By Toby Prince
Sunday Oliseh was condemned to his first defeat as head coach of the Super Eagles on Thursday after a 2-0 bashing by the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise, Belgium.
The tactician who was appointed coach of the Nigeria national team in July, led the country to a draw and victory in his first two games in charge against Tanzania and Niger respectively but failed to inspire his team pass a very formidable DR Congo side.
Oliseh handed debut to former youth international defender, Abdulahi Shehu, while John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Elderson Echiejele and Odion Ighalo got the nod to start for the first time under his watch.
Dieumerci Mbokani gave the DRC a shock lead after just two minutes with a cool finish pass Carl Ikeme. It was the first time the Wolverhampton Wanderers keeper will be beaten in a Nigerian jersey and the first goal conceded in the Oliseh era.
The Nigerian back-line looked shaky in the early stages with the Leopards dominating play using their pace and physique.
After some nice interchanges, the Eagles were unable to bury their chances with Onazi, Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Sylvester Igboun all coming close to scoring.
Jordan Nkolo pounced on a fine through pass from Crystal Palace Yannick Bolasie to double the Francophone side’s lead after half an hour of action.
Several other players tasted action in the second half with youngsters Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi both grabbing their debut with cameo appearances.
The result means DRC have now picked up their second victory ever over the Eagles at the sixth time of trying.
Nigeria play Cameroon in the second friendly fixture on Sunday in Brussels, Belgium.
