Cape Verde vs Nigeria summary: score, goals, highlights, 2022 World Cup qualifier

Next up for Nigeria is a home game against the Central African Republic on October 9th with Cape Verde heading to Liberia.

Many thanks for tuning in today and we look forward to catching up with you all next month for the NGA-CAR match.

Tavares opened the scoring for the home side on the 19th minute with Napoli's Osimhen drawing Nigeria level ten minutes later after a defensive slip-up. The game was settled in the 76th minute when Kenny Santos drove a back pass into his own net with stopper Vozinha stranded.

Not the most impressive display we've seen from Nigeria but Gernot Rohr won't mind with the Super Eagles securing the all important three points which helps the West African side in their quest to advance to the final stage of the qualifying process in securing the all important ticket to the Qatar World Cup.

FT: Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria

The whistle sounds and it's a win for Nigeria in Mindelo. Two fortunate goals for the West African side sees Nigeria top group C on six points.

Already three minutes of added time played and time on the side for Rohr's men now with another win for the Super Eagles on the cards.

Dias strikes and a terrible effort from the man in blue ... wasted chance for Cape Verde.

We're in added on time now in Mindelo. Cape Verde with the initiative as Omereuo is carded and Cape Verde win a dangerous free.

Last minute corner for Cape Verde as the Blue Sharks sense nerves in the Nigeria camp. Furtado heads but straight at the Nigeria keeper.

Cape Verde opting for long balls now looking for the strikers but this latest delivery is overhot and Nigeria can take a minute to settle

Inches wide as Cape Verde almost make it 2-2. A high ball is so close as Dias heads wide. Heart in mouth moment there for the Nigeria bench.

Nigeria just need to keep a cool head and manage the final minutes of the game well to avoid any last minute nerves.

Cape Verde press in the final minutes of the game looking for a second. A series of corners for the men in blue as the fans do the bit to force their side on. A case of, too little too late from Bubista's men with limited spark from the home side for far too much of this game.

Changes for Nigeria: Osimhen off/Onauacu on. Ejuke off with Sanusi on

Changes for Cape Verde: Mendes off/Furtado on

Into the final ten we go and it looks like a big ask for the home side to dig deep and find an equaliser. The Cape Verde team started well and after taking the lead seem to lose momentum in the contest.

Nigeria have been given two gifts here tonight in Mindelo with two mistakes from the home side contributing to the two Super Eagles goals.

Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria

Goooooooooool. Vozinha makes an error and Nigeria take the lead .... Calamitous stuff from the home side as Rocha passes back and a bobble and akward bounce see the ball float into the net

Free for the Super Eagles... All Cape Verde men behind the ball. Poor delivery and easy for Vozinha to gather.

Nigeria poised to make a handful of changes as Musa and Simon leaves the action Moffi on with Henry Onyekuru.

Players availing of a break in the play to get some water onboard in the 30C/86F temperatures

Twenty minutes remain here in Mindelo and there is a creeping feeling that both manages would settle for a point. A drop in intensity here in this second half.

Some sustained pressure from the home side now as it's Nigeria on the backfoot.

The flag is up a Cape Verde break with Monteiro almost skipping through on goal.

Moses Simon once again weaves past his man and swings through another dangerous ball which Cape Verde have to deal with. The Nantes man has been a real thorn in the side for the home side.

Both these sides will be in group C action next month with Nigeria facing the Central African Republic at home on the 9th. On the same date Cape Verde head to Liberia.

The few fans permitted to attend today's game do their bit to liven things up in the stand with very much a stalemate here at the Sena stadium in Mindelo.

Rodrigues off-Dias on (Cape Verde)

Subs from both side starting to warm-up as both Bubista and Rohr feeling that the time has come to shake things up a little.

Jamiro Monteiro goes close for Cape Verde with just too many green and white shirts in the way for the MLS based player. Better last few minutes form the home side.

Nigeria very much the team in the ascendancy now as a Simon free is deflected by the wall for another Nigeria corner.

Simon clipped as he looked to beat his Cape Verde defender. Pires on hand to thwart the danger as Moses Simon once again looks to create danger with that huge burst of pace.

Cape Verde press on their right hand side but Nigeria are looking solid in defensive duties and there is no way through for the men in blue.

Simon does well getting to the byline with Victor Osimhen poised to pounce. Positive start from the West African side.

The Super Eagles are back on the pitch with Nigeria set to restart the action as the subs from both teams take their seats. Finally the 'Blue Sharks' re-appear.... all set now for the second half.

Cape Verde only really threatened the Nigeria goal on one occasion and that was the Tavares strike with the player rifling home left footed to wrong foot the Nigerian stopper.

A game that is being greatly conditioned by the artificial surface at the Aderito Sena stadium with the ball bouncing and players struggling to get a decent first touch. 

HT: Cape Verde 1-1 Nigeria

The whistle sounds and it's 1-1 here in Mindelo with Nigeria finishing the half the stronger side. Tavares opened the scoring for the home side on the 19th minute only for Napoli striker Osimhen to pounce and pull Nigeria level.

Final minute of the half here in Mindelo and it's Nigeria well on top now with Cape Verde offering very little following their goal.

Nigeria almost force the ball home following a corner and the ball ends up in the hands of Vozinha as the keeper claims.

A high foot from Mendes catches Awaziem on the face and the Boavista man needs medical attention

Lovely strike from debutante Ejuke who almost fires Nigeria ahead but only to be thwarted by a superb stop from Vozinha in the Cape Verde goal.

