ROUGH JUSTICE!
Leopards land knockout blow as Ajayi fluffs key spot-kick
By SCM Sports Writer
RABBAT – Nigeria’s World Cup dream was brutally extinguished last night in a sudden-death penalty shootout, as the DR Congo Leopards clawed their way to the Intercontinental Playoff in a heart-stopping Final in Rabat.
The Super Eagles fought like heroes in a white-knuckle affair at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, but ultimately came up short against a determined Congolese side.
The match exploded into life in the third minute. A clever cross by Zaidu Sanusi was flicked on, and Frank Onyeka’s shot took a wicked deflection to hand the Eagles an early lead.
Stand-in skipper Wilfred Ndidi saw a shot sail wide as the Eagles poured forward, but the Leopards quickly regrouped.
The blow came just after the half-hour mark. Star striker Victor Osimhen had a cross saved, and barely a minute later, the Eagles were punished for a midfield turnover. Meshak Elia was first to the ball, beating Ndidi to slot past Stanley Nwabali and level the score.
Disaster struck for Nigeria as Osimhen, their main threat, was forced out of the contest after the first 45 minutes with an injury.
The tension ramped up after the break. Nwabali was on hand to save a delicate touch from a Congolese corner, and the ding-dong battle raged through to the end of regulation time.
In extra time, Tolu Arokodare’s header from a Bruno Onyemaechi cross sailed just over, and Nwabali kept Nigerian hopes alive in the dying moments with a crucial save from a goal-bound header.
The drama peaked in the shootout. Both teams missed two of their first five kicks, with Calvin Bassey and Simon Moses failing to score for Nigeria. Jerome Akor, Onyemaechi, and Chidera Ejuke kept the Eagles in the hunt.
But the crushing moment came when defender Semi Ajayi stepped up, only to see his kick saved.
The Leopards then coolly slotted their next attempt, sparking wild celebrations as they booked their spot in the Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico, and leaving the gallant Super Eagles utterly heartbroken.
