Nigeria beat Congo 2-1, leaves qualifier wide open
- nationalpilot
- Jul 21, 2015
- 1 min read
Nigeria beat Congo 2-1 to leave this CAF U-23 Championship qualifier wide open with the second leg in Pointe-Noire in a fortnight.
After a scoreless first half completely dominated by home team Nigeria, Junior Ajayi finally opened scoring in the 48th minute after Congo goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi failed to hold on to an acute-angled shot by Godwin Saviour.
Shooting Stars striker Ajayi completed his brace in the 54th minute, when he headed home a low cross from the left by Etor Daniel.
But just when Dream Team VI were cruising to a comfortable home win, Congo pulled a goal back through Moise Nkonkou in the 66th minute.
A penalty appeal by Nigeria in the 59th minute was overlooked by the Kenyan referee, but television replays later showed it should have been given as Etebo Oghenekaro's shot was handled by a Congo defender inside the box.
Nigeria made three changes thereafter with Musa Yahaya, Taiwo Awoniyi and Umar Aminu coming in as they went in search of more goals.
Awoniyi failed to connect a low drive across the Congo goal in the 75th minute.
And in stoppage time, Saviour again forced a double save from the Congo shot stopper.
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