SUPER EAGLES LOSS TO CONGO 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.

Culled from Punch