By Safiu Kehinde
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have made it to the Play-Off stage of the 2022 World Cup Qualifier despite being held to a draw by Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, today.
Topping the group stage before the match with two points ahead of Cape Verde, Nigeria needed at least a draw to proceed into the next stage.
At the blow of the whistle, it looked easier than expected for the Super Eagles after Victor Oshimen found the back of the net within two minutes into the game. The build up of the goal started from a weak corner kick clearance by Cape Verde defenders. The ball landed few distance away from the visitor’s goal mouth – a clearance which the Super Eagles through to the waiting Oshimen who neatly slot it into the net.
It was just a matter of four minutes interval before the Cape Verdeans found the equalizer. Their goal came in a similar version with that of the Super Eagles. Following their first corner kick of the match, Cape Verde’s Stopira lobbed the ball back into Nigeria’s goal mouth. It landed within the reach of Stopira and the striker made no mistake to put the ball into the back of the net.
Little show was displayed all through the remainder of the first half. Both teams locked horns as they struggled to find a breakthrough. The Super Eagles, however, had more chances but were too wasteful – particularly in set pieces as they failed to capitalize on five corner kicks as well as a free kick.
The second half started with Cape Verde posing as the more dangerous team. They were desperate for goals as they made two subs at a go in the early minutes of the second half. The visitors mounted pressure on the Super Eagles in their quest for a winner, but their efforts proved abortive.
Meanwhile, home fans expressed their frustration after Odion Ighalo’s through long ball failed to meet Victor Oshimen in the 70th minutes. The Teslim Balogun Stadium echoed with the famous chant of the Super Eagles, “All we are saying, give us one goal.” It was not long before the fans called for the removal of the recalled Ighalo who was eventually replaced by Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho.
Towards the end of the match, Cape Verde were close to a winner but their chance blocked by the defiant Super Eagles defenders.
