Glasgow Rangers of Scotland defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun is still cherishing the feeling he got from scoring his ‘first goal in seven years, when he opened scoring for the Super Eagles in their recent victory over Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf and SV Mainz of Germany as well as ex-Brighton Hove Albion and Wigan Athletic of England stopper admitted he relished being the one who got the Eagles’ opening goal in their 2-0 victory.
It was also Balogun’s first goal ever for the Eagles and it helped him atone for the costly error he committed during the first leg that allowed the minnows snatch a shock 1-0 away victory three days earlier at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
It was a different kettle of fish in the next game, as Balogun’s goal was followed by a stunner from Victor Osimhen, and the Eagles stayed top of their group in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022 World Cup with two matches left to play.
The result helped wipe away agony over how Les Fauves stunned the Eagles with a stoppage time goal in the first leg on Thursday to pick up the three points on offer and gained lots of confidence for the reverse fixture at Stade Japoma de Douala.
It turned out to be a dramatic turn of events, as the Eagles had the first opportunity to take the lead in the very first minute, but Kelechi Iheanacho blasted over the bar a free kick he had from just 20 yards out.
Les Fauves adopted a hyper-aggressive stance, which earned them a couple of yellow cards before the half hour.
In the 28th minute, as Nigeria launched another onslaught, as Balogun snuck into the box and finished with aplomb when the ball was floated in from the right by Chidozie Awaziem, but Iheanacho again shot over the bar when well-placed in the 38th minute.
Just before the blast of Rwandan referee, Louis Hakizimana’s whistle for half time, Victor Osimhen swept home beyond CAR’s goalkeeper, Prince Samolah for Nigeria’s second goal, when he pounced on a cross by William Troost-Ekong.
In the second half, Ahmed Musa’s cut-in for Osimhen was well-read by CAR’s captain, Saint-cyr Ngam-Ngam. In the 57th minute and the Napoli striker should have made it 3-0 after lifting the ball beyond goalkeeper Samolah, but Sadock Ndobe cleared on the line.
Chidera Ejuke, who went on for Musa in the 66th minute, continued from where he left off in the Lagos match, turning, twisting, dribbling and getting past defenders at will, but luck was on Les Fauves’ side the two times he broke through and came face-to-face with Samolah.
With four minutes left, Osimhen shot too high from another brilliant move and pass by Ejuke, but the Eagles held on for all three points, which took them to nine, two ahead of second –placed Cape Verde, who scored in stoppage time to defeat Liberia’s Lone Star 1-0 in Mindelo.
Nigeria head the group heading into the concluding round of games, match day five and six games in November, when the Eagles will travel to Monrovia to play Liberia, while Central African Republic fly to Mindelo to tackle The Blue Sharks.
On the final day, Nigeria host Cape Verde in Lagos while Liberia fly to Douala to play Central African Republic, against who Balogun is still relishing his opening salvo.
It was also an effort that made up for his mistake, alongside Troost-Ekong that let in Central African Republic striker, Karl Namnganda score a historic winner last week in Lagos.
Balogun retorted: “My first goal in seven years! I have been looking forward so much to it and I am happy it finally came, and on a day like this.”
