The Teranga Lions of Senegal defeated three-time African Champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles 1-0 in their final friendly game before the commencement of the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this week.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye capitalised on a defensive error to score what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 20th minute of the match played in Ismailia, camp base of the Super Eagles ahead of the biennial tournament.
Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr was able to call on China-based forward Odion Ighalo in the starting lineup after the former Watford man recovered from an injury copped early last month while Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi who was rested against Zimbabwe last weekend also started the game.
Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo, a second half substitute went closest for the Super Eagles when his free kick came off the cross bar late in the game but the 2013 African champions ended a second successive game without a goal; after a 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe last weekend.
Nigeria will open their 2019 AFCON campaign with a Group B clash with Burundi in Alexandria on Saturday while the Senegalese Lions will face Tanzania in their opening Group C game in Cairo next Sunday.
Nigeria’s starting 11
Daniel Akpeyi, Samuel Kalu, Jamilu Collins, Kenneth Omeruo, William Ekong, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Odion Ighalo
Substitutions: Collins (Ola Aina), Ogu (Oghenekaro Etebo), Chukwueze (Henry Onyekuru), Iwobi (Moses Simon), Ighalo (Victor Osimhen) and Kalu (Chidozie Awaziem).
