Big match feature: Nigeria vs DRC

Nigeria will continue her journey towards redemption when the Super Eagles tackle the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in an International friendly in Belgium on Wednesday night.

Smarting from non-qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles (below) are on the mend as Sunday Oliseh steps out for his third game in charge of the national team.

Saddled with responsibility of getting Nigeria back to it’s vertex seat among African nations after Stephen Keshi was shown the door, Oliseh has gone about trying to rebuild the Super Eagles and the test game against DR Congo will be an avenue for him to test how far his team has come.

Match background

Both sides are trying to use the friendly game to prepare for World Cup qualifiers but with an eye on when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations gets into the business end.

Nigeria are second in Group G of the Afcon qualifiers with 4 points from two matches behind Egypt who lead the group while DR Congo are second in Group B with three points after two matches.

The Super Eagles will also meet the winner of the Djibouti/Swaziland in the preliminary round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers while the DRC (below) will await the winners of the Burundi/Seychelles tie.

Sunday Oliseh and his DRC counterpart Florent Ibenge will hope for a good outing before the forth coming games.

Head to Head: Nigeria have met DR Congo five times with Nigeria winning four of those and losing just one

Nigeria v DR Congo; P5 W4 D0 L1

Flash back;

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Abuja National Stadium; Nigeria 5 (Obinna Nsofor-2, Peter Utaka,Osas Idehen,Chinedu Ezimorah) DR Congo 2 (Mbenza Bedi-2)

Nigeria line up; Segun Oluwaniyi, Onyekachi Apam, Elderson Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo, ThankGod Ike, Sani Kaita, Reuben Gabriel, Cinedu Ezimorah, Obinna Nsofor, Peter Utaka, Osas Idehen

News coming out of the Kinsasha suggest Florent Ibenge might not be on the bench for the Nigeria game as his assistants have been saddled with the responsibility of leading the team out against the Super Eagles

Nigeria has been hit with injuries as Victor Moses and Kenneth Omerou have both been ruled out due to injuries.

No replacement has been announced for Moses but Celtic’s Efe Ambrose will take the place of the Kasimpasa defender.

DR Congo captain Yousuf Mulumbu will sit this out as the Norwich City defender continues his rehabilitation from injury while Chievo Verona of Italy winger Paul-Jose Mpoku will also miss the game through injury

Coach Florent Ibenge has surprisingly dropped Dieumerci Mbokani and has gone with the in-form Villareal striker Cedric Bakambu in a move that has surprised many followers of the team

Players to watch;

Idion Ighalo: The Watford striker will be the the main man for Nigeria in attack after been handed a recall to the team by Oliseh.

The former Granada striker has been in red hot form for the Hornets and has notched up five goals so far in the English Premier to underlay his form.

Oliseh will look up to him to provide the goals that will bury the Leopards of DR Congo

Yannick Bolasie: The 26 year old has come up in leaps and bounds over the few years and is beginning to fulfil his potentials. Bolasie is a traditional winger who can also play through the middle.

He has pace to burn with flicks and tricks to booth and that has endeared him to the fans at Selhurst Park where he plays for Crystal Palace.

He was instrumental to DR Congo’s third place finish at the last Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and will look to translate that national team form when he files our against the Super Eagles.

Teams;

DR Congo;

Goalkeepers: Mandanda Parfait, Kiassumbua Joël, Nkela Franck.

Defenders: Oualembo Christopher, Zakuani Gabriel, Mongongu Cédric, Nsakala Fabrice, Tamata Abel, Mavinga Chris.

Midfielders: Nkololo Jordan, Mulumba Rémy, Kebano Neeskens, Mbemba Chancel, Kabananga Junior, Maghoma Jacques, Kamavuaka Wilson.

Strikers: Mabwati Cédric, Botaka Jordan, Mubele Firmin, Bakambu Cédric, Bolasie Yannick, Mpoku Paul-José, Bokila Jérémy.

Nigeria

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)

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