Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will stage a battle of contrasting emotions on Tuesday night when Nigeria and Congo face off in their final group D fixture.
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‎For Nigeria’s Super eagles the contest is about salvaging dignity after two painful defeats while for Congo it is about survival and a chance to seize their first victory to book a quarter-final ticket in a group where every point still counts.

‎Nigeria’s coach Eric Sekou Chele did not hide the disappointment of the team’s campaign so far, admitting that costly mistakes and lapses had condemned the Super Eagles to early elimination.

“We left Zanzibar after our last match and have been training here in Dar es Salaam, it has been difficult for us because in reality the tournament is over but our motivation now is about honour. We cannot return home empty handed,” he said.

The statistics underline Nigeria’s struggles, no goals scored, five conceded and two losses.

For a footballing powerhouse with a decorated history it is a bitter pill to swallow. 
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‎Chele however insisted that the Congo clash was not a dead rubber. 
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‎”We lost this tournament but responsibility is ours. Now is the time to redeem ourselves, I want to see my players show quality not weakness, we have seen enough of the weakness,” he said.

Defender Junior Nduka echoed his coach’s sentiments framing the match as a matter of national pride .

“It is going to be very difficult against Congo. They need the win to qualify but for us it about defending our country. We don’t want to go back home with nothing. It has happened the way it has happened but now it is time to pick up the pieces and give our best,” said Nduka.

While Nigeria is speaking the language of redemption Congo is scripting one of urgency.

After two draws Barthelemy Ngatsono’s men sit third in the group with two points trailing leaders Sudan and Senegal by two points. Victory against Nigeria is the only route to the last eight.

The Congolese coach made it clear his side cannot afford any missteps.

“It is a very important game for us as well as for Nigeria. I know they are already out but that makes them dangerous. They will give us a lot of pressure because no team wants to leave without a point,” Ngatsono said.

Ngatsono who said he has studied Nigeria’s strengths and weaknesses urged his players to remain disciplined.

“Nigeria is a respected country in this sport, we know how they play, how they strike, we must avoid injuries, stay focused and use all our chances we will play to win,” he said.