2022 World Cup: Nigeria falls from the top, Equatorial Guinea takes the ascendancy

Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, during the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

AP - Michael Sohn

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

4 min

After dominating the debates without scoring a goal, Nigeria was surprised in Lagos, Thursday, September 7, by the Central African Republic in the last moments of this match of the 3rd day of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup (group C) .

For its part, Equatorial Guinea took advantage of its numerical superiority to beat Zambia (2-0, Group B).

Uganda won in Kigali against Rwanda in Group E (1-0).

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Big snub for Nigeria.

To dominate is not to win, the old saying goes.

Gernot Rohr and his men experienced it bitterly on Thursday in Lagos.

The Central African Republic, the red lantern of Group C in these World Cup qualifiers in Qatar, achieved the perfect hold-up with this victory snatched in the last moments (1-0).

Central African Namnganda freezes Super Eagles

Despite the presence of Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho from the kick-off as well as almost constant pressure, the Super Eagles failed to shake the Central African nets.

The first named, however, struggled.

The striker, Marc-Vivien Foé 2020 prize, almost opened the scoring in the 53rd, but his lob ended its race on the post of Prince Samolah.

The Nigerian still missed the frame later with a header (67th) and a pivot shot (85th).

The wall erected by the Central African Republic has not given way.

And while the locals were pushing to make a difference in the money-time, the Central African Fauves triggered the big cold shower.

Launched against, Karl Namnganda did not tremble, took advantage of the disagreement between Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong before winning his duel against Francis Uzoho (90th + 1).

Ineffective on one of his rare opportunities earlier, the attacker was lethal this time around.

This surprise defeat of the favorite reshuffles the cards of Group C. Nigeria remains in the lead with 6 points, but Cape Verde and the Central African Republic (4 points each) are on his heels.

Liberia (3 points) has not said its last word.

Equatorial Guinea on Tunisia's heels

Can the superiority of Tunisia, leader of Group B with two victories in the first two days, be contested? While awaiting the result of the Carthage Eagles against Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea obtained three precious points against Zambia. Between these two nations, this third day looked like a first turning point to determine the Tunisians' best challenger.

At Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, the scenario quickly turned against visitors. Author of a dangerous gesture on Basilio Ndong, the Zambian Prince Mumba received a direct red card in the 25th minute. And as if that were not enough, the Chipolopolo cashed a little signed Saul Coco. On a free kick from José Machin, the Zambian goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe missed his exit and Saul Coco only had to push him to the back of the net (35th). At 11 against 10, the Equatorial Guinea have easily mastered the rest of the game. Finally, Emilio Nsue doubled the end of the game (87th). He followed well after the first parade of Chibwe.

With 6 points on the clock, Equatorial Guinea is second in group B, the same total as Tunisia, which faces the Mauritanian red lantern (0 point) in the evening.

Zambia drops to third position with 3 points.

Uganda is building up the pressure

In a group E well undecided, where only Mali won in the first two days, Uganda pulled out of the game against Rwanda.

In Kigali, the visitors won their first match, after settling for two draws.

Fahad Bayo, resident of MS Ashdod in Israel, made the difference at the end of the first period.

It was he who scored the only goal of the game in the 41st.

The Rwandans, who never kept their clean sheet in the first two days, failed to reverse the trend after the break.

The Ugandans chopped up the debates (three yellow cards) but did not let go of their short advantage.

The Cranes return home with three points and the provisional first place in Group E. They have 5 points on the clock, one more than Mali, which must receive Kenya (2 points) in the evening.

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  • World Cup 2022

  • Sports

  • Soccer

  • Equatorial Guinea

  • Zambia

  • Nigeria

  • Central African Republic

  • Rwanda

  • Uganda