Red Devils Roast Super Eagles, AFCON Qualifiers

Reigning African champions Nigeria began its 2015 Cup of African Nations qualifying campaign on a low following a shock 3-2 loss to Congo at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The Super Eagles were the better side in the opening exchanges and duly took the lead in the 14th minute through defender Efe Ambrose, who headed in fellow defender Elderson Echiejile’s ball.
The lead was however shortlived as the Congolese levelled three minutes later through Prince Oniangue, before going on to silence the Calabar crowd just before half-time when Thiery Bifouma put the visitors ahead.
Bifouma was on hand to extend Congo’s lead 10 minutes into the second half, converting a penalty earned after Echiejile brought him down in the area.
Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi saw an effort flash just wide of the Congo goal moments later as the Super Eagles desperately sought to find a way back.
Substitute Nosa Igiebor summed up the day for the Eagles with seven minutes to go, when he scooped an effort over the Congo goal from just three yards out after being teed up by fellow substitute Emmanuel Emenike.
Another substitute Gbolahan Salami however pulled a goal back for Nigeria in stoppage time with a close range effort, but it proved a consolation as Congo held on to claim three crucial points and inflict a first competitive home loss in 33 years on Nigeria .
The result sees Congo occupy second spot in Group A after the opening round of matches, with South Africa on top courtesy of a better goal difference after the Bafana Bafana got a 3-0 win over Sudan on Friday.
For Nigeria, the result compounds the crisis in which the country’s football finds itself, with a FIFA suspension hanging over the Nigeria Football Federation unless the NFF meets FIFA’s ultimatum for Chris Giwa to step down as NFF President.
Meanwhile in some other qualifying matches played today, Cameroun won 2-0 at DR Congo to top Group D ahead of Cote D’Ivoire that came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Sierra Leone in Abidjan.
The Black Stars of Ghana were held to a shock 1-1 by the Cranes of Uganda in Group E while Algeria’s Desert Foxes edged Ethiopia 2-1 in a Group B match played in Addis Ababa.
Surprise package at AFCON 2013, Cape Verde eased to a 3-1 win at Niger, a result that sent the island nation top of Group F following the goalless draw between Zambia and Mozambique in the other group match.
AFCON 2013 finalists Burkina Faso began its qualifying campaign in Group C with a 2-0 win at home to Lesotho while Gabon got a lone goal win at home to Angola in the other group match in Libreville.

Reigning African champions Nigeria began its 2015 Cup of African Nations qualifying campaign on a low following a shock 3-2 loss to Congo at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The Super Eagles were the better side in the opening exchanges and duly took the lead in the 14th minute through defender Efe Ambrose, who headed in fellow defender Elderson Echiejile’s ball.
The lead was however shortlived as the Congolese levelled three minutes later through Prince Oniangue, before going on to silence the Calabar crowd just before half-time when Thiery Bifouma put the visitors ahead.
Bifouma was on hand to extend Congo’s lead 10 minutes into the second half, converting a penalty earned after Echiejile brought him down in the area.
Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi saw an effort flash just wide of the Congo goal moments later as the Super Eagles desperately sought to find a way back.
Substitute Nosa Igiebor summed up the day for the Eagles with seven minutes to go, when he scooped an effort over the Congo goal from just three yards out after being teed up by fellow substitute Emmanuel Emenike.
Another substitute Gbolahan Salami however pulled a goal back for Nigeria in stoppage time with a close range effort, but it proved a consolation as Congo held on to claim three crucial points and inflict a first competitive home loss in 33 years on Nigeria .
The result sees Congo occupy second spot in Group A after the opening round of matches, with South Africa on top courtesy of a better goal difference after the Bafana Bafana got a 3-0 win over Sudan on Friday.
For Nigeria, the result compounds the crisis in which the country’s football finds itself, with a FIFA suspension hanging over the Nigeria Football Federation unless the NFF meets FIFA’s ultimatum for Chris Giwa to step down as NFF President.
Meanwhile in some other qualifying matches played today, Cameroun won 2-0 at DR Congo to top Group D ahead of Cote D’Ivoire that came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Sierra Leone in Abidjan.
The Black Stars of Ghana were held to a shock 1-1 by the Cranes of Uganda in Group E while Algeria’s Desert Foxes edged Ethiopia 2-1 in a Group B match played in Addis Ababa.
Surprise package at AFCON 2013, Cape Verde eased to a 3-1 win at Niger, a result that sent the island nation top of Group F following the goalless draw between Zambia and Mozambique in the other group match.
AFCON 2013 finalists Burkina Faso began its qualifying campaign in Group C with a 2-0 win at home to Lesotho while Gabon got a lone goal win at home to Angola in the other group match in Libreville.
Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players. Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match. “Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half. “In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said. Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up. On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify. “To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said. Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team. “I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match. “Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said. Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa. Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince. Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick. Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/sports/eagles-home-loss-a-wake-up-call-keshi/