NIGERIA DEBUTS NEW COLORS BUT GOES DOIWN 1-2 TO ALGERIA

Oran, Algeria -- Nigeria debuted its Ankara green shirts with white numbers in the glittering lights in Oran where it lost 1-2 to Algeria. The game played in the 40,143 capacity Milould Hafefi Olympic Complex in Oran was enthralling under the night lights as Nigeria's pace challenged the possession game of the Algerians.















Nigeria took a shock 9th minute lead through Terem Moffi who is slowly taking grip of the second striker position beside the #1 striker Victor Osimhen who was absent in Algiers. Moffi is now inching ahead of other numerous challengers for the position alongside Osimhen. Clearly, Coach Peseiro is likely to favor a two striker position going forward. However, for this game he used only Moffi further forward with Iheanacho slightly behind.

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Nigeria took a shock 9th minute lead through Terem Moffi who is slowly taking grip of the second striker position beside the #1 striker Victor Osimhen who was absent in Algiers. Moffi is now inching ahead of other numerous challengers for the position alongside Osimhen.

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Algeria dominated possession after that shock opener but for all their possession football, they found it difficult to slice open the Nigerian back line. It took all of 40 minutes before Algeria found their way through.  A shot was rebounded by the Nigerians  but as a lurking Algerian struck, Frank Onyeka stepped on his foot. The referee promptly pointed to the penalty spot which the Algerians converted to ensure that the game was tied 1-1 going into halftime.

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It took all of 40 minutes before Algeria found their way through.  A shot was rebounded by the Nigerians  but as a lurking Algerian struck, Frank Onyeka stepped on his foot.

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Algeria dominated possession but Nigeria's rapid counters presented problems until after the Algerians went ahead with a vicious long range shot in the 60th minute that evaded Uzoho. That goal was deserved but, in truth, the Nigerian team fought hard and may well have deserved a tie. However, the result of the game was virtually closed out after that goal on the hour. Algeria effectively closed out the game with a string of time wasting maneuvers.


LINE UP:

Francis Uzoho (23) -- Ola Aina (2), Bassey (21), Kevin Akpoguma (13), Sanusi (3) -- Frank Onyeka (4) (84th Onyedika (19)) -- Ademola Lookman (7) (70th Godwin (10)), Alex Iwobi (18), Moses Simon (cpt-15) -- Kelechi Iheanacho (14) (84th Cyriel Dessers (9)), and Terem Moffi (11) (71st Taiwo Awoniyi (17). 



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