Nigeria Bounces Back with 2-0 win in Douala v Central Africa Republic

Douala, CAMEROON -- Despite the general gloom that crowded the calamity in Lagos following a shock 0-1 loss to unremarkable Central Africa Republic (CAR), Nigeria was able to recover to win the rematch 2-0 in Douala, Cameroon today. It was enough to put a world Cup campaign back on track but it is questionable whether it has assuaged the anger of Nigerian fans.

It was clear that Nigeria was determined to teach the Central Africans a lesson from the first whistle. Nigeria controlled affairs immediately and it was clear that the team was on a mission. The difference in seriousness was evident. In Lagos, Nigeria huffed and puff to create chances. In Yaounde, the chances came much quicker and the cuts more incisive.

Manager Gernot Rohr, a septuagenarian, had been feeling intense pressure from Nigerians after the disastrous image and home loss but he choose to make two changes. Bringing in the intense Chiedozie AWaziem to replace Ola Aina at right back and the ageing Ahmed Musa for Chiedozie Awaziem. Although many may have questioned the choice of the aging captain but the reality is that he had been involved in previous spirited bounce backs by this Nigerian team. Today called for such a bounce back. He may well not be as young as he had been in previous battles but his leadership may have been just enough.

But it was not Musa that led to a bounce back. Leon Balogun, clearly at fault for the Lagos debacle, needed a reprieve. Balogun delivered. It was he who struck Nigeria's opener after 28 minutes. It was his first-ever goal or Nigeria and it was needed. He needed it and Nigeria needed it. It restored the balance of power and hope. Not only did it reestablish the gulf between both teams but it brought the hope and vision that Nigeria could yet obliterate the upstarts from Bangui.

The Central Africans buoyed by the unexpected win in Lagos and the hopes of their compatriots felt unhinged at the first sign of trouble. In desperation, they resorted to some exceptional challenges that forced match referee Hakizama from Rwanda to issue three cautions before the interval. Then it forced the Central Africans to make a substitution before the rest period and they had completed three substitutions before the clock counted 52 minutes. It was clearly desperation time.

Nevertheless, Nigeria did not relent. Before the halftime whistle, Victor Osimhen smashed home his eighth international goal for Nigeria in 17 games and it placed him at a clip of 0.471goals per game, among Nigeria's historical leaders in goals per game.

Nigeria's dominance continued after the interval but there were no further goals. Osimhen could have completed a brace but he mysteriously fluffed an easy chance when Aribo, seeking his first international assist before this encounter, had sent him through. Then, the new-Okocha, Chidera Ejuke had his attempt blocked twice before he performed his jig through the defeated CAR defense. In the end, Nigeria had cemented the leadership of its group onwards to the final phase of the World cup qualifiers. But in truth, the questions about Gernot Rohr's management are likely to remain.

Line-Up

Maduka Okoye (1) -- Chidozie Awaziem (20), William Ekong (5), Leon Balogun (6) (74th Kenneth Omeruo (22)), Jamilu Collins (3) --- Frank Onyeka (5) (Caution 52) -- Moses Simon (15), Joseph Aribo (10), Ahmed Musa (7) (57th Chidera Ejuke (11)) ---Kelechi Iheanacho (14) (76th Innocent Bonke (8)) --- Victor Osimhen (9).