Nigeria Vs Central Africa: Sustain The Momentum, Replicate Same Focus – Pinnick Charges Eagles
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By Amaechi Agbo
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has charged the Super Eagles to replicate the same momentum and focus that saw them defeat Liberia and Cape Verde in their last two matches when they file out against the Central Africa Republic, CAR, in the double header of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers next month
The Super Eagles will take on the CAR in matchday 3 of the qualifiers at home on October 6 and play the return leg, Matchday 4, four days later
Speaking after the Eagle defeated Cape Verde 2-1 in Miledo on Tuesday which shot the them to six points, three more than second-placed Liberia, with Cape Verde and Central African Republic stuck at the bottom of the table with one point each, Pinnick urges the players to remain compact.
“Against Liberia in Lagos, they played on a wet pitch because it rained and still got the job done. Against Cape Verde, they were a goal down on an artificial turf they would rather not play on, yet they took to the task with the mentality of winners and left with the spoils. We have not won the group yet, but we are in a good place and I see us picking the ticket to the knockout round before the final day of the group phase.
“Now, we must sustain the momentum. It is important that the team is able to replicate the same strong focus, the same compact play, the same fighting spirit and the same marksmanship in the double face-off with Central African Republic early next month.”
Victor Osimhen brought Nigeria to parity after profiting from a defensive howler, 10 minutes after the hosts had taken the lead with a ferocious shot by Dylan dos Santos Tavares that screamed past the flailing hands of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
With 15 minutes to go, Kenny Santos Rocha spectacularly lobbed goalkeeper Vozinha for Nigeria’s winning goal when attempting a backpass.
On their way to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, the Super Eagles also won their first two matches of the campaign, edging Zambia 2-1 in Ndola before hitting Algeria 3-1 in Uyo.
