training session before the friendly match against Algeria on
October 9, 2020.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have lost 1-0 to African
champions, Algeria in a friendly match played in Klagenfurt,
Austria on Friday night.
Missing four of their regular players, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe
Ayodele-Aribo, Oghenekaro Etebo and marksman Victor Osimhen for
different reasons, Nigeria had to start with an unfamiliar midfield
trio of Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, debutant Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi,
with left back Zaidu Sanusi getting Coach Gernot Rohr’s nod ahead
of regular Jamilu Collins to earn his first cap.
The Fennecs started powerfully and quickly forced a corner kick
in the third minute, which was bundled to safety. Three minutes
later, the African champions got the lead when Ramy Bensebaini
reacted faster to a loose ball from another corner kick.
The goal was actually a reflection of the state of flow of the
game, as the Algerians reacted faster and controlled the ball
better. Iwobi, latching onto the ball as Samuel Chukwueze cut
inside from the right, saw his shot blocked. Okoye saved
brilliantly from Farid Boulaya in the 20th minute, and two minutes
later Alex Iwobi nearly restored parity but his shot from 22 yards
screamed narrowly past Alexandre Oukidja and the far post.
Iwobi again enabled a flow from the middle in the 31st minute
but Samuel Kalu’s shot was wild. Five minutes later, Maduka Okoye
flung himself impressively to the right to parry a free-kick by
Said Benrahma. The impressive Sanusi and Kalu had shots saved and a
Samuel Kalu in-swinger missed everyone in the box as the first half
came to a close.
The Eagles came into the second half with determination to add
more grit to their game, Mikel Agu coming in for Onyeka. On the
hour, Tyronne Ebuehi’s pile-driver from the edge of the box flew
past the goal with Oukidja beaten.
Six minutes from time, Okoye again came up big, tipping away a
tricky lob by substitute Fares. The Eagles got an opportunity to
level at the death, but substitute Kelechi Iheanacho’s dipping
free-kick from the right flew narrowly over the sticks.
Left-back Zaidu Sanusi, right back Kevin Akpoguma and
midfielders Frank Onyeka and Samson Tijani all won their first caps
and will look to add to these when the Eagles take on Tunisia in an
der Glan on Tuesday.
Friday’s encounter was the first ever friendly game between both
countries, as all their previous 21 games were at competitive
level.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/10/10/friendly-super-eagles-lose-1-0-to-african-champions-algeria/