuel Kalu, 3: Kalu replaced Simon with 20 minutes left in the second half. The Bordeaux man showed his dribbling skills, but his final ball left much to be desired. He also struck a free-kick wide off target.
Meanwhile, CAR will host the reverse fixture in three days’ time.