Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s Super Eagles Monday evening defeated a 10-man Mozambique side 3-2 in their second international friendly at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeiraa, Portugal, 72 hours after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia at the same venue.
Jose Peseiro’s team had not won in 15 consecutive international friendlies prior to Monday’s slim win, drawing seven and losing eight.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Eagles head coach made nine changes from the starting line that faced Saudi Arabia on Friday with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kenneth Omeruo, Jordan Torunarigha, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Joe Aribo and Terem Moffi joining goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho and Bright Onyemaechi in the starting lineup.
Mozambique scored in the 6th minute through Sporting Lisbon forward Geny Catamo who poked the ball home from a low cross to beat a badly positioned Francis Uzoho in goal.
Terem Moffi restored parity in the 19th minute when he slotted from a rebound as the Mozambique goalkeeper dropped a clanger under pressure.
Raphael Onyedika made it 2-1 for Nigeria from a long range shot with half an hour played.
The Mambas were then reduced to 10 men when Edmilson Dove were red-carded in the 38th minute for a foul on Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo who bore down on goal.
Nantes forward Moses Simon extended Nigeria’s lead just before the half time break from the penalty spot.
Faisal Bangal reduced the arrears in the 55th minute to set up a nervous finish to the game which came 1,665 days since the Super Eagles last won in a friendly – on 26 March 2019 – a 1-0 win over Egypt at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba, Delta state.
The Super Eagles’ next round of games are November’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
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.
