Nigeria Super Eagles lost 1-2 to Mexico in an international friendly on Sunday morning as the team begin life under new head coach Jose Peseiro.
Peseiro was confirmed as the new handler of the three times former African champions this month and the Portuguese got his baptism of fire in Texas when they faced 2022 World Cup bound Mexico at the AT&T Stadium.
Playing in a 352 formation, the Eagles were on the back foot for majority of the opening fifteen minutes and it was no surprise when Mexico went in front through Santiago Gimenez in the 13th minute after a moment of dozy defending by Semi Ajayi and captain William Troost-Ekong.
The El Tri almost totally dominated the first half and could have added to their goals tally but for goalkeeper Francis Uzoho who pulled off a couple of outstanding saves, one from Mexican captain Andres Guardado.
The Eagles grew more into the second half and levelled matters in the 54th minute courtesy of Cyriel Dessers’ header which was fumbled into the net by Mexican goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.
Nigeria were only level for just two minutes though as Troost-Ekong then inexplicably diverted a cross into his own net to hand the advantage back to the CONCACAF giants.
eseiro gave debuts to four Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the second half. Sani Faisal who came on at half time for Innocent Bonke, Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma as well as Rivers United duo Ishaq Rafiu and Chiamaka Madu all gave good accounts of themselves.
Up next for the Super Eagles is another friendly game against another FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 participant Ecuador in New Jersey.
Nigeria lineup vs Mexico:
Uzoho; Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi; Moses Simon (Ishaq Rafiu 80′), Innocent Bonke (Faisal Sani 46′) Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey; Cyriel Dessers (Chiamaka Madu 80′) Terem Moffi (Victor Mbaoma 72′)
