Wasteful Super Eagles continue losing streak, beaten by Ecuador
The Super Eagles on Thursday succumbed to a 0-1 defeat by Ecuador in their second consecutive international friendly in New Jersey, U.S.
The Eagles lost their first match on Saturday. This was after captain William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal to gift Mexico a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Dallas, Texas.
The 25,000-capacity Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, was packed to the brim as the Ecuadorians started the game in rampant manner, advertising silky touches and manifesting so much energy and invention.
The boys of Gustavo Alfaro are going to their fourth FIFA World Cup finals and were in high spirit as they filed out against the hurriedly assembled Eagles.
The South Americans are drawn to play the opening match of this year’s FIFA World Cup finals against hosts Qatar on November 21 and will also play Senegal and The Netherlands in Group A.
Super Eagles’ newly-appointed head coach Jose Peseiro made one change from Sunday’s loss against Mexico, starting Katsina United midfielder Sani Faisal in place of the injured Bonke Innocent.
Ecuador, however, opened the scoring after only three minutes as Villareal defender Pervis Estupiñán foxed the Nigeria rearguard and converted an in-swinging free kick by Angel Mena to put Ecuador in front.
They were up and running, making life difficult for the Eagles, and in the 11th minute, Angel Delgado came close with a sliced shot that went narrowly over the sticks.
Nigeria thought they had a penalty two minutes later when Terem Moffi was fouled in the box as he tried to get on the end of a sweet exchange between Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi, but the referee thought otherwise.
In the 22nd minute, Uzoho did a good job to parry over an angled shot by Isaac Caicedo, and at the other end, Cyriel Dessers could not beat goalkeeper Alexander Domingueze when through on goal.
Nigeria were rampant a minute later, with many touches in the box from a corner, but the ball simply refused to go in.
Simon sent the ball sky-high from a 22-yard free kick in the 37th minute, and two minutes before recess, Dessers wasted another brilliant pass by Alex Iwobi.
In the second period, just as they did against Mexico in Dallas on Saturday, the Super Eagles dominated and created a hatful of chances, but this time failed to click when it mattered.
While keeping the dangerous quartet of Pervis, Caicedo, Sebastian Mendez and Enner Valencia quiet, the Eagles created chance after chance, silencing the wholly Ecuadorian crowd.
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Iwobi, substitute Emmanuel Dennis, Calvin Bassey and Simon were bright and bold, but Dessers wasted a couple of opportunities that would have tied the game.
Next up for the Super Eagles is a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on June 9.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Showbiz
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes conviction
The prosecution relied on several additional witnesses who accused Weinstein of sexual assault to show that his offences followed a recurring pattern.
States
Nigeria Customs Service intercepts 6,240 explosives in Kebbi
The customs boss noted that each dynamite explosive item could destroy a one-storey building.
Politics
Ondo 2024: Akeredolu’s former deputy, Agboola Ajayi, wins PDP ticket
Mr Agboola, a former deputy governor to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, was elected at the PDP’s primary election on Thursday.
Port Harcourt
Burnt Rivers Assembly: Court sets aside arrest warrant against Fubara’s chief of staff
On January 31, the judge issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of part of the Rivers’ House of Assembly.
Politics
Keyamo overreacting, should apologise, lift Dana’s flight suspension: ART
Aviation minister Festus Keyamo has been reprimanded for trying to usurp the authority of the NCAA.
NationWide
Merging Civil Defence with police will worsen Nigeria’s insecurity, FG warned
“It is obvious that persons seeking the merger are ignorant of the roles of NSCDC as a special purpose security vehicle,” a security expert said.