The Super Eagles of Nigeria witness first draw after a massive win in its last fixture against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo, AkwaIbom State npflupdates.com reports.
The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Saudi Arabia’s senior men’s national football team on Friday. And that’s the team’s first outing after qualifying for the 2023 African Cup Of Nations AFCON, in Ivory Coast next year.
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It was a keenly contested fixture that saw both sides battling for possessions in the first half. And at halftime, the international friendly ended in a stalemate.
FT in Portimao: Saudi Arabia 2-2 Nigeria #soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain pic.twitter.com/mNwnkI5fPJ
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 13, 2023
The Asian giants however broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through an Al-Faraj strik; and that was after so many goal-scoring opportunities were missed by the Super Eagles attackers.
Nigeria after 13 minutes from the first goal, equalized through an owngoal from a Saudi Arabian player. Tactical changes by coach Jose Peseiro, that saw Kelechi Iheanacho got introduced paid off, as the Leicester City’s forward, struck nicely to give Nigeria the lead for the first time in the game in the 81st minute.
Super Eagles fail to secure first win after AFCON qualification
When Nigerian fans were about to go wild in jubilation, Saudi Arabia’s set-piece taker Mohammed scored from a free-kick in the stoppage time, to restore parity.
Two important things can be taken away from the match, especially now that Nigeria will be aiming for it’s fourth title in Cote d’Ivoire.
First, Nigeria’s attacking department needs to buckle up and start converting every chances they get. Had it been one-third of their chances against Saudi Arabia were converted, it’d have been a disastrous outing the Arabians.
Second, and arguably the most important, is the goalkeeping department. A state of emergency has to be declared for the Super Eagles goalkeeping department. First choice Goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho had an awful evening, after conceding an easy goal today.
The goalkeeper trainers at the national team needs to as a matter of urgency find a capable hand, that can take charge of the goal during the AFCON.
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“Many options are there to be exploited, Noah Atubolu, Sebastian Osigwe, Tobias Lawal, Maduka Okoye, Ojo Olorunleke, Adebayo Adeleye and others should be evaluated and see what they can do,” NPFLUpdates in-house analyst Mr Best said.
The leadership of NFA should if necessary force the coach to invite goalkeeper Sabastine Osigue and other goalkeepers within Nigeria domestic league and abroad to fight for shirt in the goalkeeping department.If Uzohor and Okoye are the only options going to the nations cup,sorry Nigeria will not exceed the Quater finals.In addition, what is the essence of inviting new players during friendly matches and not using them. Furthermore,The coach need to inject new players like Nathan and others to that team to make it more competitive. Also,I have not seen that chemistry that translates into interchange of passes within the opponent vital areas. The decision making of our players like chukwueze is also very poor