Victor Moses Rated Above Yaya Toure, Rooney, Wilshere

Away from the eagles failure

Victor Moses boasts one of the most impressive stats in the EPL this season. With nine appearance so far, the Nigerian has notched one goal and three assists to help the potters to ninth position on the log.

The player is ranked 36th on the EA player index, making him the highest rated Stoke city player. The   Nigerian  is also ranked above several top super stars like Danny Welbeck(52), Aaron Ramsey(87), Wayne Rooney(50), Juan Mata(82) and even Yaya Toure(61).

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is the highest ranked player, followed by chelsea duo of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard in second and third respectively.

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is fourth, while a former gunner captain, now a hero at stamford bridge Cesc Fabregas is ranked sixtth.

The EA player performance index is the official player rating index of the Barclays premier league. It measures a players contribution to the team's success using six key indices. These includes;
Winning perfomance, players performance per match, appearances, goals scored, assists and clean sheets.

SHOKER!! Nigerian/Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor Accuses mom of Witchcraft!!

Came across this story about Adebayor and his family and decided to share, now we know recently the Adebayors as I like to call them have been in and out a popular radio station in Togo called peace fm, well it happened that Adebayor's sister (Maggie) gave an interview to the station where she accused Adebayor of not caring for his family, and abandoning his mother, she said "as am speaking to you now our mother is selling all sorts of items including padlocks, polythene bags, and some foodstuffs in the Ghana/Togo border, he has totally abandoned us, he doesn't pick or return calls from mom or me, he haven't seen his mother for over a year and yet it doesn't bother him, our mom just wants to see her son because she loves him so much, not for his money".
Adebayor also gave a follow up interview to peace fm where he dropped the bombshell.."how can I talk to a mother who together with my sisters have been plotting juju and witchcraft against me and my career? they have already shared all my properties while am still alive". He told peace fm
Now we all wonder what's going on because this is contrary to what Adebayor said earlier in an interview with daily mail in 2009 "when we got to the airport my mom said "go to France because if you succeed in France you can change the condition of our family". She knew that if I succeeded in football I could help our family get out of poverty, and live a better life, so right from age 15 I wasn't playing football for myself alone but for my family".

Wyclef, Victor Moses, Others Reacts To Nigeria Afcon Exit

It was a dark day in Nigerian football as the super eagles failed to make it through to Equitorial Guinea 2015.

Football enthusiast, ex internationals and even
renowned singer, Wyclef Jean joined over 180 million Nigerians to air their views about this dilemma.

Some notable reactions are:

Gutted for the lads but we will bounce back stronger as a nation. Keep believing #Nigeria- Victor Moses
       

A sad day for Nigerian football. I really believed the decisive one was vs Congo, only for South Africa to spoil it. God knows why, believe me!-Sunday Oliseh

Heartbreaking. Our boys showed determination to pull an equalizer, but it was not enough.-Keshi

Shocker, I am stunned unbelievable the #NGA #SuperEagles are out of #CFA finals in the hands of #RSA #AfricaUnited #Clefication #DivineSorrow-Wyclef Jean.

With coach,Stephen Keshi blaming his players for this debacle, NFF has swiftly moved to take the blame.

Whoever carries the blame, the fact still remains that the defending champions, Nigeria will not be defending their trophy come 2015.

Implications of Nigeria Absence From Afcon 2015

 Its no longer news that 2013 Afcon champions, Nigeria will not be defending their title in Equitorial Guinea, we look at the implications of Nigeria's absence from the next edition:

1. Farewell to Ageing Players

The 2015 Afcon might have been the last for the ageing crop of players in the current eagles set up.

Players like Ike Uche, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Osaze Odemwingie and Bathlomew Ogbeche are in their thirties while others like Mikel Obi, Chinedu Obasi, Taiye Taiwo, Efe Ambrose and even Emmanuel Emenike are in their prime and might not feature in the next edition due to age, form or other factors.

2. YoYo Afcon Status

After missing the 2012 edition in Gabon/Equitorial Guinea, Nigeria made it to South Africa in 2013 and will miss out the next edition in 2017 confirming Nigeria's Yoyo Afcon status.

