Nigeria Remains Winless in 7 games v Mexico
Texas, USA -- Nigeria remained winless against Mexico in seven games after a 1-2 defeat before a large crowd in an international friendly. It was an improvement from a 0-4 pasting that Nigeria received in the last outing between both teams. But the improvement was in the margin but the outcome was similar. This time, Nigeria suited mostly its European professionals and Mexico did not have all its top boys but the result was still a Mexican victory.
Nigeria's Coach Jose Paseiro, thus, began his stint with a 0-1 slate and clearly he has seen some changes that he may make after watching these crop of players in training and game situation. Although, he suited up some locally-based Nigerian players, the European based crop did not exactly wow him. However, this is not to state that there were no bright spots. Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Francis Uzoho showed that they have something to contribute going forward. However, with Awaziem injured and embarrassingly slowed down, the performance of Skipper William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi must surely lead to worries going forward.
________________
Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Francis Uzoho showed that they have something to contribute going forward. However, with Awaziem injured and embarrassingly slowed down, the performance of Skipper William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi must surely lead to worries going forward.
________________
The opening 20 minutes appeared to be a game between men and boys as the Mexicans tossed the ball around with Nigeria running from pillar to post with little positive results in terms of possession. That Mexico was only 1-0 up after Ekong lost his man in a low cross was due to Mexico's failure to be more clinical. Nigeria was simply living on fumes and appeared decidedly second rate.
However, a switch to four at the back appeared to change Nigeria's fortunes allowing them to share ball possession. In fact, Nigeria was the team on the ascendancy in the opening ten minutes of the second half. It paid off after 53 minutes when Bassey, as energetic as ever, went down the left and suddenly swung a ball in and Dessers rose above the defense to nod the ball into the net. It was 1-1 but only for three minutes. Why? Ekong gave the lead back to the Mexicans when he cluttered into a cross and deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper.
________________________
Nigeria was the team on the ascendancy in the opening ten minutes of the second half. It paid off after 53 minutes when Bassey, as energetic as ever, went down the left and suddenly swung a ball in and Dessers rose above the defense to nod the ball into the net.
________________________
It was a difficult mountain, then, for Nigeria. Too steep, too difficult, and too spent to mount a recovery at that point. Instead, Manager Paseiro realizing that the game was virtually over brought on his subs, mostly players playing domestically in Nigeria. But it was notable that in less than 10 minutes, Ishaq Rafiu showed some glimpses that he may have been worth his call up. Two times he posed a real danger for the Mexican defense but the fact is that the result of the game clearly defined the better team on the day.
LINE-UP
Francis Uzoho (23)20 — Chiedozie Awaziem (20)28, William Troost-Ekong (cpt-5)61, Semi Ajayi (6)18 -- Moses Simon (15)50 (82nd Chiamaka Madu (8)1), Joseph Aribo (10)18, Innocent Bonke (20)4*(46th Sanni Faisal (7)1) Calvin Bassey (18)2 -- Alex Iwobi (18)56 – Cyriel Dessers (9)2 (84th Victor Mbaoma (12)1), Terem Moffi (19)4 (82nd Ishaq Rafiu (17)1).
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
January 13, 1995 -- Riyadh, S-ARABIA -- NIGERIA 1 Mexico 1
June 24, 1995 -- Dallas, USA -- NIGERIA 1 Mexico 2
October 14, 2007 -- Juarez, MEXICO -- NIGERIA 2 Mexico 2
May 31, 2013 -- Houston, USA -- NIGERIA 2 Mexico 2
March 5, 2014 -- Atlanta, USA -- NIGERIA 0 Mexico 0
July 3, 2021 -- Los Angeles, USA -- NIGERIA 0 Mexico 4
Comments
Post a Comment