TheCable

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were defeated 2-0 by Guinea in a friendly match ahead of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Moses Simon missed a spotkick earlier in the game as Nigeria suffered a disappointing loss in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Monday.

The Eagles had thumped Al Gharbia FC, a local team based in UAE, 12-0 in a test game on Sunday.

But the team failed to reproduce their high-flying performance against the Guineans, as Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles head coach, named Stanley Nwabali in goal.

Zaidu Sanusi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi-Samuel completed the backline behind debutant Alhassan Yusuf and Rapheal Onyedika.

The front three were Samuel Chukwueze, Simon and Sadiq Umar. Victor Osimhen was on the bench as Victor Boniface was not named in the match squad amid injury reports.

After a brief spell of dominance from Nigeria, the Guineans struck the game’s first goal in the 14th minute through Aguibou Camara.

Six minutes later, Simon failed to convert an opportunity to pull the Eagles level. Sadiq was brought down in the Guinean box, and the referee awarded a penalty for Nigeria.

The resultant kick by Simon was stopped by the Guinean goalkeeper.

Facinet Conte added another goal for Guinea in the 65th minute as Nigeria struggled to find the net throughout the match.

The game concluded the Eagles’ one-week training in Abu Dhabi, and the team will return to Lagos on January 9 before proceeding to Ivory Coast a day later.

The 34th edition of the AFCON is expected to kick off on January 13 and end on February 11.

The Eagles will play their first match against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.