Liberia 0-2 Nigeria summary: score, goals, highlights | World Cup 2022 qualifier
Liberia-Nigeria CAF World Cup qualifier
We'll wrap up the live coverage and post-match analysis from tonight's Liberia-Nigeria game in Tangiers and we'll be back next Tuesday with more Group C coverage as the Super Eagles and Blue Sharks battle over the top spot in the group,
Many thanks for joining us today and roll on Tuesday.
For some more Super Eagles insight, the vlog by Watford player William Troost Ekong is excellent as he shows a 'behind the scenes' look at the Nigeria camp.
Winning despite no style..... At the end of the day, I assume all Super Eagles fans want to see the team in Qatar next November and will accept dogged displays with a win being key.
A Nigeria World Cup appearance in 2022 would also see the design team at Nike and the NFF go into overdrive and try and improve on their iconic effort ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup where the Super Eagles shirt broke sales records but also garnered column inches in media outlets everywhere with its stunning design.
Cameroon is the African nation with most FIFA World Cup appearances with the "Indomitable Lions" having qualified on seven occasions. Nigeria have six appearances and will be anxious to maintain a run that has seen the Super Eagles an ever-present nation in every World Cup from USA 1994 going forward with Germany 2006 the only exception.
As things stand, only Germany, Denmark, Brazil and hosts Qatar have secured places at the 2022 World Cup with UEFA group stages set to conclude early next week.
March 2022 is when the final games between the 10 nations who progress to the final round of the CAF WC qualifying process. The ten teams will be drawn in five home and away 'finals' with the winners heading to Qatar in 2022.
Super Eagles fans point the finger at Rohr
The German coach is under fire with many Naija fans pointing out his shortcomings as being central to tonight's lackluster performance. With a talent of wealth at his disposal, Nigeria should really have sewn up matters against Liberia tonight in Morocco.
Liberia 0-2 Nigeria (recap)
Two spot kicks from Osimhen and Musa in either half were enough to secure maximum points for the Super Eagles in an accomplished performance that lacked a cutting edge. Liberian keeper De Souza was at fault on both occasions impeding Nigerian strikers in a game where Liberia were never really out of the contest with Musa's spot kick being the last shot of the game.
Gernot Rohr will need to rally his men ahead of Tuesday's key game against a Cape Verde side who know that a win will see them progress to the third and final round of CAF qualification with five tickets to the World Cup at stake
As much as I anticipate Nigeria being too strong for Cape Verde, doubts would be higher for the next round when the quality of the opposition is that much higher....Morocco, Egypt etc will provide a way sterner test for the Super Eagles in their quest to secure their Qatar 2022 ticket.
If it's any source of encouragement for Super Eagles fans, Cape Verde's only defeat so far in the group did come at the hands of the Nigerian side on the AstroTurf pitch in Mindelo.
A handful of tweets from Nigerian fans who are underwhelmed with the Super Eagles performance tonight (and indeed in recent games). Such an array of talent with players in top leagues in Italy, England and France and there just seems to a be a certain spark missing when Nigeria face (theoretically) weaker opposition.
All eyes will be on this stadium next Tuesday at 5pm (CET) where Nigeria face Cape Verde in a one-off, winner takes all showdown. The 'Super Eagles' hold the advantage. A win or a draw will be good enough for Gernot Rohr's men to advance but an away win would see Cape Verde join 9 other nations in the final qualifying stage for the 2022 World Cup.
Despite the Super Eagles being happy with the win in Tangiers, the daggers are being sharpened for Rohr. Tonight's performance was accomplished, but it has be remembered that Liberia are ranked 150 in the FIFA rankings and Nigeria should be able to put these, theoretically weaker side to bed sooner. We saw what happened in the defeat to CAR...... the same thing could have happened tonight against Liberia had the Lone stars been sharper.
A draw or win would be good enough for the 'Super Eagles' to advance... a win for the 'Blue Sharks' and Nigeria's 2022 World Cup dreams would end ...and I imagine that would apply to Gernot Rohr's tenure on the Nigeria bench with the German coach and his tactics often criticized by Naija fans.
All to play for on Tuesday after Cape Verde's win in Mindelo.
The whistle sounds and Nigeria secure a 0-2 win.
De Souza carded too.
Nigeria now just playing 'keep ball' as the clock ticks down. The important thing for Nigeria is the 3 points as it's all over in Cape Verde as Nigeria get another spot kick. De Souza fouls Osimhen again.
Still 2-1 for Cape Verde against Central African Republic.
