Super Eagles: beaten at home by Congo

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.