WCQ: Eagles beat C’Verde 2-1, top Group C

Super Eagles maintained top spot in Group C of their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers after defeating Cape Verde 2-1 on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports.

A bizarre own goal in the 77th minute by Kenny Santos handed Nigeria, who were without seven starters from their 2-0 home win over Liberia on Friday in Lagos due to COVID-19 protocols, all three points in the encounter.

Victor Osimhen had restored parity for the Eagles on the half hour mark after they trailed 1-0 through a stunning strike from Dylan Tavares 10 minute earlier.

The Napoli striker tapped in the equaliser from close range after the Cape Verdean defence failed to clear their lines.

He came close to adding another one from a corner in additional time of the first time.

Eagles coach Gernot Rohr handed Malmo FF midfielder Innocent Bonke and Bologna’s Kingsley Michael their debut appearances for the team.

CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke, who was making his first start for the Eagles, forced two big saves from the Cape Verde goalkeeper in the first half.

In the second half, both teams barely threatened, before that bizarre own goal by the home team, which gifted a makeshift Nigerian side victory.

Ahmed Musa, substitute Henry Onyekuru were guilty of missing scoring chances.

The Blue Sharks also came within a whisker away from snatching a late equaliser when Tavares’ diving header beat Maduka Okoye, in goal for the Eagles, but narrowly went wide.

The Eagles, three-time African champions, now have six points from two matches, while Liberia are second with three points.

Central African Republic are third on a point, same as bottom team Cape Verde.us.”  Punch