Izuchukwu OkosiAhead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Monday suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Syli Stars of Guinea in a friendly game played in Abu Dhabi, reports Prime Business Africa.
The team had beaten an amateur side 12-0 about 48 hours earlier after the planned tune-up games against Cape Verde and Burkina Faso were cancelled.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThere was also a chance for Royal Antwerp of Belgium defensive midfielder Alhasan Yusuf to stake a claim in the starting eleven after he was called up to replace the injured Wilfred Ndidi.
Also making an appearance from the kick-off were William Troost-Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Samuel Chukwueze and Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon and Umar Sadiq.
The Eagles enjoyed early possession of the ball in the first half and almost went ahead through Samuel Chukwueze but it was the Guineans that went in the ascendency eventually through Aguibou Camara 14 minutes into play.
Six minutes later, Sociedad striker Sadiq was fouled inside the penalty box but the resultant penalty was missed by Nantes forward Moses Simon.
Central defender, Chidozie Awaziem, who is adept at playing right-back or in defensive midfield had a good chance to restore parity but his effort was gathered by Guinea’s goalkeeper.
The francophone side doubled their lead through Facinet Conté who was making his international debut at the age of 18 years.
Jose Peseiro made three changes in the 73rd minute with Omeruo, Onyedika and Awaziem subbed off for Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Peseiro made three changes with Southampton FC midfielder Joe Aribo replacing Yusuf, Ahmed Musa came in for Chukwueze while Lookman took the place of Simon.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A of this year’s AFCON with host country, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
They open their campaign with a 3 pm kick-off game against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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