Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat against DR Congo in the first leg of their Olympic qualifying tie in Lubumbashi on Friday afternoon, Footynaija reports.
An own goal from goalkeeper Samuel James and a strike from Filozofe Mabete gave the hosts a two-goal advantage ahead of Tuesday’s return fixture.
Eric Chelle’s side made a promising start but failed to convert their early chances.
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Nigeria registered their first attempt in the fourth minute when Samuel fired wide, before the forward squandered a better opportunity five minutes later.
Samuel found himself one-on-one with the Congolese goalkeeper in the ninth minute but could not find the net.
The hosts punished Nigeria for those misses when James inadvertently turned the ball into his own net midway through the first half.
Things got worse for the Olympic Eagles when Zadok suffered an injury and had to be replaced in the 30th minute.
DR Congo doubled their lead before half-time following another defensive lapse from the visitors.
Nigeria failed to clear a free-kick, allowing Mabete to pounce on the loose ball and fire past James from close range.
The goal sent DR Congo into the interval with a 2-0 lead, leaving Chelle’s men needing a response in the second half.
Nigeria improved after the restart and pushed forward in search of a goal that would reduce the deficit.
The Olympic Eagles created an opportunity to pull one back but could not beat the Congolese goalkeeper.
Despite their efforts, Nigeria failed to score, with DR Congo holding on to secure a 2-0 victory.
Olympic Eagles face difficult task in return leg
Friday’s defeat leaves Nigeria needing to overturn a two-goal deficit in Tuesday’s second leg to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.
Chelle will be concerned by his team’s poor finishing and defensive mistakes, both of which contributed to the defeat in Lubumbashi.
Nigeria could have taken an early lead through Samuel but instead conceded twice before half-time.
The Olympic Eagles must now win by at least two goals in the return fixture to have any chance of progressing.
A two-goal victory would bring the aggregate score level, while a win by three or more goals would send Nigeria through outright.
