Nigeria’s U-23 National Team under the guidance of Coach Samson Siasia recorded a slim 2-1 vic tory over visiting Congo but will have to work harder if their dream of reaching Senegal 2015 for the Africa U-23 Championship is to be achieved.
Shooting Stars of Ibadan striker Junior Ajayi scored both goals early in the second half – the first a tap-in after Goalkeeper Christof fer Mafoumbi could not get a good grip of the ball off a pull-out in the 48th minute, and the second a marvelous team effort that he finished with a brilliant header from an inviting Daniel Etor cross six minutes later.
However, and inexplica bly, Samson Siasia’s wards took their feet off the pedal, and allowed the Congolese into the game. The Devils created chances and from one of such, Nkoukou Mi ose slammed in off a re bound from goalkeeper Em manuel Daniel in the 66th minute.
A penalty appealed by Ni geria in the 59th minute was overlooked by the Kenyan referee, but television re plays later showed it should have been given as Etebo Oghenekaro’s shot was han dled by a Congo defender inside the box.
Nigeria made three chang es thereafter with Musa Ya haya, Taiwo Awoniyi and Umar Aminu coming in as they went in search of more goals.
Awoniyi failed to connect a low drive across the Con go goal in the 75th minute.
Oghenekaro was then de nied in stoppage time by the Congo goalkeeper.
Congo were the happier of the two teams going into the dressing room after scores stood at 0-0 at a packed Ad okie Amiesimeika Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Samson Siasia’s Dream Team VI attacked all of the first 45 minutes and visit ing Congo were happy to sit back and defend with their lives. Nigeria enjoyed 67 percent of the possession and forced 11 corners, but they still could not manage to translate the final ball into goal.
Saviour shot at goal af ter just six minutes, but it screamed across the Congo goal.
In the 12th minute, Junior Ajayi could have put the home team in front but he scooped away from target from inside the box after he was superbly set up by Ogh enekaro.
Skipper Azubuike Oke chukwu’s shot from the top of the box after 22 minutes was also off target.
In the 31st minute, Segun Oduduwa shot from a free kick was put out for a corner by the Congo goalkeeper Mafoumbi.
Three minutes later, Sav iour goal-bound shot was headed off the goal line as Congo continued to hang on.
And in stoppage time, Saviour again forced a double save from the Congo shot stopper.
