Football-loving Nigerians have slammed the senior national
team, the Super Eagles for losing 0-2 to DR Congo in an
international friendly match played in Belgium Thursday night.
The last time the Eagles played DR Congo on 3 March, 2010,
Nigeria won 5-2. But this time, the team failed to shine
against the Congolese in the wake of face-off between chief
coach Oliseh and his erstwhile captain, Vincent Enyeama,
which presumably forced the goalkeeper to announce his
retirement from the national side.
Two first half goals in the fifth minutes and 30th minute saw
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Carl Ikeme breached for the first
time in goal for Nigeria and Oliseh’s first defeat as Eagles’
handler.
Nigerians who immediately expressed their disgust and
disappointment on social media, said they were not only
angered by the result but by the dismal performance of the
team and that of Ahmed Musa, who captained the Eagles.
A rather surprised Osita Iheme tweeted in pidgin English
shortly after the match, saying: “Water don pass garri, Oga
don run awaayyy. E don haapen!!!”
For Mark Uma, “The team lack leadership and direction as far
as I’m concerned let’s prepare for worst results against
Cameroon.”
Similarly, Ezema Ernest said he could not believe that a
Nigerian ‘super’ Eagles team can be so humiliated by the
Congolese. “I’m sure what I watched tonight wasn’t
#SuperEagle because there’s no super in the Eagles again.
Maybe I should blame the jersey or the coach Sunday Oliseh
and Nigeria Football Federation.”
Girogio Enrico tweeted that the Eagles were spineless. “Int’l
friendly Congo defeated Oliseh’s Super Eagles 2-0, spineless
team in my own opinion!”
Oliseh started a strong XI with hot-firing Odion Ighalo up front
to form a three-man attack along with newly appointed
captain, Ahmed Musa.
But where fireworks was expected there was no spark and but
for the surging attacking play and attempts from Mikel Obi
and Ogenyi Onazi in the midfield, Nigeria were lacking in
substance at any rate.
Several substitutions were made by Oliseh but with each
change there was little impact; even Alex Iwobi got his
international debut replacing Musa in the second half.
The Eagles’ backline made two silly mistakes and were duly
punished for them; a clear indication Oliseh’s rebuilding is a
long way from a job well done.
On Sunday, the team will return for the second of the double
header friendlies. The next opponents will be four times
African champions, Cameroon.
[NAN]
