By John Essien
The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to make a statement against the Algerians in tonight’s friendly match held in Wörthersee Stadium, Klagenfurt – Austria after losing 1 goal to nil to the Desert Foxes.
Borussia Mönchengladbach’s left back Bensebaïni Ramy got the first goal for the North Africans in the 5th minute after he hit a rebounded cross from the corner kick into the back of the net.
Coach Gernot Rohr’s side pushed harder in the last six minutes of the first half; in what seemed like the only duration they came close to scoring but the pressure was not enough to pull an equaliser before the break.
The win only meant the Algerians have again shown their superiority over the three time African champions. The last time both team met was in the semi final of the 2019 African Cup of Nations held in Egypt which the Desert foxes won courtesy of Ryad Mahrez’s added time free kick.
New boys; Zaidu Sanusi, Kevin Akpoguma, Frank Onyeka and Tijani Samson all made their debut for the Super Eagles in tonight’s cracker.
Nigeria will next play Tunisia on Tuesday to conclude their warm up games for their double header AFCON 2021 qualifier against Sierra Leone scheduled for 13th and 17th, November.