Nigeria tackles Congo

Nigeria tackles Congo at the Vise Stadium, Rue de Mons, in coach Sunday Oliseh’s third match in charge.

Oliseh is yet to see the team concede a goal under his watch (he was really defensive) but the return of the likes of Mikel Obi and Onazi is expected to bring about a shift in the transition of attacks.

The Nigeria vs Congo match served as an opportunity for players to show the coach what they can do as they aim to stake a regular place in the first eleven.

Ahmed Musa led the team as the captain, while Onazi and Mikel returned to the fold. Sylvester Igbonu and Ahmed Musa flanked Odion Ighalo. Elderson Ehiejile returned in defense while Leon Balogun started at the right back.

The match started at 6pm Nigerian time.

DR Congo XI V Nigeria: Parfat, Christopher, Cedric, Fabrice, Jordan, Chancel,  Remy, Jacques, Cedric, Mbokani, Yannick.

FT: Nigeria 0 – 2 Congo; Two first half goals from Mbokani and Nkololo condemns Oliseh to his first defeat as Eagles coach

90+ The referee gives three minutes of added time

88′ Alex Iwobi does well to earn a corner but the resulting corner is cleared and Ndidi’s volley is off target

86′ Another shot way way off the mark. Ndidi’s volley from a cleared free kick is off target

85′ It’s way way over from Emenike. The striker takes a freekick but it was always going to the skies

82′ SUB: Onazi taken off for Wilfred Ndidi

80′ DR Congo finished 3rd at the last AFCON with many of these players; Nigeria didn’t qualify for the tournament

76′ Nigerian players protesting to the referee after he failed to award what looked like a clear foul. Congo earn a corner which goes out for a throw in

75′ Some neat touches almost sets the Congolese on Nigeria’s defense but Nigeria escapes

74′ Congo controlling possession in this match

70′ WHAT A MISSED CHANCE!!!! Congo should have made it three as Cedric finds himself free one on one with Ikeme but William Ekong does well to cover ground and force the attacker to take his ball wide

68′ Congo try to attack through Cedric but Abdullahi does well to guide the ball for a goal kick

68′ GOOD HEADER from Leon Balogun. The defender rises well to head Mikel’s corner but his effort is just over

65′ SUB: Odion Ighalo Off, Nwankwo Obiora On

64′ WAT A WASTED Opportunity!!!! Mikel goes on the counter with Iwobi and Moses Simon, he decides to go alone and takes out a defender. His shot is weak and straight at the goalkeeper

62′ GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! ?????? Or so it seems. Cedric finds the net but he is called back for offside. Good eye from the linesman

60′ A stray ball almost finds its way to Mbokani but Nigeria is lucky he didn’t respond quickly

59′ William Ekong is penalised for a foul on Mbokani

58′ SHOT!!! Congo’s Remy tries a curling shot from the left but it’s just over

56′ SUB: Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi comes in for Ahmed Musa

56′ Emenike is cautioned for a reckless tackle

53′ Nigeria’s change of formation is evident and the attacking play is much more better than the first half

52′ Oliseh has switch to a 4-4-2 for the second half

49′ Emenike looks like starting trouble after a clash with a defender, referee gives a talking to both players

48′ Onazi is told off by the ref for a foul

46′ Nigeria kicks off the second half (Moses Simon came on for Sylvester Ogbonu, Emenike come on for Rabiu Ibrahim)

HT: Nigeria 0 – 2 Congo. Nkololo and Mbokani score early in the second half as Eagles trail a well drilled defensive team

45′ Mikel tries an effort from distance but it’s just deflected for a corner, William Ekong’s effort from the corner is just off the mark

43′ The goalie is back on his feet and ready to continue. Freekick given

42′ Parfat is down with concussion after Ighalo hits him with a stray foot.

41′ WHAT A SAVE!!!!! Mikel lays the freekick for Onazi whose effort is bravely palmed away

40′ Mikel is taken down in from of the box after skipping past two defenders

37′ Igbonu canot control an easy ball from Mikel, Mbokani and Yannick looking the most deadly for Congo

35′ Abdullahi is penalised for a foul on Yannick who turns the right back in and out. Resulting free-kick is headed away

31′ Nigeria attacking from the wings but the Congolese are handling the pacy Musa and Igb0nu, Ighalo is looking isolated up front

30′ GOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Jordan Nkololo does it. After Abdullahi is turned inside out on the right he cross and Nkololo simply taps in

25′ Mikel SHOOTS!!! Chelsea’s Mike Obi shoots from range but  it’s just a whisker away. He runs at the Congolese defense and when he cannot pick a pass he decides to shoot

24′ THE BALL IS IN THE NET!!! but the ref blows for offside against Rabiu Ibrahim who crossed the ball in for Ighalo to tap in

24′ Musa is now playing on the right

22′ Rabiu Ibrahim playing like the talented play maker Nigerians hope he would become

21′ WHAT A MISSED Oppotunity!!! Musa drills a ball from the right which Rabiu Ibrahim meets, he finds Igbonu but the wingers left footed shot is disappointing when he should have tested the keeper

18′ JUST WIDE OF THE TARGET!!!! A ricocheted ball falls to the feet of Dieu Merci but his left footed half volley is just wide. Nigeria escape

17′ Elderson shows great compose to head away a Congolese attack

16′ Musa and Igbonu have been switching wings effortlessly

15′ Musa tries a curler but Parfet is up to the task. Nigeria growing into this game now though too many fouls have been committed

10′ Onazi is pulled back as he tries to launch a counter

9′ In truth Congo have played better in Nigeria with a clear game plan to stifle the Eagles’ attacks

7′ SHOT!!! Nigeria’s Rabiu Ibrahim tests the opposite goalie

6′ GOOOOOAAALLLLL!!!! Yannick shocks Nigeria with a shot that slides past Carl Ikeme

4′ SHOT!!! Mikel Obi tries one from distance but Parfat is up to the task

2′ WHAT A WASTED OPPORTUNITY!!! Mikel finds Musa with a lofted pass but the CSKA Moscow man cannot keep the ball under control, Congo recover

1′ Carl Ikeme comes out bravely to catch a through ball which launched a Congo attack

1′ Congo go attacking from the first minute but meet a resistant Eagles defence

1′ Congo kicks off gets the game started