2022 World Cup: Nigeria neutralizes Cape Verde and wins its ticket for the dams

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen (center) scorer against Cape Verde.

AFP - PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

2 min

Faced with a Cape Verde team that did not take its chance, Nigeria did not force to ensure its qualification for the World Cup play-offs by contenting themselves with a draw (1-1).

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For a meeting that we imagined tense, even unbreathable, like a decisive match for a qualification for the World Cup play-offs, Nigeria-Cape Verde was not very exciting.

Yet all the ingredients were there to offer the Surulere audience a grandiose afternoon.

One last day, one last match, to qualify for the play-offs, between the leader of Group C (Nigeria) and his runner-up, which he is two points ahead of.

The game not to lose for the Super Eagles and to win for the Blue Sharks.

The beginning of the meeting even seemed to announce a nice tussle.

From the first minute of play, Victor Osimhen opened the scoring.

Taking advantage of a poor return from the Cape Verdean defense, following the first corner of the match, the Napoli striker inherited the ball and was quick to adjust Vozinha.

Nigerian-style management

The worst scenario for the Blue Sharks who are not slow to react five minutes later thanks to Ianique Tavares "Stopira".

The full-back took a corner from Ryan Mendes from the left to set the record straight (6th).

Two goals in six minutes and then… nothing.

For the latecomers, there will be nothing to put in their mouths, if not an opportunity for Osimhen on a recovery of the head from a corner (41st).

The Super eagles, used to this kind of decisive meeting, manage this draw which is enough for them to qualify and Cape Verde has never been able to show any weapons to upset Gernot Rohr's men.

Nigeria qualifies without showing itself imperial in this group C despite its four victories in 6 matches and above all a surprise defeat in front of

the Central African Republic (0-1)

in a pool where there was also Liberia.

Opponents with a lesser pedigree than the one that awaits him in March for the dams.

2022 World Cup: calendar and results of qualifying Africa

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  • World Cup 2022

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