THE Super Eagles lost their first match under new head coach Jose Peseiro, going down 2-1 to Mexico in a friendly in Dallas, Texas in the early hours of this morning.
The Super Eagles were without several key players and the Mexicans took advantage as Santiago Gimenez struck and William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal to give them the tight win.
Feyenoord striker Cyril Dessers scored Nigeria’s only goal on his return to the national team.
The packed AT&T Stadium venue of the match was fully behind the Mexicans against the Super Eagles who started with a 3-5-2 formation.
Francis Uzoho was in goal, supported by three centre-backs Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem and Semi Ajayi.
Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey were the starting wing-backs, while Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi and Innocent Bonke were in midfield.
Dessers and Terem Moffi were the starting strikers that completed Peseiro’s first line-up as Nigeria head coach.
The Eagles were without the likes of Maduka Okoye, Leon Balogun, Zaidu Sanusi, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, but they held their own against the Mexicans.
Mexico were in control in the opening stages of the encounter and took the lead after only 13 minutes as Cruz Azul forward Gimenez pounced, slotting home past a stranded Uzoho.
Cheered on by 52,000 fans in the ground, the Mexicans piled on the pressure in search of more goals but the Super Eagles defence held firm and the first half ended 1-0.
The Eagles took the game to Mexico after the break and they were rewarded eight minutes into the second half when Feyenoord striker Dessers headed home Bassey’s brilliant cross.
The Mexicans were back in front two minutes after however, as Troost-Ekong unfortunately swept the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear it.
Peseiro brought on home-based forwards Ishaq Kayode of Rivers United and Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma in the second half, but despite their best efforts, Mexico recorded their third victory over Nigeria at senior level.
The Super Eagles had eight shots on goal to Mexico’s 12, with Uzoho making four saves.
Peseiro and his men are scheduled to fly to New Jersey later today, set to face Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday.
NIGERIA’S STARTING LINE-UP
Francis Uzoho; William Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Semi Ajayi; Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey; Joe Aribo, Innocent Bonke, Alex Iwobi; Cyril Dessers, Terem Moffi.
