A WEAKENED Super Eagles side defeated Mozambique 3-2 today in their second friendly match in Portugal.
The three-time African champions were without a slew of first-choice players in their starting line-up, including Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi, as Jose Peseiro gave opportunities to some fringe players.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho retained his spot despite his howler in Friday’s 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia, while Kenneth Omeruo, Jordan Torunarigha, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika were drafted in. Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was also handed his Super Eagles debut.
It was the underdogs from Southern Africa who took an early lead just six minutes in, but the Super Eagles responded with goals from Terem Moffi, Onyeka and Moses Simon.
Nice striker Moffi, getting a rare Super Eagles start today, struck from inside the box in the 18th minute to pull Nigeria level, and Brentford midfielder Onyeka netted in the 29th minute to complete the turnaround.
Mozambique were reduced to 10 men eight minutes before half-time when Joe Aribo was brought down when the Southampton midfielder was through on goal.
The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty for handball on the stroke of half-time and Simon converted the spot kick to extend the lead.
Despite being down to 10 men, it was Mozambique who scored the only goal in the second half 10 minutes in.
Peseiro strengthened his side after the break with the introduction of Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Calvin Bassey, Iwobi and Umar Sadiq among others but they could not break down the resolute Mozambique rearguard.
Sadiq thought he had increased Nigeria’s lead in the 84th minute but his goal was ruled out for offside as the Super Eagles won by a one-goal margin.
