Super Eagles qualifying to the final playoffs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will have to wait till Tuesday in Lagos after they defeated Liberia 2-0 and closest rivals Cape Verde beat Central African Republic 2-1.
Tuesday will therefore be a straight shootout between hosts Nigeria and Cape Verde on the back of both teams’ victories today.
Nigeria stay top of Group C with 12 points from five matches, while the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde now have 11 points.
This means that the winner of this qualifying group will be determined in Lagos Tuesday.
A draw by Nigeria will seal qualification for the playoffs to be played on knockout basis in March 2022, while Cape Verde will need to win to go through.
The Eagles raced off to a great start when Victor Osimhen put away a penalty after just 15 minutes for his third goal in the qualifiers after the Liberia goalkeeper fouled goal-bound Kelechi Iheanacho inside the box.
Skipper Ahmed Musa came off the bench to put away a second penalty with the last kick of the ball after the goalkeeper wrestled down Osimhen inside the box.
Nigeria had the better chances and even had a goal by Jamilu Collins cancelled after he was flagged off for offside on 28 minutes.
Osimhen ought to have done better in the 33rd minute when he dashed clear on goal only to blast his effort wide off target.
In Cape Verde, the home team had to come back from a goal down to beat Central African Republic 2-1.
Super Eagles vs Liberia (3-5-2)
Maduka Okoye – Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, William Ekong (Captain) – Moses Simon, Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi (Chidera Ejuke 62), Jamilu Collins – Kelechi Iheanacho (Ahmed Musa 87), Victor Osimhen
