Eagles Fall to Syli Nationale in AFCON 2023 Friendly

Femi Solaja

Super Eagles who are due to arrive in Lagos today from their training tour of Abu Dhabi, lost their final friendly game 2-0  to Guinea’s Syli Nationale.

The match was their last preparatory match to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicking off this weekend in Côte d’Ivoire.

After defeating Dubai club Al Gharib in an unofficial fixture on Sunday, Eagles were handed their reality check before heading out to the continental showpiece in the Ivorian capital city.

Coach Jose Peseiro named an unusual starting XI, with regulars Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi starting from the bench while Victor Boniface was sidelined because of an injury.

The Super Eagles started the fixture well, dominating the play and bossing the possession. 

However, they were pegged back in the 14th minute via a goal from Aguibou Camara, which made it 1-0 for Guinea.

Nigeria got a lifeline in the 19th minute after Sadiq Umar was fouled in the box. Moses Simon was tasked with taking the penalty, but his strike was saved by the Guinean goalkeeper.

Umar and Samuel Chukwueze got chances to equalise for Nigeria before the end of the first half, but they failed to utilise their chances.

The Super Eagles started the second half well, but they still lacked the cutting edge. Chances fell to Chukwueze and Awaziem, but they failed to convert. Then, just like the first, Guinea struck again through Facinet Conte to make it 2-0 after 64 minutes.

Coach Peseiro introduced Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, and Iwobi into the game in place of Raphael Onyedika, Kenneth Omeruo, and Chidozie Awaziem in the 73rd minute, but the score remained the same.

It eventually ended 2-0 to the Guineans in Abu Dhabi. Peseiro and his lads will look to return to winning ways in their first game against Equatorial Guinea at the Nations Cup a day after the opening game.