PREVIEW: NIGERIA VS CONGO (2015 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER) – AYO-OLUWA OBAFEMI

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Date: Saturday, 6th September, 2014

Venue: U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar
Time: 4pm

The Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the Red Devils of Congo who replaced Rwanda in the first match of their 2015 African Nations Cup Qualifier. This would be the first competitive game for the Super Eagles since the just concluded World Cup. The team has already made their nest at the Canaan City of Calabar with the camp opened on Monday, 1st September. Players are trickling in from their various abodes into Calabar with full training set to start on Tuesday. The Congolese contingents who have been reported to be afraid to play in Nigeria due to the recent scare of Ebola had their fears allayed by Ademola Olajire – NFF Spokesperson. “The game will be played as planned on September 6 as we have not been informed by CAF of any protest by Congo. Nigeria is winning  the battle against Ebola and so any visiting team has no reason to stay away from the country. Therefore there are no changes in the date and venue for this match.” Meanwhile, the Red Devils are set to arrive Nigeria on Wednesday, 3rd September.

SQUADS:
NIGERIA
Goalkeepers:
Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France)
Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

Defenders:
Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)
Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England)
Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France)
Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel)
Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland)
Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey)

Midfielders:
John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England)
Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy)
Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain)
Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy)
Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain)
Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England)
Forwards:
Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands)
Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy)
Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers)
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany)
Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves)
Vincent Enyeama pulled out of the squad to settle family issues. He will be replaced by El Kanemi’s David Obiazor to make up the required three keepers. Meanwhile Austin Ejide will man the post in his absence.
Victor Moses and Osaze Odemwingie were not called up to the squad.

* The Congolese squad to play Nigeria not yet available officially
Head-to-Head STATISTICS:
Below are the head-to-head results of clashes between these two sides in the Nations Cup Qualifier:

8th Nov. 1970 Nigeria 0 0 Congo (1st leg played in Nigeria in preparation for the 1972 Nations Cup)
22nd Nov. 1970 Congo 2 1 Nigeria (2nd leg played in Congo in preparation for the 1972 Nations Cup)
26th Oct. 1975 Congo 0 1 Nigeria (1st leg played in preparation for 1976 Nations Cup at Congo)
9th Nov. 1975 Nigeria 2 1 Congo (2nd Played in preparation for the 1976 Nations Cup in Nigeria)

The Red Devils qualified for the 1970 Nations Cup by beating Nigeria and went on to lift the Cup hosted in Cameroon. The Super eagles have met the red devils 9 times in all competitions, winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 1 scoring 10 goals in the process and conceding 5.

LAST FIVE GAMES
NIGERIA L D W L L
CONGO D L W W L

FIFA RANKING AS AT AUGUST
NIGERIA 33rd
CONGO 92nd
Follow @ayooluwa2009
Ayo-Oluwa Obafemi is a football analyst and an independent/freelance writer

 

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