World champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria opened their 2015 African Under-17 Championship’s account with a 1-0 defeat of Congo Democratic Republic in Kinshasa on Saturday.
It was a match the Golden Eaglets would have won with a wide margin but Victor Osimhen settled things in favour of the Nigerians in front of disappointed home fans packed at the Tata Samuel Stadium.
In the midst of the enthusiastic local fans was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Congo Democratic Republic, Dr. Grant Ehiobuche, officials of Organisation of Nigerians in Diaspora amongst others.
Les Leopards took the kick off exactly 3:30pm local time (3:30pm Nigerian time) after centre referee 31-year-old Antoine Max Depadoux Effa Essouma signalled the start.
Nigeria soon took over with Captain Kelechi Nwakali drilling the ball through the middle to find Usman Abass on the left wing. Abass evaded his marker and wasted no time with an inch-perfect cross for gangling Victor Osimhen to nod straight into the net for the first goal of the match in the 13th minute.
The goal woke up the home team and Nigeria was nearly punished in the 25th minute when Chris Mutomb capitalised on a miss kick by Lukman Halilu but his well-struck shot was parry away by goalkeeper Akpan Udoh.
It was Congo who nearly scored again in the 40th minute when Rodrigue Masini Dimbua capitalized on a defensive mix-up in the heart of Nigerian defence but his lively shot bounced off the post into
corner.
Two minutes later, Nigeria won a free kick on the periphery of Congolese box but Nwakali’s well struck free kick also ricocheted off the goal post.
Nigeria took the restart on resumption of second half but it was the Congolese that showed more hunger as they were buoyed by the home fans.
Thereafter, it was a ding dong affair with near misses on both sides as the game dragged to an end.
“I’m not happy despite the fact that we won this match,” Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said afterwards.”
If we had taken our chances, the story would have been different because we had all the chances but we wasted so much.”
Amuneke further praised the Les Leopards for their fighting spirit after conceding a goal, adding that his boys would have to up their game in the reverse fixture in a fortnight.
“We have seen what the Congolese can do and that means more work for us in the second leg but we are positive of going through eventually,” he stated.
Golden Eaglets Vs Congo DR
A.Udoh-A. Usman; L. Zakari, A.Bamidele (D. Uzama 54), A. Muhammed- J.
Ipalibo, K. Nwakali. Michael, P.Orji (S. Abdullahi 45), S. Chukwueze
(K.Ayinde 54), V. Osimhen
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