By Toby Prince
Nigeria will continue her quest towards returning to the glory days when they tackle the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in an International friendly in Belgium on Thursday night.
Few years ago, the clash between these two sides could be judged as a stroll in the park for the West Africans who at that time were a dominant force on the African scene.
But recent showings suggest likewise with the three-time African champions unable to defend the African Cup of Nations title they won in 2013 two years later in Equatorial Guinea.
DR Congo on the other hand excelled at the 2015 AFCON tourney where they piped the host to third place coupled with local club, TP Mazembe, excelling in continental competitions.
With just eight-places separating the two sides in the latest FIFA Ranking, Nigeria, 52, could as well improve their placement with a victory over the Makossa Kings who recently moved up five-places to sixty in the world.
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 four 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 will await the winners of the Burundi/Seychelles tie.
Head-to-head
Nigeria have met DRC five times with the Eagles victorious in four occasions – losing just once.
Nigeria v DR Congo; P5 W4 D0 L1
Team news
Nigeria will be without two key players, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo , who both opted out of the tie over injury concerns.
Coach Sunday Oliseh regretted the absence of the pair replacing the latter with Celtic’s Efe Ambrose.
He said: “We have no choice now but to work with the other players who are available.”
Alongside the duo, about seven other players from the Nigerian domestic league will not feature in the game due to their inability to secure entry visas to Belgium.
While from the camp of the Leopards, 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.
Update from both camps
Nigeria coach, Sunday Oliseh, will hope to put his off-field rancour with former skipper, Vincent Enyeama, behind him as he continues to build a team for the future.
While his Congolese counterpart, Florent Ibenge, might not be on the bench for the game due to domestic duties with his club-side. His assistants have been saddled with the responsibility of leading the team out against the Super Eagles.
Players to watch
Odion Ighalo: Nigeria’s most in-form striker in Europe at the moment, Ighalo has scored five goals this season for Watford in just eight games.
In 2015 alone, the 26-year-old has notched a record 21 goals, making him the most prolific striker across all England top tier.
The player will hope to transfer his club form to the national team thereby reposing the manager’s faith placed in him.
His last goal for the Super Eagles was in the 2-0 win over Chad in a 2017 AFCON qualifier in June.
Yannick Bolasie: Another top African performer in the English Premier League, Bolasie constantly thrills the audience with his skilful runs, flicks and tricks as well goals for Crystal Palace.
The 26-year-old is a prominent feature in Alan Pardew’s team list having developed into one of the best wingers in the League.
Already capped 20-times by the Francophone side, the winger was instrumental en route to their third place finish at the 2015 AFCON and could pose a huge threat to the Super Eagles defence.
Possible line-ups
Nigeria (4-2-3-1)
Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, William Troost, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejele; Ogenyi Onazi, John Obi Mikel; Ahmed Musa, Rabiu Ibrahim, Simon Moses; Odion Ighalo
DR Congo (4-3-3)
Mandanda Parfait, Oualembo Christopher, Zakuani Gabriel, Mongongu Cédric, Nsakala Fabrice; Nkololo Jordan, Mulumba Rémy, Bolasie Yannick; Mabwati Cédric, Botaka Jordan, Bakambu Cédric
Do you know that?
DR Congo formerly known as Zaire was the first Sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1974, 20 years before the Super Eagles made their maiden appearance.
The Leopards were African champions twice in 1968 and 1974, beating Ghana and Guinea to the title.
Head coach Florent Ibenge and assistant Mwinyi Zahera handle the national team concurrently with domestic sides AS Vita and DC Motema Pemba respectively and as a result will miss Thursday’s friendly with Nigeria.