We'll have three minutes of added time.
Liberia on the ball now and push looking for an equaliser.
Nigeria switch: Musa on with Iheanacho leaves the action. Cap 103 for the veteran Super Eagle.
Five minutes of normal time remain in North Morocco, Liberia still yet to really test Nigeria stopper Maduka Okoye
Tuesday will be a tense affair with Cape Verde coming to West Africa with nothing to lose. The Super Eagles will need to up their game as tonight's performance (apart from the first 20 minutes) has been rather flat.
Liberia switch: Macauley off with Dave Harmon his replacement.
Iheanacho tries to find Osimhen but overhits the pass. With no fans present, one can hear the roars from Liberia's English manager Peter Butler bellowing insructions to his side.
A Cape Verde win at the Teslim Balogun stadium next Tuesday would see the end of Nigeria's 2022 Qatar dream !!
Group C (live table)
Cape Verde go ahead in Mindelo (2-1), a result that applies additional pressure on Nigeria with the group now set to be decided on the final match-day.
Chidozie Awaziem has an effort from range and his shot just dips over the Liberia bar. 15' left here in Morocco.
Terrible mistake from Nigeria at the back as the ball is headed into the patch of the Liberia striker who takes a terrible first touch and the move breaks down and Sanoh will be disappointed with his effort there. A warning for the Super Eagles.
Liberia go close with a powerful header just fizzing by the Nigeria crossbar.
Twenty minutes remain here in Tangiers and in the Cape Verde where it remains 1-1. The Blue Sharks need another goal to keep the group alive and here in Tangiers could do with a second goal to close off the contest.
Gernot Rohr screaming instructions at his men from the bench. A great first 20 minutes from his side and since the midway point in the first half, Nigeria have adopted cruise control mode.
Sanoh and Nije on for Liberia with Hellberg and Kamara making way
Iwobi off with Chidera Ejuke his replacement. First switch of the evening for the Super Eagles. Can the CSKA Moscow man make any difference.
Time for Rohr to bring on some fresh faces ? Wilson goes down in the Nigeria box and the ref. waves play on. Nigeria on a tightrope.
Group C live table
Bad news for Super Eagles fans a Cape Verde draw level at home to CR with Tavares finding the net for the home side. A draw there would still good enough for Nigeria to advance.
Mark Pabai has looked bright for Liberia tonight. One of the brighter 'Lone Stars' on display in Northern Morocco.
Free for Liberia as Nigeria manage to clear the danger. This second goal is vital for the Super Eagles.
Free kick and easy for De Souza to gather with non pace or whip in the effort from Moses Simon.
Very positive approach from Nigeria at the start of the half. This was the Nigeria we start at the start of the game as opposed to the Nigeria that ended the half.
Osimhen breaks and sees the ball ricochet off his own foot for a goal kick.
Liberia get the second half off and running/.
We may get to see Samuel Chukwueze in the second half with the Villlarreal striker back on international duty for the first time in a while.
The teams return to the pitch at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangiers and Nigeria will be anxious to get that second goal tonight to offer a degree of tranquility to Gernot Rohr's side.
Group C table at ht
The whistle sound in Tangiers and Nigeria go in with a 0-1 lead at the break. Nigeria do look the better side but have let the Lone Stars come back into the game as the half progressed. Once again, a second goal and 'cushion' badly needed by Nigeria.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen with the spot kick to see Nigeria ahead.
Nigeria will be keen to get in at the break. The Super Eagles still look unruffled but they've definitely let Liberia get back into the contest after total domination for the first 20 minutes or so.
As good as Liberia (improved) have been in the past ten minutes, Nigeria have taken a step back and the men in red and white are now the side running the show.
Collins clips Macauley and Liberia win another dangerous free. Dorley to take and Maduka Okoye fists away to avert the danger.
It's been better from Liberia in the past 5/10 minutes as they enjoy their most sustained spell on the ball. Still looking unlikely to trouble Maduka Okoye in the Nigeria goal.
Great run from Pabai but the Liberian winger trips just at the most inoportuine moment and the move breaks down.
Nigeria go close again and the ball is deflected wide for another corner... One senses a second Super Eagles goal pre the interval.
Osimhen through on goal and blazes the ball high and wide with just the Liberia keeper to beat. The Lone Stars really under the kosh now.
Just past the 30 minute mark and Nigeria are good value from their lead with a 15 minute Victor Osimhen spot kick enough for the men in green and white.
