Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Lose Again, Bow To Ecuador In New Jersey

The Super Eagles were on the losing side again after going down 1-0 to Ecuador in their second friendly game played in New Jersey, United States in the early hours of Friday.

An early goal by Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan handed new Eagles coach Jose Peseiro his second defeat.

The Eagles made only one change from the starting line-up against Mexico, following the introduction of Faisal Sani for the injured Innocent Bonke.

The three-time AFCON champions have now gone five straight games without a win, losing three and drawing two.

Up next for Peseiro and his team is the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

After a bright start, Ecuador took the lead just three minutes thanks to Estupinan who ran onto a swung-in setpiece unmarked before heading past a stranded Francis Uzoho.

In the 11th minute, Ecuador almost doubled their lead through Angel Mena but his attempted lob hit the roof of the net.

The Eagles had a shout for a penalty in the 14th after Terem Moffi looked to have been brought down after rounding the Ecuadorian keeper but the referee blew for a goal kick.

Ecuador continued to create chances and almost went 2-0 up following a brilliant curler from Jose Cifuentes but Uzoho tipped the goal-bound strike over for a corner.

In the 30th minute, Semi Ajayi had the Eagle’s best chance but saw his header saved on the line by the Ecuadorian keeper.

Before the commencement of the second half, the Eagles made two chances with Ola Aina and Emmanuel Dennis replacing Sani and Chidozie Awaziem.

Just three minutes into the second half it was Ecuador who went close for a second goal but Uzoho got down well to stop a low shot.

In the 50th minute, Moffi tried a low strike on the edge of the box but the opponent keeper made a good save.

Emmanuel Dennis should have drawn the Eagles level on 57 minutes following a superb cross from Bassey but he blazed his effort over the bar from close range.

Bassey went close for the Eagles on 62 minutes with a long-range shot which Ecuador’s keeper saved.

A few minutes later Dessers was played through on goal and came face to face with the keeper but couldn’t go past him.

In the 69th minute, Moses Simon floated in a corner but Ajayi’s header landed on the roof of the net.

The Eagles continued to push for the equalizer and were almost rewarded on 80 minutes as Dessers met a corner with his head but saw his effort go inches wide.

Ecuador had a chance to double their lead in the 82nd minute but Uzoho pulled a great save before the rebound was blazed over the bar.

With two minutes left Uzoho pulled another great save as he got down quickly to palm away a low shot.

MATCH STATS

Ecuador 1-0 Nigeria

Scorer: 

ECU: Pervis Estupinan  (3′)

ECUADOR Starting Lineup 

22 Alexander Dominguez – GK (Yellow card, 80′)

7 Pervis Estupinan

2 Felix Torres

17  Angelo Preciado (Byron Castillo, 46′)

3 Piero Hincapie

20  Jhegson Mendez

21 Jose Cifuentes ( Dixon Arroyo, 86′)

23 Moises Caicedo (Xavier Arreaga, 86′)

15 Angel Mena (Gonzalo Plata, 59′)

13 Enner Valencia (Jeremy Sarmiento, 71′)

9 Leonardo Campana (Michael Estrada, 60′)

SUBS NOT USED:

1 Hernan Galindez

12 Wellington Ramirez

4  Robert Arboleda

10 Djorkaeff Reasco

18 Diego Palacios

8 Alexander Alvarado

Coach: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)

SUPER EAGLES Starting Lineup 

23 Francis Uzoho

20 Chidozie Awaziem (Ola Aina, 46′)

5 William Troost-Ekong

6 Semi Ajayi

21 Calvin Bassey

3  Faisal Sani (Emmanuel Dennis, 46)

10  Joe Aribo

18 Alex Iwobi

15 Moses Simon

19 Terem Moffi (Victor Mbaoma, 85′)

9 Cyriel Dessers

SUBS NOT USED:

16 Olorunleke Ojo

8 Chiamaka Madu

17 Ishaq Rafiu

1 Adeyinka Adewale

14 Buhari Ibrahim

3 Babatunde Bello

Coach: Jose Peseiro  (Portugal)