Nigeria vs Central African Republic summary: score, goals, highlights, WC 2022 qualifying
Nigeria vs Central African Republic: live
This is how the group C table looks after the Lagos shock.
Long faces on the Super Eagles players with pressure no doubt set to rise on Gernot Rohr ... Take nothing away from CAR, wonderful defending and a smash and grab late on to shock Nigeria. What a result !!!!!
That's it... a massive upset in African football as the 124th FIFA ranked side upset six time World Cup finalists.
All five addiotional minutes have beem played
Nigeria rattled now as they look for a goal that would save their blushes
What a upset here as CAR manage to score with their first real effort all night and it's the sub Karl Namnganda who is poised to write a page in the Central African Republic football books.
Nigeria go close and it's Awoniyi who fails to connect with an Osimhen pass
A few half chances for Osimhen is what they've reduced Nigeria too and far too often Rohr's side looked for long pointless balls which were bread and butter for the men in blue.
Take nothing away from the Central African Republic with a dogged defensive display.
Tension growing now as the clock ticks down. CAR just minutes away from what would be the most famous result in their history as Osimhen goes close.
Changes for CAR: Georgino M'Vondo Ze off-Henock Damona
Contrasting images in the stand with the green and white clad band still playing frantically with many fans looking far from pleased with what they've seen tonight at the Teslim Balogun stadium.
Musa on for Aribo as a CAR player needs attention for cramp.
Nigeria's final ball tonight really has been poor and the major let-down for Super Eagles.
Nigeria's Musa getting stripped and about to enter the action....
CAR just 15 minutes or so away from a historic result against the mighty Super Eagles. Not a disaster for Nigeria given the profile of the group but not a result that will endear Gernot Rohr to the fans.
Kalu clips a ball into the box with his first touch but Prince Samolah is alert and the keeper gathers.
Moses Simon is replaced by Samuel Kalu
Balogun has a go from range with the Glasgow Rangers looking for his first goal in a Nigeria shirt. The ball goes high and wide and is very much a snapshot of tonight's game for the Super Eagles.
CAR switch: Jospin Gaopandia on for Tresor Toropite
CAR still holding firm as the clock ticks down. Just over 20' for Nigeria to find the net.
Nigeria too almost open the scoring as Victor Osimhen nod inches wide with the keeper beaten.
My word, CAR almost score as the ball is nodded onto Karl Namnganda who almost clips the ball past the Nigerian stopper.
Melky Ndokomandji goes to ground and needs medical attention after he falls badly on his knee.
Free for CAR as they launch the ball high and well overhit as Nigeria win a goal kick.
An hour of the contest gone and one senses that Nigeria are getting that bit closer. Every credit to the Central African Republic for a solid display of doggedness and resistance.
Better from Nigeria now as they step up the tempo .... the trumpets respond and the crowd respond.... Awoniyi heads and Osimhen is inches away from getting some purchase as Gernot Rohr pushes his men on.
Karl Namnganda on for CAR, Cyrus Stephane Grengou makes way
Nigeria go close as the ball is off the post with Osimhen almost opening the scoring.
It's been a game of few chances with neither Prince Samolah or Francis Uzoho being called into action after 50 minutes of football. One for the midfield and defensive purists!!!
Nothing comes as Nigeria clear. Simon breaks into the box but drives his effort way over the bar.
CAR win their first corner of the evening with a deadball situation offering the best chance for the visitors.
Both these sides go head-to-head once again next week in the fourth Group C game. The game won't be staged in Bangui but in Cameroon after FIFA deemed the national stadium in the CAR capital to be unsuitable.
A draw would be a major disappointment for Nigeria but given the shape of the group it wouldn't be a disaster in the great scheme of things.
Second half is underway in Lagos and concern that the Leicester man may have sustained a serious injury with his late left footed shot.
Change for Nigeria as Rohr looks to Awoniyi as a switch for Iheanacho.
Nigeria need to do more here against a very well drilled CAR defence as they've yet to be creative to get the ball through to the front men with the men in blue alert to any danger so far this evening. Raoul Savoy's tactics working like a dream for the visiting side.
The whistle sounds in Lagos and Nigeria have been frustrated by solid Central African Republic defending.
We'll have just 1 minutes of added time here in Lagos.
CAR progress but a wasted cross from the men in blue. CAR coach Savoy will be delighted with his side if they could reach the break at 0-0.
Melky Ndokomandji, first man of the night to pick up a card
Five minutes of the half remain in Lagos as Nigeria press looking for a break through. The Super Eagles have resorted way too often to the lofted ball and the CAR rear-guard have been solid and disciplined in dealing with the danger.
Great play from Osimhen and Simon as Nigeria win a corner ....good skills from the Napoli man as Ịheanachọ floats the ball in and seems to be ok.
Kelechi Ịheanachọ shoots and immediately gestures to the bench as he seems to be in trouble after the missed effort. That doesn't look great for the Leicester City man.
Past the half hour mark and still no way for Nigeria to breach this resolute wall of blue. Far from the goal fest that many Super Eagles fans were hoping for pre-game.
Still wonderful noise being generated from the fans .... No room in the Nigeria squad for the likes of Almeria's Umar Sadiq or Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze.
Big call from the Nigeria fans for hand ball but the match official is not impressed.
