Congo Vs Nigeria another record to be broken in Cape Town

For 33 long years the West African giants have not lost a competitive match on their own patch. 1981 was the last home defeat, invincibility ever since….few of the continent’s nations could have made claims greater than that…until now. Records are there to be broken, or so they say, but the current Nigeria squad will surely be devastated that the Super Eagles’ proud history of resilience at home fell on their watch. The Republic of Congo strode into town behind Claude Le Roy, a wily, savvy veteran who knows how to forge resilient, yet offensive-minded teams. He hasn’t always succeeded, but he did on Saturday, dethroning the African champions with unforgettable lesson.

However, anyone who has witnessed the Super Eagles in the 18 months or so since they won the African championship will be aware of how things have stagnated (if not deteriorated) for Stephen Keshi’s troops. Despite a vast and extensive talent pool, doubts remain about both the organisation of and the personnel in both the midfield and the attack. After conceding three, perhaps the defence ought to come under scrutiny as well.

Historically, statistically, few can argue that it was not a shock to see Nigeria not only beaten at home by one of the continent’s mid-ranked sides, but also concede three (the defence, after all, was the last to be breached at the recent World Cup.) There is no time for Nigeria to sulk, brood upon their failure and lick their wounds, they return to action on Wednesday evening with their second Group A fixture, against South Africa in Cape Town Could another record be about to fall? To date, Nigeria have never lost a competitive fixture to South Africa.

Admittedly, Bafana Bafana were late additions to CAF—they had to wait until the end of apartheid before being readmitted in the early nineties. Therefore, the teams haven’t met as often as some, but still, despite South Africa’s relative strength (they have won one continental crown and featured at three World Cups since the mid-nineties) they’re never mustered a competitive victory against the Super Eagles.

The two teams have met nine times. Nigeria have seven victories (including three World Cup qualifiers, two at the Afcon, one at the Championship of African Nations and one friendly victory), there has been one draw (in a World Cup qualifier back in 1993) and one South African victory (the Nelson Mandela Invitational in 2004).

Surely, the Super Eagles must improve on their performance against Congo. If they can, if Keshi can choose an intelligent starting XI and if the players perform, then Nigeria should get their qualification campaign back on track.