S’Eagles Lose 1-3, Maintain Edge Over Argentina

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, despite missing key players like Captaine Joseph Yobo, Osaze Odemingie, Taye Taiwo, Vincent Enyeama and others, yesterday in Dhaka, Bangladesh, stretched Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina before falling 1-3 to the South Americans.

It was a second leg international friendly put together after the Argentine team suffered a 1-4 reverse against the Eagles in Abuja on June 1.

There was talk of revenge and steamrolling of the Nigerian team by Argentina, who were flabbergasted by the June 1 result in Abuja.

But inspite of going two goals up within a space of two minutes in the first half, a second half revival and push by the Super Eagles made the victory at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka less comfortable than it first appeared.

Captain Messi orchestrated the first two goals scored by Real Madrid’s pair of Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria in the 24th and 26th minutes, respectively.

A goal in the opening minutes of the second half by substitute Chinedu Obasi, with his second touch of the ball signaled a fight back by Nigeria.

It looked as if the Eagles would claw back their deficit from the Argentines, whose second half performance was more withdrawn than their attacking approach in the first, until an own goal by Uwa Echiejile killed off the game for Argentina.

Overall, it was a spirited performance by the Samson Siasia led Super Eagles over a loaded opposition determined to extract vengeance. However, it marked the first time Siasia would lose a match as Super Eagles coach.

Though Nigeria lost the friendly, it was not enough to eclipse the Abuja performance which led to the exit of the then Albiceleste coach.

New Coach Alejandro Sabella will be content with the win, although there will be concerns over the team’s rhythm and inability to impose their will on the game.

Gold Monday