Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost their second friendly match in the United States in the early hours of Friday after a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, reports Prime Business Africa.
The Nigeria national team who were beaten 2-1 by Mexico five days ago in Dallas have not won a game in five months and were keen to get the first win under new head coach Jose Peseiro.
However the three-time African champions conceded in the 3rd minute through Villarreal’s Pervis Estupinan who evaded the attention of close markers Chidozie Awaziem and Sani Faisal.
The Eagles were denied two penalty chances albeit Awaziem redeemed himself moments after the goal to outmuscle Estupinan who bore down on goal to double the Ecuadorians’ lead.
Eagles keeper Francis Uzoho produced an elastic save to keep away a shot from Angel Mena that could have seen the ball nestle at the back of the net.
Alex Iwobi produced a, lovely pass into the path of Cyreil Dessers but the latter missed a glit-edge chance to restore parity.
Calvin Bassey created two delightful moments in the game as his crossed into the opoenents half were not converted by the duo of Dessers and Terem Moffi.
Joe Aribo saw a chance come to nought when his shot in the 62nd minute was gathered by Alexander Dominguez in goal for Ecuador.
The Eagles’ attention will now be focused on the upcoming 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe on June 9th and 13th.
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