By Kehinde Okeowo
Less fancied Les Fauves of Central African Republic (CAR) defeated the star studded Super Eagles 1-0 in a World cup qualifying match played at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos yesterday.
The return Leg of the double-header encounter will be played on Sunday, in Douala, Cameroon, adopted home of Central African Republic team.
Super Eagle’s coach, Gernot Rohr, has been speaking about what led to the humiliating defeat in the hands of the least fancied team in the group.
According to the German tactician, the absence of some of his key players, denied his team the needed creativity and stability needed in the middle of the field.
He also said the team will need to improve in order to beat the sturbborn Les Fauves in Cameroon.
“Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, we lost. We have to recover , and we have to make changes in the team.
“We missed the creativity of Iwobi, we also missed Ndidi so much. It was not easy for Onyeka and a first timer, Awoniyi to come in the team.” Rohr said.
Nigeria’s loss has thrown the group open, as any of the team can now progress, though Nigeria still tops with 6 points, while Cape Verde and CAR are 2nd and 3rd respectively with 4 points each.
The encounter in Cameroon, is one in which the Super Eagles must at least draw if they are to progress from Group C to the next stage of the 2022 World cup qualifier.