The Super Eagles lost 2-0 to Guinea in their final pre-tournament friendly match ahead of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Jose Peseiro-led side were disappointing at the Bani Yas Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with goals from Aguibou Camara and Facinet Conte sealing the win for the National Elephants.
The Eagles, who thrashed a local Dubai club 12-0 on Sunday, rested a few players from the game, with South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Alhassan Yusuf all named in the starting XI.
FT. NGA 0-2 GUI#LetsDoitAgain #SoarSuperEagles
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 8, 2024
22-year-old Atromitos midfielder Camara opened the scoring in the 15th minute for Guinea. Nigeria had the chance to level the scoring shortly after, but Moses Simon failed to convert his penalty kick after Sadiq Umar was fouled in the opponent’s danger area.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze almost drew Nigeria level in the three minutes from halftime, but his effort went wide off the upright, with Guinea heading into the second half with the lead.
Two minutes into the restart, Chidozie Awaziem’s header was saved by the Guinean goalkeeper, who was in prime form.
Despite mounting pressure from Nigeria, the National Elephants doubled their lead through Conte in the 65th minute. Simon was denied twice again by the Guinea goalie, who was in inspired mode to keep Nigeria at bay.
Monday’s defeat means the Super Eagles have now failed to win each of their last four matches. The Super Eagles will now return to Nigeria on Tuesday for a send-off party organized by the Lagos State government before jetting out to Ivory Coast on Wednesday to begin their hunt for a fourth AFCON title.
They are drawn in Group A alongside Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. Peseiro’s men will take on Equatorial Guinea in their first group game slated for January 14, before facing the Elephants on January 18, and ending with a tie against the Djurtus on January 22 in a rematch of the final Group D game of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
