By Eniola Olatunji
It was a black Sunday for Nigerian football as the Super Eagles fell from the skies of Rabat Morocco to the highly technical, purposeful and robust Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo 3-4 via penalty kicks to miss the greatest sporting event in the world, Men’s Football back to back.
Captain Cedrick Bakabu of Congo had played a foul and Frank Onyeka in the ensuing melee got a loose ball which he drove past Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau for the curtain raiser in the 3rd minute. He missed another opportunity to score in the 20th minute.
Terribly dangerous Cedrick in the 32nd minute set up Meschak Elia who took advantage of stand in Captain, Ndidi blunder to register the equalizer.
The 2nd half was nothing to write about the Eagles who looked like sheep scattered on a mountain without a Shepherd. Manager Eric Chelle had to pull out non performing top boys in the team to try and be in the game. Adams Akor was brought in for Osimhen in the 46th minute; In the 57th minute a double change saw Ejuke replace Lookman and Simon Moses for Chukwueze; 77th slow Alex Iwobi was replaced by Tolu Arokodare. Bruno Onyemaechi was pulled out for Zaidu while Arokodare was taken out for Chidozie Awaziem.
After the mandatory 120 minutes score line was still 1-1 and there was palpable restlessness on the bench of the Eagles. It was at exactly 120 minutes waiting for one minute added time from Moroccan Ref Jalal Jayed that Congo changed her goalkeeper bringing in Sebastien Desabre for Lionel as the Congolese oozed with confidence seeing the Nigerian threats have been removed like a cancer virus..
Then came the nail biting penalty shootouts. Nigeria won the toss and took the first kick which Calvin Bassey blew off; Samuel Moutoussamy of Congo also blew off his kick; Simon Moses shot straight to the centre of goal making it easier for Congo Goalie to clear and Noah Sadiki scored the first penalty for Congo.
Akor Adams, Bruno and Ejuke scored in that order but Nwabali saved Axel Tuanzebe kick qhile Fiston Mayele and Michel-Ange Belikwisha scored there’s to force Ref Jalal to add one more kicks which Semi Ajayi threw away and Captain Chancel Mbeba stepped forward to score putting the Super Eagles in the cooler and raising thousands of mourning Nigerian fans.
The stats showed that the Congolese were desperate for victory at all cost playing so rough hacking the Nigerian players with 27-17 foul calls; giving Nigeria 34-19 free kicks which were not utilized; stringing 25-14 passes to put pressure on the Nigerian defence that surrendered to 2-6 corner kicks. They even had 8-4 shots at goal with 4-2 on target dominating the possession 54-46%.
By this hard won victory over the Super Eagles that just rose from protests over allowances that disrupted training, Congo will join some other countries for another intercontinental playoff in March in Mexico hoping to qualify for a second appearance at the mundial.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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