On Sunday,11 January 2014, the Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 0-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in an international friendly played in Abu Dhabi.
The home-based Super eagles,managed temporarily by Daniel Amokachi did give a good account of themselves as they stood up tall against the star-studded Ivorian team heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
The team held the Ivoirians for the better part of the game but caved in the 84th minute when former Chelsea-star, Salamon Kalou, broke the deadlock with a smooth finish, following a mistake from Rabiu Ali who gifted Ivory Coast their winner. His mistake gave Cheick Tiote the chance to run into the Nigerian defence and cross for Salomon Kalou to score for the Elephants in the 84th minute.
Coach Amokachi handed starting roles to the duo of Stanley Dimgba and the Nigeria League top scorer for last season, Mfon Udoh. But the two players, hard as they tried, could not find the back of the net.
With the Ivorian friendly over, the Nigeria team on tour of United Arab Emirates will hope they can end on a high with a win against the Falcons of Sudan on January 17.
Source:All Africa