The top side from each of the ten CAF groups will progress to a final round where 5 play-off winners will advance to the World Cup

The goal on the 30 minute mark has eased any nerviness that Nigeria had .... the Super Eagles playing with more confidence now as we head towards the interval.

One senses that Gernot Rohr would sign up for a point here in Mindelo with the top side progressing to the final play-off ahead of securing a ticket for the Qatar World Cup.

Cape Verde 1-1 Nigeria

Major touch of fortune for the Nigeria goal and heartbreak for the home side who looked good value for their early lead.

Pires almost steers the ball past his own keeper who palms the ball into the path of the Nigerian striker who lashes the ball into the net.

Goooooooool Terrible mistake from Cape Verde as Victor Osimhen pounces on the error to tap home

Over 25 minutes gone here in Mindelo and Nigeria yet to trouble the Cape Verde goal .... the men in green and white still coming to terms with the pitch as Victor Osimhen unleashes a fine drive from distance which is tipped over.

Credit to the 200 or so fans who have been allowed to attend tonight's game with plenty of noise being generated by the supporters.

Mendes striker from distance and the ball fizzes just feet wide of the Nigeria post.

Cape Verde playing with added swagger now with the home side buoyed by the opening goal of the evening.

First shot of the evening and the first goal for the home side. A superb strike from the Cape Verde man outfoxing both Simon in the Super Eagles defence and wrong footing the Nigeria stopper.

Clumsy challenge as Kenneth Omeruo was alert as Cape Verde take a free kick quickly. Quick thinking from the Leganes man to snub out an attack by the men in blue.

Quarter of an hour in and still no chance of danger on either goal with a placid evening so far for both keepers.

Musa on 98 caps and not 100 as previously claimed with FIFA not recognizing two of the games. Joesph Yobo holds the record for the Super Eagles with 101 caps.

Nigeria, slowly but surely starting to impose some authority on the game now in possession domination.

Nigeria still trying to come to terms with the surface with the ball needing that extra touch to secure control.

First chance of the evening falls to Musa after fine work from Shehu Abdullahi on the right flank. The veteran drives the ball high and wide

The bulk of the Cape Verde team play their football in Portugal with defender Roberto Lopes currently playing in Ireland for Dublin side Shamrock Rovers

Confident start from the home side as they move the ball about nicely. The artificial surface causing the ball to look highly lively tonight with massive bounces.

Despite the official spectator ban, there are a handful of fans from both nations here in the Aderito Sena stadium

All set here in Mindelo.... Cape Verde get the action underway

Today's referee is Samir Guezzaz from Moroccco.

The teams take to the pitch ... Cape Verde in blue with white shorts. Nigeria in their classic green and white shirts, green shorts.

and the Blue Sharks XI

A reminder of the teams (Nigeria)

Am empty Estadio Municipal Adertio Sena awaits as the Nigeria subs take to the pitch. Kick-off just five minutes away and despite the rule on no fans, it would appear that a smattering of Super Eagles fans are here at the stadium. Possible friends/family of the first team.

The fact that the pitch at the Aderito Sena is artificial turf will help the home side with Nigeria accustomed to playing on grass pitches. Having said that, the state of the pitch for the game against Liberia last Friday was far from ideal for top class professionals.

The disappointing news from Mindelo is the lack of fans tonight at the Aderito Sena stadium with FIFA and the local health board deciding against the risk of having fans attend the game given the covid situation in the island nation.

Despite Nigeria starting as favorites ahead of today's game, Cape Verde will be no pushovers with the Blue Sharks having witnessed a significant progression in recent years as the team has qualified for three out of the last five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

CSKA Moscow's Chidera Ejuke wins his first cap for Nigeria today in Mndelo.

It's a hot and humid afternoon in Mindelo with a current temperature of 30C/86F with no rain forecast during the game

After the latest setback, Nigeria travel with just 19 first team players, of which three are goalkeepers.

Cape Verde coach Bubista has called up 26 players for this month’s qualifiers, all of his players are injury and suspension-free going into Tuesday’s match. Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr was forced to take a slimmed-down squad to Mindelo - just 21 players made the trip. Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo have all returned back to the UK in compliance with the UK government’s travel restrictions

Here's how Group C looks ahead of the game in Mindelo. Nigeria looking strong and coach Rohr would be undoubtedly happy to leave the island nation with a point tonight.

The Cape Verde XI has also been announced:

Ahmed Musa is set to earn his 100th international cap today with the 'Super Eagles'.

The Nigeria XI is out:

Cape Verde Coach Bubista: 'We Want Three Points Against Super Eagles'

Speaking ahead of tonight's clash, the Cape Verde coach was bullish ahead of the game: “Obviously we want to be as strong as possible to look for the three points. As we create opportunities with the Central African Republic, we are confident that we will also be able to create with Nigeria and any other team. We always enter the field with a spirit of victory.”

Cape Verde took a point from their opening qualifier against Central African Republic on 1 September. Júlio Tavares had given them an early lead but Tresór Toropité pulled one back as it ended 1-1 in Douala.

Nigeria got their 2022 World Cup campaign off to an encouraging start by beating Liberia 2-0 in their first qualifying match in Lagos last week. Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed both goals on the day, with the result putting the team top of Group C.

Cape Verde and Nigeria have met just once before, they played out a goalless draw in a friendly back in January 2013 but this is the first time they have met in official competition.

The action from the Estadio Municipal Aderito Sena gets underway at 18:00 CEST/12:00 ET (15:00 local time)

Hello and welcome to our CAF World Cup qualifier as Cape Verde face Nigeria in Mindelo.