Coach - Less Super Eagles Devoured By Leopards In Friendly
Published: October 08, 2015
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were beaten by DR Congo in an international friendly match played at the Vise Stadium on Thursday.
The build-up to the game wasn’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.
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.
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.
Oliseh and his boys couldn’t react to the rampaging forays of the Congelese side.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi was handed his debut when he replaced Musa three minutes before the hour mark.
Crystal Palace star Bolasie continued to enjoy himself as his shot from the top of the box almost caught Ikeme napping.
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.
Genk starlet Wilfred Ndidi made his debut for the Super Eagles as a substitute in the 83rd minute.
The match deservedly ended two-nil in favour of the Bolasie inspired DRC who were hardly troubled by Nigeria.
It was Oliseh’s first loss in charge of the West African side.
The Eagles will clash with their Cameroonian counterparts in another warm-up match in Brussels on Sunday.
How They Lined Up
Super Eagles Starters: Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi, Elderson Echiejile, John Obi Mikel, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa (c), Sylvester Igboun
Reserves: Dele Alampasu, Efe Ambrose, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi, Obiora Nwankwo, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike
DRC Starters: Parfait Mandanda, Christopher Oualembo, Fabrice Nsakala, Jordan Nkololo, Chancel Mbemba, Remy Mulumba, Jacques Maghoma, Cedric Mabwati, Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolasie
The build-up to the game wasn’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.
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.
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.
Oliseh and his boys couldn’t react to the rampaging forays of the Congelese side.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi was handed his debut when he replaced Musa three minutes before the hour mark.
Crystal Palace star Bolasie continued to enjoy himself as his shot from the top of the box almost caught Ikeme napping.
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.
Genk starlet Wilfred Ndidi made his debut for the Super Eagles as a substitute in the 83rd minute.
The match deservedly ended two-nil in favour of the Bolasie inspired DRC who were hardly troubled by Nigeria.
It was Oliseh’s first loss in charge of the West African side.
The Eagles will clash with their Cameroonian counterparts in another warm-up match in Brussels on Sunday.
How They Lined Up
Super Eagles Starters: Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi, Elderson Echiejile, John Obi Mikel, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa (c), Sylvester Igboun
Reserves: Dele Alampasu, Efe Ambrose, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi, Obiora Nwankwo, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike
DRC Starters: Parfait Mandanda, Christopher Oualembo, Fabrice Nsakala, Jordan Nkololo, Chancel Mbemba, Remy Mulumba, Jacques Maghoma, Cedric Mabwati, Dieumerci Mbokani, Yannick Bolasie
Latest News
- Team news: Chelsea boss Pochettino confirms Lesley Ugochukwu will not face Tottenham
- Ola Aina names Man Utd legend as toughest opponent he's faced, Chelsea icon as best player he's played with
- Transfer journalist insists highly-coveted Nigerian CB will join Tottenham and not Newcastle
- From the dusty streets to the bright lights: Inspiring stories of African football players
- 'We had reports of a done deal' - Fabrizio Romano reveals the truth about Tosin to Newcastle rumours
- Super Eagles striker Dessers battles James Tavernier, 3 others for Rangers Player of the Month
- Arsenal midfielder eligible for Super Falcons, USWNT named in England 20-player squad for U17 EURO
- Confirmed team news: Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu doubtful to face Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea boss Pochettino highlights one area where he wants to see improvement from Madueke
- Newly-promoted Turkish club ready to challenge Trabzonspor for signing of Southampton loanee Onuachu
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football