The super Eagles has been on and off in Afcon, after qualifying only once in three Afcon tournaments.

3. Keshi's Afcon Triumph, a Fluke?

Nigeria were Afcon champions in 2013, got to round of sixteen in Brazil, third place in Chan 2014, all these were the achievements of Stephen Keshi in his 3 years spell as Nigeria coach. With same poll of players at his disposal, where did it go wrong for the big boss?

Call it whatever you want, but i term it a fluke. Individual brilliance and hard work got us where we are with the coach contributing little or nothing tactically to the team's overall outcome. Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba, Mikel Obi at one point or the other shouldered the burden of the team, but when form and fatigue set in, Keshi had no answer.

4. No show for Emerging NPFL Stars

A season where the record goals per season was broken, eleven players hit double figures in terms of goals, a player scored six goals in a single game, it was expected that the 2015 Afcon will be the icing on the cake for Nigeria premier league players. In what could be seen as the best season in the history of the league, the Afcon would have afforded these stars the necessary exposure required.

Already a main stay in the eagles team, players like Gbolahon Salami,Ighodaro Osaguona, Emem Edouk and Solomon Kwambe are regulars but 2017 might not be realistic for these lads.


5. Pinnick Vindicated?

On assumption of office as NFF president, Amaju Pinnick immediately got rid of Stephen Keshi and his crew replaced by Shuaibu Amadu on an interim basis but a presidential call ordered the reinstatement of the former captain.

Did Pinnick forsee the incoming danger?

6. Future is Bright

On the brighter side, Nigeria Afcon 2015 outster could be a blessing in disguise for Nigerian football.
"This is a dark moment but we will emerge into sunshine shortly." NFF boss Amaju Pinnick said.

Most players in the national setup are relatively young, players like Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are in their early twenties and are the core of the team. Coupled with the current crop of players in the youth system such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Chinedu Nwakali,Dele Alampasu,Chidera Eze amongst others under proper tutelage, Nigeria football will raise again.

Enyeama thankful despite failure

Super eagles captain Vincent enyeama remains thankful despite his team's failure to qualify for AFCON 2015. Just saw this pic he posted on his instagram page.

Eagles fail

Super eagles of Nigeria have once again failed to qualify for an AFCON Tournament, and once again they lost the ticket at home, ironically the game ended in a 2-2 draw, exactly the same scoreline it ended against guinea 3 years ago in Abuja, a scoreline that ensured that the eagles did not qualify for the AFCON Tournament held in Gabon and Equatorial guinea.
.The super eagles will definitely have themselves to blame after the likes of Ahmed Musa and Ike Uche where guilty of squandering clear cut chances in the 1st half, the south Africans who played one man(Tokelo Rantie 17) and he was more than enough to kick Nigeria out of title defence in Equatorial Guinea with 2 goals and nearly getting a 3rd but for the sharpness of skipper Enyeama. 
Tokelo Rantie took advantage of a jittery Eagles defence to fire home before half time and rounded up a brilliant display when he again snatched the ball from a stumbling Kenneth omeruo to round enyeama and slot home. It was now the turn of attacker Sone Aluko to save the blushes as he scored twice before the whistle to ensure that the Uyo stadium isn't opened with a loss.
Nigeria has never had a chance to defend a title she won either in 1980, 1994 or most recently 2013.
NFF President came out yesterday to say that he should be blamed for the failure of the Eagles to qualify but we all know one man can't be blamed for this. 
What's your take?

Photos: super eagles fans struggle for match ticket

Super eagles of Nigeria as we all know will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a must win encounter for Nigeria. The match will be the first international match to be played in the newly opened Nest stadium in Uyo, and reports reaching us indicates that their might be scarcity of tickets as all and sundry will be looking to watch the eagles play.
See photos of 9ja fans struggling to buy match tickets after the cut..

