A brace from Aminu Umar and one from Abduljeleel Ajagun were all the Nigerian team needed to qualify for the last four of the tourney having started the competition on a poor note.
The John Obuh-led team who needed to avoid a defeat to be sure of their progress after their 0-1 loss to Mali in the opener produced their best performance of the tournament as they tore the Congo DR defence apart.
Despite the absence of striker Olanrewaju Kayode who missed the encounter due to two yellow cards, he picked up in the first two matches, the champions were more businesslike in their approach and it was a matter of minutes before the Eagles got on the score sheet.
Their efforts paid off in the 34th minute when inspirational captain, Abduljeleel Ajagun converted a penalty to give Nigeria the lead.
Ajagun would have doubled the lead four minutes later after being played in by Aminu Umar who was impressive with his electric runs on the right wing, but his short went wide off the post.
Barely a minute after the miss, Umar took the bull by the horn as he capitalized on Congo DR’s defensive frailties in the 39th minute to beat the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s second, thus ending the first half with a two-goal advantage.
Ajagun’s beautiful pass two minutes after the restart of the second half found Umar who despite being sandwiched in between the Congolese defenders, calmly tipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to put the game beyond their opponent.
Efforts to consolidate on their lead were however met with stiff opposition from the Congolese who appeared determined not to let in more goals, while Congo DR’s industrious move 18 minutes from full time produced a consolation goal.
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