– Muideen Adeleke
Nigeria lost her second consecutive International friendly in the early hours of today, as Jose Peseiro era began as the gaffer of the Super Eagles.
The Nigerian senior national football team within the space of five days at Red Bull Arena, New York, lost by a lone goal scored in the first half of the encounter.
The only goal came in the third minute of the game via a setpiece which the defence failed to deal with.
The Super Eagles had a couple of chances in the first half but were unproductive in the final third.
Nigeria created the better scoring opportunities in the first half with Terem Moffi controversially denied a penalty in the 13th minute as he appeared to be caught by the Ecuadorian goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles had another controversial penalty call on the stroke of half time after but the referee looked away.
Although the second half saw the Nigerian players up their game, poor finishing denied the three-time African Champions the opportunity of salvaging at least a point, from the game.
Iwobi, Bassey and Simon were constant pressure against the Ecuadorian defense but the Super Eagles’ profligacy became their biggest albatross on the night.
Uzoho made a late save to deny the South Americans a second goal.
Jose Peseiro must be encouraged with the display which was much-improved and better organised in comparison to the Mexico game.
The Super Eagles will head to Abuja where they will prepare for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and São
