Loss to Congo: Nigerians write off Oliseh’s Eagles

Sunday-Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh

Taiwo Adelu

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh
Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh

Disappointed 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.”

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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.

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