Five Afcon 2015 Qualifier Facts/Stats You Might Know or Not know

 As the 2015 African cup of nations qualifiers draws to a close, we look at five key facts from the five rounds of game. 
 --Burkina Faso midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa is the leading individual scorer with five goals from five matches. 
 -- Ivory Coast are the leading team scorers with 13 goals while Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia boast the tightest defences, conceding just one goal each in 450 minutes. 
 -- Guinea midfielder Seydouba Soumah, who plays for Slovak club Slovan Bratislava, has scored the only hat-trick, netting three times within 26 minutes against Togo in Lome. 
 -- Algeria, the most impressive African side at the 2014 World Cup, boast the lone 100 percent record with one match left while Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa and Tunisia are unbeaten. 
 -- Former champions Ivory Coast trounced Sierra Leone 5-1 in Abidjan and Angola hammered Lesotho 4-0 in Luanda to record the biggest victories of the 70 mini-league matches.

Oduamadi edges closer to Crystal Palace move

Super eagles and AC Milan midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi is heading for a move to the EPL, reports have it on good authority that palace boss Neil warnock has spoken highly of the attacker and a deal might be in the cards, Oduamadi who have found game time difficult to come by in Italy would be expected to beef up Palace's goal shy trio of Fraizer Campbell, Dwight Gale and Maruane Chamakh in January. When quizzed about the move the Nigerian couldn't hide his feelings on a move to premier league, "it would be a dream come true for me to play in England and especially for a good side like Palace".
Oduamadi also says he knows Palace scouts have been watching a few of his games, "i know they (crystal palace) have come watch me play a few times and my agent tells me they're interested ".
If Oduamadi eventually makes the move to Palace it would boost his return to the Eagles after getting the cold shoulder from Eagles boss Stephen Keshi.

Nigeria lead Ghana, Ivory Coast in AFCON final push -Mashaba picks his 11 troops to battle Nigeria

Defending champions Nigeria will lead several top teams today including four-time winners Ghana and the Ivory Coast in a final bid to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles got their tottering campaign back on track at the weekend in Pointe-Noire, beating hosts Congo to cancel out a 3-2 shock home loss in September.

Nigeria, second in Group A with seven points from five matches, will bid to beat group winners South Africa in the brand-new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo to book their place.

“It was not an easy game against a very determined Congo side, but luck was on our side. We took a big step forward (by this win),” said coach Stephen Keshi, who will be without Reading midfielder Hope Akpan who dislocated his shoulder in Congo. “Now we must do everything to get the three points and qualify for the Nations Cup.” 

Third-placed Congo are hoping South Africa can do them a big favour by not losing in Nigeria and they win in Sudan on Wednesday. Congo, who last featured at the Nations Cup 14 years ago, could also qualify as third-best losers if they beat Sudan and Guinea fail to beat Uganda at home.

The Black Stars of Ghana stumbled to a 1-0 loss in Uganda on Saturday, but they are still top of Group E with eight points and will only need to draw with visiting Togo in Tamale to advance. Suspended Jordan Ayew will return, but older brother Andre Ayew suffered a thigh injury in Uganda and is now a major injury doubt.

It is a straight fight between the Ivory Coast and DR Congo for the remaining automatic qualification from Group D after a second-half striker by Vincent Aboubakar against DRC in Yaounde gave the Indomitable Lions an unassailable 13 points.

7 others Join South Africa and Cameroun as countries already through to the biggest football showpiece in Africa. They include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Senegal, Zambia, Cape Verde and Tunisia.

Nigeria and six other countries will know their fate today with the last round of matches set to take place across Africa today, wednesday.
Five times African Champions, Egypt will miss next edition of AFCON, a third in a row since 2012. 

Meanwhile, Bafana coach, Shakes Mashaba makes three changes to the team that beat Sudan 2-1 at the weekend. Tefu Mashamaite for Rivaldo Coetzee, Reneilwe Letsholonyane replaces Andile Jali and Masango Mandla takees the place of Thulani Serero who misses out completely due to a hamstring injury.

South Africa 11:
Darren Keet(GK), Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Sibusiso Khumalo, Anele Ngcongca, Oupa Manyisa, Dean Furman(cap), Reneilwe Ltsholonyane, Mandla Masango, Tokelo Rantie, Bongani Ndulula

Glo and 180million Nigerians back eagles

National telecommunications operator, Globacom, has declared support for the Super Eagles ahead of the crucial last qualifying match of 2015 African Cup of Nations against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday.

