The Super Eagles overcame Mozambique 3-2 on Monday, the Nigerian team’s first friendly victory under portuguese manager Jose Peseiro
Mozambique took the lead seven minutes into the game through Geny Catamo, creating new concerns that Nigeria’s winless streak in friendly games may continue.
Terem Moffi of OGC Nice struck from close range 13 minutes later to restore parity for the Super Eagles at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira in Albufeira, Portugal.
It was no surprise that Nigeria seized the lead, as they continued to command the majority of the play. At the half-hour mark, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and shot home! Eagles win 2-1!
Despite the fact that Mozambique were relegated to ten men after a shirt pull on goal-bound Joe Aribo in the 37th minute, Nigeria needed a few more minutes to reach the third week.
After the Mambas of Mozambique’s player handled Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s free-kick, Simon Moses stepped up to take it.
His penalty kick sailed off the bottom right corner, giving Nigeria its third goal of the day. As Jose Peseiro’s charges took a comfortable lead into the locker room, the referee immediately blew the half-time whistle.
When the second half resumed, both teams attempted to score another goal. But it was Mozambique who won. To close the gap, Faisal Abdul Bangal beat Francis Uzoho at his near goal.
Nigeria later made some changes in the final portions of the match, including Sadiq Umar. Real Sociedad’s striker made an immediate impression. He thought he scored in the 70th and 84th minutes, but his goals were ruled offside.
The Super Eagles held off the East Africans with four minutes of added time after 90 minutes to record their first friendly victory since a 1-0 victory over Egypt in March 2019.
Nigeria had played fifteen friendlies between then and Monday’s game. During that time, they lost seven games and drew eight.
Three days ago, they were on the verge of breaking their dismal streak when Mohammed Kanno’s deflected freekick – the game’s final kick – broke Nigerian hearts.
Following the doubleheader, Nigeria’s focus will shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles will play Lesotho first, at home, on November 13, 2023, before travelling to Zimbabwe to face the Warriors three days later.
