Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has released his lineup for today’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers game against Central Africa Republic (CAR) in Cameroon.

The coach has decided to go for a change of tactics going for 3-5-2 as opposed to the 4-3-3 formation used in the reverse tie which Nigeria lose 0-1 in Lagos.

Maduka Okoye was also handed a return in goal with Francis Uzoho dropping out. Chidozie Awaziem was also drafted in to form a back three with the duo of Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong.

Moses Simon will play as right wing back with Jamilu Collins getting the left wing back role. The midfield will be anchored by Joe Aribo and Frank Onyeka.

Ahmed Musa was also handed a recall to play in attack with the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen.

Maduka Okoye

Chidozie Awaziem

William Troost Ekong

Leon Balogun

Jamilu Collins

Moses Simon

Frank Onyeka

Joe Aribo

Ahmed Musa

Kelechi Iheanacho

Victor Osimhen

The senior national team of Nigeria will later today take on Central Africa Republic (CAR) in the reverse tie of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers after losing the first game played on Thursday 0-1 in Lagos.

As usual the game which will be played in Cameroon will be on selected platform for fans of both teams to watch their team starting from 2pm Nigerian time with Nigeria national television platform Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) beaming the game live.

It will also be on Africa Independent Television ( AIT) with online platforms also set to beam the game to millions using three major platforms which are NPFL.TV, FIFATV and Sporty.com. Popular online match streaming platform Hesgoal.com will also air the game.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has made changes to the lineup of the senior national team of Nigeria ahead of today’s game against Central Africa Republic (CAR).

Nigeria lost the first time on Thursday losing 0-1. A result which came as a shock hence the reaction to some changes in the team that started the game in Lagos.

We gathered the coach has introduced as many as four new players into the team for today’s game in Cameroon. Also the team will move away from the 4-3-3 used in the first tie to a more robust one with the intention to attack.

Unlike our way of revealing the lineup of the team few hours to a game. We won’t be doing so this time to aid the intention of the team to shock their host with the formation which was perfected yesterday.

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick says the federation has taken the blame for the Super Eagles shock 0-1 loss to Central Africa Republic (CAR) in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Pinnick said although the board did all it’s best for the team to ensure that they get all three points, they still will take the blame and urged the boys to make amends by getting a good result away at CAR on Sunday.

“Everyone is stunned, but we do not have to be emotional or negative about things. The same team defeated Liberia here in Lagos and Cape Verde away. They still have that ability to deliver. As a Football Federation, we take responsibility for this defeat. We believe things will change positively in three days. We also believe that this loss is a massive wake-up call and could be the springboard to reset and motivate the team to keep giving their all to not only qualify for the World Cup but to perform well in Qatar.”

“This result has been a huge shock, especially after the NFF provided everything necessary to make the team comfortable and focused on the task at hand, even going the extra mile in a number of areas. The Federation wishes to appreciate the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government and our partners and sponsors for their support to enable us provide the necessary comfort and conducive environment for the team to succeed.

“This is a setback, which can be quickly reversed, and the Nigerian Spirit is what we will take to Cameroon. The NFF is backing the team to retain a strong hold on the group and qualify to the knockout phase.

 “At the halfway mark of this phase, our Super Eagles still top the group. I am in touch with even the players that are injured like Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi. They are all very sad with the result. The players who featured in today’s match are all very sober and sad. They know what is important now is their reaction to the situation when they take to the pitch in Douala on Sunday. We believe they will deliver against the same team.”

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says the absence of key players in his team led to the 0-1 defeat they suffered at home against Central Africa Republic (CAR) in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

CAR created one of the upset in the African qualifiers so far defeating Nigeria 1-0 with a late minute goal with Nigeria guilty of wasting opportunity presented to them in promising area as well as having more of the ball.

Rohr while explaining the defeat said it was largely down to not making their possession count and also the absence of key players like Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi even though the new players didn’t do badly.

“The players are still disappointed in the dressing room and still not understanding why we could lose this match,” Rohr told Goal.

The senior national team of Nigeria were yesterday beaten by Central Africa Republic (CAR) 0-1 in what was a lackluster performance by the Gernot Rohr tutored side.

Owngoalnigeria.com rates the worst among the flops in the game which was played at the Teslim Balogun stadium in
Lagos.

