The Super Eagles, in their brand-new Nike jerseys, took the lead but still lost 2-1 to Algeria tonight in a friendly match in Oran.
Terem Moffi shot the Nigerians ahead in the first half before the hosts came back with one goal in each half.
It is the third straight victory for the Algerians over Nigeria after a 2-1 success in the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and a 1-0 win in a friendly in Austria in 2020.
It appeared as if the Super Eagles were on course to earning a first win over Algeria since 2016 when Moffi fired them ahead in the ninth minute.
The in-form Lorient forward slipped in behind the Algeria defence and slotted home the rebound after Aissa Mandi failed to clear his lines.
It would have been 2-0 to the Super Eagles in the 29th minute but Ademola Lookman’s tap-in was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
There was no Video Assistant Referee but replays showed that it was a good goal that should have stood.
Algeria felt their way back into the game after almost going 2-0 down and they were level three minutes before half-time.
Their captain, Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, scored from the penalty spot after one was awarded for Frank Onyeka’s mistimed challenge in the Super Eagles box.
The Super Eagles were underwhelming in the second half and the more cohesive Algerians deservedly took the lead just after the hour mark.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho punched out a corner kick and the ball was worked to Youcef Atal all of 35 yards out.
The Nice midfielder unleashed a shot from that long distance and it flew into the net past Uzoho, who should have done better.
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro did not make any changes until Algeria’s second goal and his introduction of Taiwo Awoniyi, Godwin Saviour, Cyriel Dessers and Raphael Onyedika made no difference as the Nigerian side had an under-par second period.
The Super Eagles starting line-up had Uzoho in goal, with Calvin Bassey, Kevin Akpoguma, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey in defence.
Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi were in central midfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Moffi, Ademola Lookman and captain Moses Simon were in attack.