Osimhen shoots and skies the ball, poor effort from the in-form Napoli man .... great speed and movement from the striker and a warning fir the CAR defenders.
Nigeria dominating possession now as CAR just happy to defend and clear their lines with the visitors now doing their best to weather the storm. Still a placid evening for CAR stopper Prince Samolah.
Peter Guinari has been a colossus so far for CAR with the defender playing for fourth tier German side FC Pipinsried.
The game-plan for the Swiss coach will be to keep Nigeria at bay for as long as possible and frustrate the West African side.
Nigeria resorting to long balls and thus far, the men in blue have been level to the challenge offered by the Nigerian side. Hard to see the (almost) 100 places that separate both teams here in the latest FIFA ranking. Nigeria (34), CAR (124).
Osimhen looks to burst into the six yard box but the CAR keeper is alert as the ball is well marshaled by Peter Guinari.
Approaching the 15 minute mark and Savoy will be happy with his side's endeavor in the opening quarter of an hour. Nothing of note to trouble Prince Samolah in the CAR goal.
Neither side really establishing a sustained spell of possession. Super Eagles struggling to come to terms with the very lively surface here at the Teslim Balogun stadium. The pitch does look very dry and the ball with a major bounce.
Good work from CAR as Tresór Toropité looks to latch onto a 1-2 but Nigeria are solid in defensive capacities.
This is Raoul Savoy's third spell on the CAR bench. The Swiss man has coached with sides in Morocco and also the national sides of Gambia and Ethiopia,
Super Eagles fans pre game were in confident mood and many anticipating a goal fest for Nigeria.In form Osimhen will be looking for the target tonight.
The pitch at the Teslim Balogun stadium in much better nick tonight than it was for the last home game when Nigeria faced Liberia (a 2-0 for Super Eagles).
More fans making a late entrance now with the far grandstand filling up nicely as Nigeria try and get control on the ball in the opening stages.
CAR get the action underway....
The bulk of the CAR team play their football locally with a handful of the squad playing for lower league French sides. Nigeria meanwhile have a stunning array of talent with players plying their trade at the highest level across Europe.
Swathes of empty seats but the 3,000 fans permitted have created a riot of colour and noise with plenty of trumpets sounding at the Lagos ground.
National anthem time ...first up that of the Central African Republic....followed by Nigeria's "Arise, O Compatriots"
Nigeria take to the pitch with Watford's William Troost-Ekong leading out the Super Eagles XI. Nigeria in green and white,green shorts with the visitors in all blue tonight.
A great chance for Nigeria to maintain their pressure at the top of the table as we know that only the top side progresses to the final stage ahead of Qatar 2022 qualification.
Group C standings ahead of Nigeria-CAR
CR XI:
Prince Samolah (GK) Sadock Ndobe, Peter Guinari, Thibault Ban, Steve Niamathe, Melky-Jerede Ndokomandji, Flory Yangao, Saint Cyr Ngam Ngam (C), Cyrus Grengou, Tresor Toropite, Georgino M'Vondo Ze
A limited number of fans are in the Teslim Balogun stadiun this afternoon to cheer on the Super Eagles. Despite being few in number, they are making plenty of noise.
The CAR XI is confirmed
Nigeria-CAR match official
The referee for tonight's game is Abdel Aziz Bouh from Mauritania.
Match-day weather in Lagos
It's an overcast evening in the Surulere district of Lagos with a current temperature of 30C/86F with rain unliklely during the contest.
Two Rangers men start for the Super Eagles today with the blue side of Glasgow cheering on the men in green for a change !
Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun are in the starting XI for Nigeria in their 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Central African Republic.
Savoy hoping to put up a good fight
Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday's clash, CAR manager Raoul Savoy stated:
“We are looking forward to the game against Nigeria and this fixture will be our biggest game in recent time,” the Spanish-Swiss coach told media.
“The Super Eagles players are big names who play in top European teams, but we will try as much as possible to put up a good fight and hope for the best.”
Musa gunning for maximum points
Speaking ahead of Thursday's clash, Musa afformed that the team is aiming for six points in the two games against CAR.
“We have a mission, which is to collect all the six points from the two matches and make things easier for ourselves in the last two matches against Liberia and Cape Verde.
“Then, we can focus on the knockout matches of March next year,” Musa said in a statement issued by the NFF on Wednesday.
We still await the confirmation of the CAR starting XI
Watford wishes
The Premier League sent a Twitter message to Super Eagles star and Hornets captain William Troost-Ekong ahead on Thursday's clash.
Liberia fall to late Rodrigues winner. Cape Verde move to second in the group after a late winner against the West African's and the Blue Sharks move to second on four points.
Today's clash in Lagos will be the first competitive game between both nations and with the 'Wild Beasts' ranked at 124 in the latest FIFA rankings (the 'Super Eagles' are ranked at 34), a home win for the Nigerian side is very much on the cards before both sides meet again next week in Cameroon, after FIFA deemed that no pitch in CAR was suitable for a World Cup qualifying contest.
Gernot Rohr's men are flying high and currently top the group with two wins from two games and are strongly fancied to overcome CAR who are almost 100 places below the West African's in the FIFA rankings.
The action at the Teslim Balogun stadium starts at 1700 (local time) / 1800 CEST and 1200 ET.
Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage of matchday 3 from the CAF qualifying stage as Nigeria face Central African Republic in Lagos.