In a press statement released in Lagos on Tuesday, Globacom stated that the Eagles need maximum support from 170 Million Nigerians in their quest to win the match and pick the second Group A ticket to 2015 African Cup of Nations’ in Equatorial Guinea.

Globacom therefore tasked the Super Eagles not to spare Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, adding that only total victory will make Nigerians happy, especially after the team returned to reckoning in the group with their heart-warming victory over the Red Devils of Congo in Pointe Noire on Saturday.

Bafana Bafana leads Group D with 11 points going into this game while Eagles are second with 7 points, although they tie with Red Devils of Congo who will play Sudan in Khartoum, same day but with superior goals advantage.

“Like we expressed belief in the Super Eagles to beat Congo last weekend, we are also backing the team to pick the three points against South Africa in this game. We equally believe that the Eagles have rediscovered their rhythm and are on course towards featuring in Equatorial Guinea where they will defend their title in January next year,” the statement added.

According to Globacom: “ We cannot fail to appreciate the collective effort of the team in surmounting the challenge in Congo as we believe the players will not take their feet off the pedal at this point in time until the AFCON ticket is secured,” the statement further said.

Meanwhile, the team has intensified preparation for the match with the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, assuring Nigerians of good outing on Wednesday.

Globacom also commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its steadfastness in supporting the national team, as well as the supporters club and the fans for their prayers.

“Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of Nigerian national teams since 2003.

Onazi Misses Tuesday Morning Training

Nigeria midfielder, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi was missing in the Super Eagles training session on Tuesday morning.

The reports has cast doubts on his participation for the team's crucial African cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on wednesday at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo.

The Lazio midfielder had a little arguement with John Obi Mikel in the 2-0 win over Congo Brazzaville on saturday in Pointe Noire.

The reasons for his absence can not be ascertained in the time of filling this report. The team concentrated on shooting and goal scoring in the morning training session.

In his absence, Sharks Fc midfielder Joseph Nathaniel was tried and is a likely starter for the cracker on wednesday.

Meanwhile, the draws for the forthcoming nations cup will be held in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea on 3rd december 2014.

Injury made me Emotional -Akpan

Just saw this now and decided to write something about it, the shirtless guy is Hope Akpan, he plays for Reading football club in the English championship,  he's been a real rock in the heart of the eagles midfield lately, returned to the Eagles setup in the game against Sudan and has been present ever since. Akpan was having a pretty good game in Pointe Noire before he fell awkwardly and injured his arm. Akpan told footballlive.ng he felt very emotional because of the injury "I don’t think I’ll be fit for the game on Wednesday in Uyo. I have a very special attachment to the city because that’s where my family is from.

” I know a lot of them will come to watch me on the pitch but it’s really upsetting that I’ll be missing out on the game.

” I cried but not because of the pain, rather it was realizing I won’t be playing. I suppose this will make me a stronger and better player in the future.

PREVIEW: Nigeria vs South Africa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the new Akwaibom stadium, Uyo knowing that their destiny lie in their own hands if they are to make the trip to Equitorial Guinea.

Nigeria coming to this game earned impressive back to back victories over Sudan and Congo respectively with the later  played away in an hostile environment in Pointe Noire.

The Eagles who only managed one point from their first three games were on the brink of elimination, but a change in fortune in the last two games saw them topple Congo to second place on the log. A win for the eagles irrespective of what happens in Sudan takes them through.

On the other hand, South Africa are already through to the nations cup having secured 11 points from 5 games and has not lost a game thus far in the qualifiers. 

Shakes Mashaba seem to have revitalized this side that struggled to qualify for major tournaments in recent years having made it through to the AFCON for the first time since 2008(not as host).

The earlier fixture in Cape Town ended in a barren draw with South Africa undoubtedly the better side.

