African champions Nigeria suffer shock Afcon defeat to Congo Brazzaville

Published on: 06 September 2014
African champions Nigeria suffer shock Afcon defeat to Congo Brazzaville
Thievy Bifouma scored twice against Nigeria in Calabar

Congo Brazzaville beat African champions Nigeria 3-2 away in Calabar to begin their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with one of the biggest shocks in African football history.

The Super Eagles fell apart in quite extraordinary fashion in Calabar - a reflection perhaps of the chaos engulfing Nigerian football at the moment.

Elsewhere on Saturday, there were also away wins for Cameroon, Algeria and Cape Verde on a day when 11 group qualifiers were scheduled across the continent.

Nigeria, the reigning African champions, took the lead against Congo after 13 minutes when Efe Ambrose's header managed to find a way past Congo goalkeeper Massa Chansel.

But the lead did not last long as Prince Oniangue took advantage of some slack marking and equalised for the Red Devils two minutes later.

It was a tricky game played on a bumpy pitch which made ball-control nearly impossible.

As Nigeria struggled to find drive and creativity, disaster struck.

Just moments after goalkeeper Austin Ejide had done well to keep out a superb free kick by Francis Nganga, the visitors went in front on 40 minutes when Thievy Bifouma (pictured) finished off a fine move.

Bifouma struck again in the 53rd minute when he converted a penalty awarded when he was fouled by Ogenyi Onazi inside the box.

Gbolahan Salami then gave the home side a glimmer of hope when he reduced the arrears with less than five remaining.

But the Red Devils held on for a famous victory.

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