Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s Super Eagles could not maintain their winning run in the March international friendlies as thy suffered a 2-0 loss to the Les Aigles of Mali on Tuesday night in Marrakech, reports Prime Business Africa.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Eagles under interim coach Finidi Geroge had beaten Ghana 2-1 on Friday but two goals in each half from El Bilal Toure and Koumba Doumbia ensured that Mali secured their first win over Nigeria in an international friendly since 1975.
The Nigerians, who were runners up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, conceded the first goal in the 18th minute when defender Chidozie Awaziem slipped while trying to clear the ball which Toure pounced on.
Kelechi Iheanacho was the bright spot in the Eagles but saw two of hs goal-bound efforts saved while Moses Simon failed to put away his chance when he was teed up by Alex Iwobi.
Simon was substituted by Finidi for Cyreil Dessers after the Nantes forward pulled up with an injury.
The three-time African champions will next face South Africa and Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
The South Africans drew 3-3 with Algeria in their FIFA international friendly series with Algeria also on Tuesday night.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