Head To Head

The two teams has met 10 times:

Nigeria win: 7

South Africa: 1

Draw: 2

South Africa has never beaten Nigeria in a competitive fixture with their only victory over the eagles coming in 2004 in an international friendly,the mandela cup. Ended 2-1

Nigeria last 5 games: D L W W W

South Africa last 5 games: W D W D W

A9F 11 vs South Africa

A9F makes just two changes from the team that beat Congo, Aaron Samuel comes in for the injured Hope Akpan, while Sone Aluko starts in place of Emmanuel Emenike.

Formation: 4.2.3.1

Enyeama, Efe, Egwueke, Oboabona, Oshaniwa;Mikel, Onazi; Samuel, Aluko, Musa; Uche

Kickoff: 6pm

On this day in 9ja Football

OnthisdayinNigerianfootball: 19 November

2011: Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored his fourth goal of the season for Blackburn Rovers in an away 3-3 draw at Wigan Athletic.

2008: Colombia 1-0 Nigeria, international friendly game in Colombia.

1967: Sudan were 2-1 victors over Nigeria, in an olympic games qualifier played in Sudan.

1983: Cedeao tournament played in Senegal, Senegal lost by a lone goal to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Four Countries to battle it out for Afcon 2017

The Confederation of African Football have confirmed that the list of countries in line to host the 2017 African Nations Cup has been whittled down to four. Seven nations met the September 30 deadline to replace war-torn Libya as host of the continental championship, but only four of those have been determined as “compliant” with the criteria required by CAF. And so one of Algeria, Egypt, Gabon and Ghana will play host to the 2017 finals, with CAF yet to set the date for when they will make a final decision. Gabon seem an unlikely winner as the 2015 tournament will be in nearby Equatorial Guinea and CAF will almost certainly take the event to another region on the continent. Ghana are always a strong option and have proven facilities, but hosted as recently as 2008. Egypt likewise have all the required infrastructure but are still a fragile society after the political turmoil that ousted a succession of presidents from office in the last few years. They last hosted in 2006 and at the weekend missed out on yet another finals appearance when they were ousted from the qualifiers for 2015. They have not been to the continental showpiece since winning it in 2010. Algeria must be seen as a strong option, it would keep the tournament in north Africa and is the only chance for the region to host over a 19-year period with the finals up until 2023 already having been allocated to Cameroon (2019), Ivory Coast (2021) and Guinea (2023). The last time the tournament was held in north Africa was Egypt in   2006 and the region may hope to make up for missing out on 2015 too after Morocco withdrew over fears of Ebola.

Emotional return for uche

Uche, whose last appearance for his country was in the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso, tucked away a penalty in the 59th minute to set the Super Eagles in flight.

On a dramatic day in Pointe Noire, Vincent Enyeama saved a Thievy Bifouma penalty when his side were 1-0 up.

Aaron Samuel struck the vital second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

"It was an emotional return and I thank my team-mates and the coaching crew for the support," said the Villareal hitman

"It's great to come back to the squad, reunite with some wonderful people and more importantly win away from home.

"Delighted to score but that's behind us as we must shift our focus to Wednesday in what is a very big game for us."

Nigeria will finish second and snatch a berth in Equatorial Guinea if they beat South Africa when they host them on Wednesday in Uyo, as they have now scored more goals than Congo in their two meetings.

"We've been saying Wednesday is like a Cup final against South Africa and all the players know what is at stake," said Uche.

"The mood is great, we know the expectations of our fans and we must give everything on the pitch to get the win.

"After that important win against Congo we now have our fate in our own hands."

Uche is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most reliable strikers at international level and is one of his nation's all-time top scorers, with 19 goals in 46 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

He was omitted from the country's squad to the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup and this year's World Cup in Brazil.

But the Villarreal striker remains philosophical and has put the past behind him, insisting he is just happy to wear the white and green colours of Nigeria again.

"To move forward in life you can't focus on the past so you need to stay positive for what lies ahead," he added.

"It's always an honour to play for Nigeria with a huge talent base, so it's like living a childhood dream whenever I get the chance to represent my country.

"I just want to give my best when I get picked. Football is a team sport and I feel honoured to play alongside these talented players and under a coaching crew who also command huge respect in Nigeria."

