It was not the best of starts for new head coach, Jose Peseiro, as the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to El Tri of Mexico in an international friendly game at the AT & T Stadium, Dallas, USA, in the early hours of Sunday, PlayPlay.ng reports.
Cyriel Dessers opened his goals account for the Eagles after drawing them level with a powerful header.
The Super Eagles are now winless against Mexico in six meetings, losing three and drawing three.
Up next for Peseiro’s side is another friendly against Ecuador on June 2.
Also Read – Live Blogging: Mexico Vs Nigeria – International Friendly Match
Mexico bossed the early exchanges as the Super Eagles struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Santiago Gimenez then gave Mexico a deserved lead on 12 minutes as his initial effort from a headed pass hit Uzoho and bounced off him into the net.
Andres Guardado almost doubled Mexico lead as he met a long pass but saw his effort parried away by Uzoho.
Super Eagles’ Innocent Bonke vs El Tri’sAndres Guardado
In the 31st minute Uzoho was called to action again but he made a brilliant save to stop a well struck shot by Guardado.
Before the start of the second half Innocent Bonke went off injured and was replaced by Katsina United’s Faisal Sani.
Mexico continued from where they stopped in the first half and almost doubled their lead early in the second half but Semi Ajayi cleared away a dangerous cross for a corner.
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The Super Eagles drew level on 54 minutes through Dessers whose downward header off a delightful cross from Bassey was too strong for the keeper to hold.
Just two minutes later the Mexicans went 2-1 ahead after Troost-Ekong slammed a cross into his own net.
Terem Moffi should have equalised for the Eagles after receiving the ball inside the box but saw his shot miss the target.
Few minutes later Roberto Alvarado received a pass inside the box but could not keep his shot down.
With six minutes left the Mexico almost extended their lead through Diego Lainez but his low shot took a deflection off Troost-Ekong and went out for a corner.
Super Eagles’ Innocent Bonke against the Mexicans
MATCH STATS
Mexico 2-1 Nigeria
Scorers:
MEX: Santiago Tomas Giminez (12′), Troost-Ekong (OG, 56′)
NGA: Cyriel Dessers (54′)
EL TRI Starting Lineup
12 Rodolfo Cota
3 César Montes
19 Erick Aguirre
7 LUis Romno (Edson Álvarez, 78′),
15 Héctor Moreno
18 Andrés Guardado
23 Jesús Gallardo
16 Fernando Beltran (Orbelin Pineda, 66′)
25 Roberto Alvarado (Diego Lainez, 78′)
20 Rodolfo Pizarro (Erick Gutierrez, 66′)
29 Santiago Tomas Gimenez (Henry Martin, 67′)
SUBS NOT USED:
Carlos Acevedo
Alfredo Talavera
Sebastian Cordova
Marcelo Flores
Erik Lira
Julio Dominguez
Israel Reyes
Johan Vasquez
Jorge Sanchez
Gerardo Arteaga
Coach: Gerardo Martino (Argentina)
SUPER EAGLES Starting Lineup
23.Francis UZOHO (GK) –
20. Chidozie AWAZIEM
5. William TROOST-EKONG Capt.
6. Semi AJAYI
21. Calvin BASSEY
4. Innocent BONKE (7. Faisal SANI, 45′)
10. Joe ARIBO
18. Alex IWOBI
15. Moses SIMON (17. Ishaq RAFIU, 81′)
19. Terem MOFFI (12. Victor MBAOMA,72′)
9. Cyril DESSERS (8. Chiamaka MADU, 81′)
SUBS NOT USED:
1. Adeyinka ADEWALE
16. Olorunleke 0J0
3. Babatunde BELLO
14. Buhari IBRAHIM
Coach: Jose Peseiro (Portugal)
By James Agberebi
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