Coach - Less Super Eagles Devoured By Leopards In Friendly

Coach - Less Super Eagles Devoured By Leopards In Friendly

Nigeria&rsquo;s Super Eagles were beaten by DR Congo in an international friendly match played at the Vise Stadium on Thursday.<br /><br />The build-up to the game wasn&rsquo;t what the three-time African Cup of Nations winners needed as there was a highly publicized dressing room issue between coach of the side Sunday Oliseh and legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.<br /><br />DRC went in front through their star striker Dieumerci Mbokani in the 6th minute of action. It was a superbly taken strike by Mbokani, he turned smartly on the top of the box before he fired beyond a diving Carl Ikeme. <br /><br />The lively Yannick Bolasie who was menacing upfront for the East Africans then fired a shot from distance which produced a smart save from goalkeeper Ikeme of Nigeria.<br /><br />Oliseh and his boys couldn&rsquo;t react to the rampaging forays of the Congelese side.<br /><br />Ahmed Musa made a good run down the flank to locate Rabiu Ibrahim, but the final ball by Sylvester Igboun screamed across the face of the Congo goal.<br /><br />Congo doubled the lead on the half hour mark through Jordan Nkololo. The Nigerians were left in a big shock as they were two goals down after thirty minutes.<br /><br />Super Eagles did tried to pull a goal back when Ogenyi Onazi forced goalkeeper Parfait Madanda to make a great save from a free kick, parrying the ball away for a corner. It was a brilliant stop from the goalie.<br /><br />In a bid to mount a comeback Emmanuel Emenike and Moses Simon were introduced early in the second half to inject firepower to the Eagles attack.<br /><br />Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi was handed his debut when he replaced Musa three minutes before the hour mark.<br /><br />Crystal Palace star Bolasie continued to enjoy himself as his shot from the top of the box almost caught Ikeme napping.<br /><br />In the 63rd minute, the fearless winger saw another effort ruled out for offside. It was a goal that some pundits felt should have stood.<br /><br />Genk starlet Wilfred Ndidi made his debut for the Super Eagles as a substitute in the 83rd minute.<br /><br />The match deservedly ended two-nil in favour of the Bolasie inspired DRC who were hardly troubled by Nigeria.<br /><br />It was Oliseh&rsquo;s first loss in charge of the West African side.<br /><br />The Eagles will clash with their Cameroonian counterparts in another warm-up match in Brussels on Sunday.<br /><br /><u><b>How They Lined Up</b></u><br /><b><br />Super Eagles Starters</b>: Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi, Elderson Echiejile, John Obi Mikel, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa (c), Sylvester Igboun<br /><br /><b>Reserves</b>: Dele Alampasu, Efe Ambrose, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi, Obiora Nwankwo, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike<br /><br /><b>DRC Starters</b>: Parfait Mandanda, Christopher Oualembo, Fabrice Nsakala, Jordan Nkololo, Chancel Mbemba, Remy Mulumba, Jacques Maghoma, Cedric Mabwati, Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolasie<br /><br />
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