All9jafootball's observations from Congo vs Nigeria

Nigeria took bold strides towards Equitorial Guinea 2015 after beating Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire on saturday,16 November 2014. All9jafootball writes on her observations during and after the encounter from a nigerian perspective 

1. Enyeama is Africa's Best Player

     Undoubtedly Nigeria's best goalkeeper in history, the Lille shot stopper should be number one contender to displace Yaya Toure as CAF footballer of the year 2014 after impressing for both club and country in the year under review.

He led Nigeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and helped club, Lille to third place finish in the french Ligue 1 keeping 21 clean sheets in the process. He showed the world again against Congo that his recent nomination for BBC African footballer of the year Award is not a fluke.

  He led from the back against the Red Devils and capped a remarkable perfomance with a penalty save. 

2. Chinese league is no push Over

     The general notion here in Nigeria and Africa at large is that the Chinese league is for ageing, finished and Asian players only but thats not the case.

It might not be glamorous or even in the class of the EPL, la liga or the bundesliga but its fast becoming a force to be reckoned with considering the talents discovered from there.. No wonder they say treasure lies in hidden places.

Samuel Aaron has thus far shut his critics with fine strings of performance scoring 2 goals in 3 appearances for his country after starting just once. 

With his blend of skills ,agility and athletism the Guangzhou R&F attacker is already a local hero in Nigeria.

   

3. Egwuekwe has come of age

     A player basically used as backup for first choice pair of Omeruo and Oboabona, the Warri wolves skipper has staked a claim for regular starting berth after impressing in two successive games against Ghana and  Congo respectively.

The defender has always been on the fringes with the main Eagles team having featured at the 2013 Afcon and 2014 WC. 

Against Congo He was a rock at the back, winning both aerial and ground duels. His interceptions were timely and was always at the right place to make important tackles. No wonder he got bandaged on the head after colliding with a Congolese attacker. 

4. Keshi needs to improve on his tactics/stop experimenting 

   A building under construction since 2011 and yet hasnt beeen completed should be effectively checked by the client. Ask Coach Stephen Keshi about his team and you know the obvious response. The manager has been criticized constantly for his choice of players and tactics.

One keeps wondering why Keshi either plays

players out of position or uses them wrongly with his tactics. Against Congo, Mikel played an unfamiliar Attacking midfield role and failed to make any impact but later flourished when played in his familiar double pivot role. Efe Ambrose has constantly been played out of position, Emenike as well was used out of position against Congo. 

Thee idea of playing long balls isnt working for Nigeria, but the adamant tactician seems daft and hasnt seen any problems with this. A backup plan is always required in football incase your master plan fails, but as for Keshi its a one way trafic, like for like subs with no meaningful change in tactics. 

If Nigeria eventually progresses, Keshi needs to better his tactics and stop experimenting with the players.  

6. Uche is not the Messiah 

     Wrote a piece earlier in the week on "who has more point to prove on return to the national setup, Uche or Keshi?". To me, Uche had more to prove considering the manner the whole country clamoured for his return after being overlooked by the big boss.

    Uche, undoubtedly is very talented, his goal ratio in a Nigeria jersey speaks volume. He got a goal on his return against Congo but was he worth the hype? It's a no for me.

Uche apart from a few classy touches here and there was anonymous and isolated for most part of the game and does not posses the physique and energy required to lead the line for the eagles, but is a quality alternative to have in your team.    Thank God he got a goal against Congo, if not the big boss would have picked up his hammer and never extend a call up to the Villareal striker just as he did to Obafemi Martins 

Keshi describes away win as encouraging.

Nigeria super eagles manager Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has described the super eagles win against the Red devils of Congo as an encouraging result, speaking to journalists after the game Keshi hailed the character of his lads who uped their game to produce an excellent result. "The game was definitely a difficult one for us, the Congolese where eager for a positive result and so gave their all, also the home fans where right behind their team all the way, but our boys rose to the challenge and we got the victory, this is a very encouraging result for our team".
The super eagles go into the game against south Africa on Wednesday in Uyo knowing that they need just a win to secure qualification for Equatorial Guinea 2015.