- Praises players for acquitting themselves well
- Ecuador nick 1-0 win in US friendly
- 2023 AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone holds June 9
Despite suffering their second defeat within five days, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick says there are positive takes from the Super Eagles’ two-match tour of the United States.
Pinnick, who spoke against the backdrop of losing two international friendlies on the bounce, said; “I am happy and I can say that we fulfilled our objectives of restoring the spirit of the Super Eagles following the failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
“We lost both games against Mexico and Ecuador narrowly, but we were up for it and never finished on the back foot. The boys gave a good account of themselves in both games.
According to him; “Given the number of first-team players that were not available, we have to praise the boys who showed up here and gave their all”, adding; “They have given us confidence going into the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The despondency is over and we can now march forward in a sure-footed manner.”
The Eagles lost 1-0 to Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, making it a back-to-back loss under new coach Jose Peseiro and his first assistant, former Nigerian international, George Finidi.
The 25,000–capacity Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey was packed to overflowing as the Ecuadorians started the game in a rampant manner, advertising silky touches and manifesting so much energy and invention.
The South Americans, who are going to their fourth FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar in November, scored after only three minutes as Pervis Estupinan was left unmarked in the box by the Super Eagles while defending a freekick from the edge of the box.
The Villareal defender took maximum advantage to nod home from close range. It turned out to be the only goal of the match and thus inflicted a second straight loss on the Eagles under the newly hired Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro.
Their first loss of the American tour about five days ago was a 1-2 to Mexico and interestingly, Coach Peseiro made only one change to the squad that lost to Mexico, giving a rare start to Katsina United’s defender, Sani Faisal, in place of injured Innocent Bonke in the midfield.
Unfortunately, the Eagles’ greatest undoing was their inability to convert the numerous chances created throughout the duration of the match.
Nigeria’s next match will be against Sierra Leone in Abuja on June 9 to kick start the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualification series.