Francis Uzoho – Did keep the Super Eagles in the game with a fantastic save and could do nothing about the goal he conceded. Distributed the ball nicely to help build play from the back. A futile attempt it was as those in possession fail to make use of it…..6/10

Ola Aina – Went forward with intent. Looks assured defensively as well. Was one of the liveliest in what was a boring first half. Caught out of position for the goal scored by CAR…..4/10

Jamilu Collins – Saw lot of the balls and tried to turn defence into attack but final ball didn’t click for him in the opponent’s half. Should have joined the attack more often particularly as CAR sat deep…..4/10

Leon Balogun – Moved the ball out from the back with authority. Played severally long balls to spur the team into attack but most were  wayward. At fault for the goal conceded by the team…..3/10

William Ekong – His distribution as always was wayward but his energy and determination means he will always have a spot on this team. Played a part in the goal conceded by Nigeria alongside Balogun they failed to clear what should be a routine clearance…..4/10

Frank Onyeka – He was neat and tidy in mopping up loose balls and also decent in terms of pass completion. However didn’t take up promising position in attack even when CAR sat deep in their half…..4/10

Joe Aribo – Showed flashes of his real talent but didn’t quite live it up to the fullest.  Should have done better with his final ball in the box. Yet to match the height with which he started his international career for Nigeria where he scored two goals in two games…..4/10

Kelechi Iheanacho – Looked lost and didn’t look at home in the number ten role. Slowed down promising counter attacks and it wasn’t a surprise when he was hooked at half time although it looked like he took a knock. Team became better in transition after his substitution…..2/10

Moses Simon – Dovetailed nicely with Aina and they were the surest route to goal in the first half but he should have done better with the three corner kicks he delivered in the first half and also choosing to shot when a cross would have been the best approach as Osimhen was free in the box…..5/10

Chidera Ejuke – Went past his markers with ease but never looked threatening as his one touch too many style enabled the opposition to regroup and deny him space to wreck havoc…..3/10

Victor Osimhen – He was lively and sharp without the ball but disappointed with it at his feet. Missed a sitter when he headed wide in the box. Had an effort which came off the bar. By his standard this wasn’t a good performance…..4/10

Substitutes:

Taiwo Awoniyi – Added urgency to the attack of the team. Missed a clear chance to give Nigeria the lead which proved costly at the end. Held up play nicely though…..4/10

Samuel Kalu – No where near his best and he was guilty of making several heavy touches for the time he was on. Lost possession easily as well…..2/10

Ahmed Musa – Tried to motivate the team following his introduction but at that time the game was fully stretched. He should start the next game…..4/10

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play their third match in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers series against Cape Verde later today.

Nigeria go into the game with the sole aim of picking up all three points to consolidate their position as group leaders after winning their first two games of the qualifiers.

Fans of the team will be able to watch the Gernot Rohr led team via NFFTV which is domiciled on the official website of the Nigeria Football Federation (Thenff.com).

Also it will be live on the platform of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and also popular football website for streaming live games Hesgoal.com.

Below is how Nigeria will line up for the game which kicks off by 5pm Nigerian time.

Francis Uzoho
Ola Aina
William Troost Ekong
Leon Balogun
Jamilu Collins

Frank Onyeka
Joe Aribo
Kelechi Iheanacho

Moses Simon
Chidera Ejuke
Victor Osimhen

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will approach today’s game against Central Africa Republic (CAR) with a 4-3-3 formation per the lineup as exclusively gathered by OwnGoalNigeria.com editorial team.

Coach Gernot Rohr as revealed in his press conference axed first choice goalkepper Maduka Okoye with Francis Uzoho handed the chance to be in goal and possibly reclaim his position as first choice.

The back four is same as the one that prosecuted the 2-0 win over Liberia but there is every tendency that Jamilu Collins will be subbed late on for Calvin Bassey Ughelumba.

In midfield, the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi means the coach has to settle for a middle there of Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo and Kelechi Iheanacho who will play the number ten role.

However he will play very close to the main striker in Victor Osimhen just like he did against Liberia. Osimhen will be flanked by two wing forwards in Chidera Ejuke who will operate from the left and Moses Simon who will be on the right.

Ejuke just like it was against Cape Verde will be given the license to stay high up the pitch but Simon as usual will keep an eye on the left back of CAR who has been noted as an attacking threat from his deep role.

Lineup:

Francis Uzoho
Ola Aina
William Troost Ekong
Leon Balogun
Jamilu Collins

Frank Onyeka
Joe Aribo
Kelechi Iheanacho

Moses Simon
Chidera Ejuke
Victor Osimhen

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has all but confirmed that Sparta Rotterdam goalkepper Maduka Okoye won’t be in goal later today when Super Eagles take on Central Africa Republic (CAR) in a 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Okoye has been first choice of the team for almost two years but Rohr has decided to drop him from today’s game after arriving camp late due to the fact that he missed his flight. An act which didn’t go down well with the coach.

Rohr wasn’t happy and termed it as indiscipline saying the 22 year old need to show more professionalism when it comes to issue of representing Nigeria.

“Maduka arrived in the night, he missed his flight. I’m not happy about it because it’s not professional and I’m not sure he will start the game,” Rohr said.

“We have two other goalkeepers and it’s not going to be an easy match and when players arrive late it’s not helping us because we said we have to be serious.

“He already had one training with us, I spoke with him and he knows what he did  (coming late to camp) is not good, we tried to arrange a good flight for him but he missed it.

“They have to be really serious when they come to the national team. Like I said there’s no assurance he will start the match. They have to learn especially the young players like him, they have to be here on time.

“The time is very short to prepare for the match and we know this match will not be easy. So we will decide tonight or tomorrow morning.”