AFCON: Nigeria brighten qualification hopes, beat Congo 2-0

Steven Keshi and Vincent Enyeama

African champions Nigeria brightened their chances of qualifying for the 2015 African Cup of Nations courtesy of a 2-0 win over Congo in Pointe-Noire on Saturday.

Returnee striker, Ike Uche, converted a second half penalty before China-based Aaron Samuel added a second late on to the dismay of the Congolese fans, who threw missiles into the pitch afterwards in anger.

With the victory, Nigeria are now in second position in Group A of the qualifiers, with seven points from five games, and stand a chance of defending their title, won last year in South Africa, at Africa’s top football showpiece next year.

Congo, who defeated the Eagles 3-2 in the earlier phase of the qualifiers, also have seven points but are behind the Nigerians on the head-to-head to rule.

Group leaders South Africa had earlier defeated bottom-placed Sudan 2-1 at home to secure their place for the competition next year.

If the Super Eagles beat South Africa on Wednesday at the new Uyo Stadium, qualification would be secured by the Eagles.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi should have put Nigeria ahead after 20 minutes, when he headed wide from a corner kick.

But Nigeria was more businesslike after the break. Goal-bound Emmanuel Emenike was fouled by goalkeeper Massa but it was Villareal forward Uche, who converted the resultant spot kick in the 59th minute to the joy of Nigerian fans at the stadium.

But six minutes later, man of the match, Vincent Enyeama, saved a penalty after centre-back Godfrey Oboabona, handled the ball inside the area.

Samuel then sealed the win for Nigeria in the 89th minute, when he scored from inside the box. It’s the ex-3SC’s striker’s second goal in two games, having also scored in the 3-1 defeat of Sudan in Abuja.

Angry Congolese fans then threw missiles into the pitch, which could earn their team a ban, after crowd incidents in their earlier game against Sudan.

A win over the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday will secure a place for the Eagles in the continental event next year but Congo could still qualify as best third-placed team if they beat Sudan away same day.