Congo upsets Super Eagles in Calabar
A goal from Prince Oniangue and two from Thiery Bifouma gave Congo Brazzaville a 3-2 win over the Super Eagles at the U.J Esuene Stadium on Saturday.
The Eagles took the lead in the 18th minute through a free kick from Ahmed Musa. Efe Ambrose nodded into the bottom corner of the net after a knockdown from Elderson Echiejile.
Congo responded immediately with an equaliser from Oniangue from a quick counter attack. He showed great composure to slot the ball into the bottom counter.
Musa could have given the Eagles lead the after being played through by Godfrey Oboabona but his shot went wide.
Just before the halftime break, the visitors went into the lead. Bifouma played a neat one-two with Francy Litingu, before firing past Austin Ejide.
In the second half, the Red Devils went 3-1 up from the very impressive Bifouma.
Gbolahan Salami came from the bench to reduce the tally for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles went for an equaliser but the Congolese held on to the lead till the final whistle.
South Africa beat Sudan 2-0 Friday in the group’s other game.
Nigeria will meet South Africa in Cape Town Wednesday as they bid to defend their trophy in Morroco next year.
Nigeria: Ejide, Ambrose, Omeruo, Oboabona, Echiejile, Onazi, Mikel, Azeez, Musa, Oduamadi, Nwofor.
Congo: Chancel Massa, Francis Nganga, Bois Moumbio, Moutou Bouka, Prince Oniangue, Bissiki Nagakott, Folde Dore, Litingui Francy, Bifouma Thiery, Cesair Gandze, Babele Sagesse
Hopefully, the “super eagles” will be knocked out of the qualifiers so that the so called NFF will stop reaping from where they did not sow. And for Mr. Keshi, this should be a wake up call for him that he needs to be more mindful of the decisions he makes in future as a professional.