Super eagles records second loss under new coach. Read full details!

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Apr 29, 2022
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The Super Eagles were defeated 0-1 by Ecuador in their second consecutive international friendly on Thursday in New Jersey, the United States.

According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), the Eagles barely lost their first encounter on Saturday.

After captain William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal to give Mexico a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Dallas, Texas, he expressed his disappointment.

The 25,000-seat Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, was packed to the rafters as the Ecuadorians dominated the first half, displaying smooth touches and a high level of intensity and ingenuity.

Watch the highlights:


Gustavo Alfaro's team is playing in its fourth FIFA World Cup final, and they were in great spirits as they lined up against the Eagles' hastily prepared squad.

The South Americans will play hosts Qatar in the opening match of this year's FIFA World Cup championships on November 21, as well as Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A.

In place of the injured Bonke Innocent, newly-appointed Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro made one change from Sunday's loss to Mexico, playing Katsina United midfielder Sani Faisal.

On the other hand, Ecuador took the lead after only three minutes when Villareal defender Pervis Estupián outfoxed the Nigerian defense and converted an in-swinging free kick by Angel Mena to put Ecuador ahead.

They were up and running on the natural turf, making life difficult for the Super Eagles, and in the 11th minute, Angel Delgado came close with a sliced shot that went just wide of the post. Two minutes later, Terem Moffi was tripped in the area as he attempted finish a wonderful interchange between Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi. Nigeria thought they had a penalty, but the referee saw otherwise.

Uzoho saved an angled effort by Isaac Caicedo in the 22nd minute, and Cyriel Dessers couldn't get past goalkeeper Alexander Domingueze when he was through on goal at the other end.

A minute later, Nigeria were rampant in a melee, with so many touches in the box from a corner, but the ball refused to go in.

In the 37th minute, Moses Simon fired the ball skyward from a 22-yard free kick, and two minutes before halftime, Dessers squandered another great pass by Alex Iwobi.

The Super Eagles dominated the second period, much like they did against Mexico in Dallas on Saturday, and created a slew of opportunities, but they couldn't connect when it mattered.

The Eagles generated chance after chance, silencing the entirely Ecuadorian crowd while keeping the deadly quintet of Pervis, Caicedo, Sebastian Mendez, and Enner Valencia quiet.

The likes of Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Emmanuel Dennis, Calvin Bassey, and Simon shone well, although Dessers squandered a handful of chances that could have tied the score.

The Super Eagles will play Sierra Leone in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on June 9 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. (NAN)
 

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