THE SUPER Eagles were on Monday brought down to earth by Guinea’s Syli Nationale after they lost 0-2 in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) warm-up game.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the international friendly was played behind closed doors at the Bani Yas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Super Eagles had walloped Al Gharbia FC, a local team based in Dubai 12-0 in a warm-up game on Sunday.
Expectations were high that the team would give a good account of themselves following the superlative performance.
Coach Jose Peseiro gave goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and midfielder Alhassan Yusuf their Super Eagles debut, while Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was rested as a strikers’ crisis has now hit the team.
Both Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho are battling to be fit for the AFCON with barely a week to their first game in Abidjan.
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Victor Boniface picked up a muscular injury in training, while Iheanacho is sweating to be fit at his English club Leicester City.
Peseiro departed from the 4-4-2 formation he has favoured more recently to employ a 4-3-3 formation.
The formation had Chidozie Awaziem and Raphael Onyedika as pivots in midfield and Alhassan in an advanced attacking role, while Sadiq Umar led the strike force.
Super Eagles ended the first half a goal down after they fell behind in the 14th minute, when Guinea opened scoring through Greece-based midfielder Aguibou Camara.
Moses Simon failed to draw Nigeria level in the 20th minute, when the Guinea goalkeeper saved his penalty kick.
This was after Sadiq Umar was brought down inside the opponent’s box.
Both the Real Sociedad striker and Samuel Chukwueze had opportunities to restore parity, but failed to convert their chances.
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Awaziem was denied a goal by the impressive Guinean goalkeeper at the restart as Nigeria began to chase the game.
In spite the pressure to equalise, it was Guinea who doubled their lead in the 64th minute through Bastia striker, Facinet Conte.
Peseiro freshened the attack late on in the encounter, introducing Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman and Ahmed Musa in place of Alhassan, Chukwueze and Simon.
But the substitutes failed to make any impact as the Guineans held on for a hard-fought 2-0 win.
The Super Eagles are expected to leave for Lagos on Tuesday where they would be hosted by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos in a special dinner. The three-time champions are expected to depart for Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday to participate in the 34th AFCON finals starting on Saturday. (NAN)
