AFCON 2023: Guinea beat Super Eagles 2-0 in Friendly

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a 2-0 loss to Syli National of Guinea in a friendly game played in Abu Dhabi on Monday, December 8.

The game saw Nigeria’s new goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali play while William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika and Chidozie Awaziem were in the starting 11.

Also in the startling line-up were more established stars Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Umar Sadiq and debutant Alhassan Yusuf. Two minutes later Moses Simon floated in a free-kick but Chidozie Awaziem could not connect with a header.

In the 13th minute, Simon had a shot but saw his effort was blocked by the Guinean defence.

In the 14th minute, Guinea shot through Aguibou Camara.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot but Simon’s effort was saved on 20 minutes.

Then Sadiq went close in the 27th minute only to see his header go over the bar.

Three minutes into the second half Awaziem tried but he couldn’t equalize for Nigeria as he was denied by the Guinean keeper.

Guinea then got on the score sheet again as they doubled their lead on 64 minutes thanks to Facinet Conté.

Simon saw his shot saved by the Guinea keeper, and then in the 73rd minute manager Jose Peseiro made three changes with Omeruo, Onyedika and Awaziem going off for Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.

With eight minutes left Simon tried again to make up for his penalty miss but was denied by the Guinean keeper.

On 83 minutes the Super Eagles manager made another set of changes with Joe Aribo replacing Yusuf, Ahmed Musa came in for Chukwueze while Lookman took the place of Simon but the Eagles couldn’t score any goal.

The loss comes after the Nigerian team beat a local club side in Abu Dhabi 12-0 in a friendly game.