Osimhen too has been a colossus for Nigeria, the Napioli man with great technique in holding the ball up
Liberia really don't make live easy from themselves as they try and clear the danger by passing the ball out of defense with poor delivery and first touch from the men in red and white.
The ball goes through the wall and is deflected into the welcoming arms of Nigeria stopper Maduka Okoye.
Awaziem has impressed so far on the fight flank for the Super Eagles. Liberia win a dangerous free as Oscar Dorley is clipped on the edge of the area.
The third and final round of qualification is when the going gets tough with potential rivals such as Morocco, Mali, Egypt and Senegal already through to the final ten teams.
What Nigeria really need now is that second goal to calm any nerves as we've seen that during the qualification process (especially in the defeat against CAR), Super Eagles need to put these games beyond their rivals.
It gets better for Nigeria with the news coming through that CAR have taken the lead against Cape Verde. Should things stay like this after 90 minutes in both games, Rohr's men would automatically be through to the 3rd round of WC qualification.
Osimhen to take and the Napoli man scores to open the scoring .... Goooooooooool. Super Eagles take the lead, great spot kick from the Super Eagles striker
Penalty for Nigeria, De Souza clips Kelechi Iheanacho and the ref has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Awaziem takes a slap on the face and s on the turf and gets to his feet slowly and, he too, seems okay to continue.
Nigeria very much in charge here in the opening minutes of action but have yet to test the Liberia keeper. A quiet start for Okoye in the Nigeria goal as we approach the ten minute mark.
Liberia XI
Osiimhen takes a knock to the face but the Napoli man seems okay to carry on. Nigeria enjoying the bulk of the early possession here in North Morocco.
With no fans present in Tangiers, it's a hark back to watching football in covid times with all shouts from the players audible.
Nigeria win an early corner but comes to nothing after a moment of panic in the Liberia rear guard.
Off we go in Morocco, Super Eagles start the action
Nigeria in their classic green and white combo as the national anthems of both nations play out at the Stade Ibn Batouta.
The sides take to the pitch at an empty stadium in Tangiers... Liberia in their red and white stripes/blue shorts and red socks.
An empty Stade Ibn Batouta awaits the sides in Tangiers with less than 100 fans expected at the vast 45,000 stadium.
A Nigeria win tonight and Cape Verde failing to beat CAR would automatically see Gernot Rohr's men through to the third and final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying.
The Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier (Morocco), setting for tonight's Liberia-Nigeria clash
As we still await the confirmed Liberia XI, a look back at the goals from the September meeting between both nations with Nigeria running out 2-0 winners.
CAF WC qualifying 2022 process
The process for the 5 x CAF nations to secure a ticket to Qatar is set to finish it's second phase next week as the ten group winners will advance for five final (home/away) games (in March 2022) to determine the five African nations that will represent the continent in the 2022 World Cup next November.
Currently through to this final round to date, are: Morocco, Mali, Egypt and Senegal.
The other Group C clash between Cape Verde and Central African Republic also starts at 1700 CET and we'll bring you the HT and FT scores from that game. The men from Cape Verde who sit in second place currently pose a threat for Nigeria but results tonight could condition Tuesday's meeting between both nations.
Nigeria are aiming to secure their seventh spell at World Cup finals with the Super Eagles only missing out in Germany (2006) from all tournaments dating back to their debut in USA in 1994.
Nigeria's (9 points) closest rivals in Group C, Cape Verde (7 points) are in action at the same time facing Central African Republic with the island nation set to travel to Nigeria for a potential 'winner takes all' showdown at the Teslim Balogun Stadium next Tuesday, but this very much depend on the scorelines come Saturday evening after the penultimate round of matches.
The Nigerian national side had little trouble in seeing off the 'Lone Stars' when both nations met in September with the Super Eagles running out with a 2-0 win and with Nigeria ranked at 34 and Liberia 150 in the latest FIFA rankings, anything short of a win for Gernot Rohr's men will be seen as a disappointment in Nigera.
The Nigeria 'Super Eagles' have a great opportunity to edge closer to top spot in the second round of CAF World Cup qualification (Group C) and advance to the final stage of the lengthy qualification process as they face Liberia tonight.
Tangier setting
Tonight's game has been moved from Liberia to Morocco with FIFA decreeing that the national stadium in Monrovia was unfit to host a high profile WC qualifier. The game goes ahead at the Stade Ibn Batouta, home to Botola Ligue side Ittihad Tanger.
Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage of Liberia-Nigeria CAF World Cup qualifier with the 'Super Eagles' looking to progress to the final round of the CAF qualifying process.