Guinea 2-0 Nigeria: Moses Simon and Sadiq Umar fire blanks as Super Eagles fall to Syli National in AFCON 2023 preparatory game

The Super Eagles will be looking to claim the title in Ivory Coast, but they have not inspired much confidence with their results 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat to Guinea in their preparatory game for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for later this month, Soccernet.ng reports

After defeating Dubai club Al Gharib in an unofficial fixture, Nigeria squared off against the Syli National of Guinea in their solitary preparatory fixture for the AFCON.

Coach Jose Peseiro named an unusual starting eleven, with regulars Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi starting from the bench while Victor Boniface was sidelined because of an injury.

The Super Eagles started the fixture well, dominating the play and bossing the possession. However, they were pegged back in the 14th minute via a goal from Aguibou Camara, which made it 1-0 for Guinea.

Nigeria got a lifeline in the 19th minute after Sadiq Umar was fouled in the box. Moses Simon was tasked with taking the penalty, but his strike was saved by the Guinean goalkeeper.

Umar and Samuel Chukwueze had chances to equalise for Nigeria before the end of the first half, but they failed to utilise their chances.

The Super Eagles started the second half well, but they still lacked the cutting edge. Chances fell to Chukwueze and Awaziem, but they failed to convert. Then, just like the first, Guinea struck again through Facinet Conte to make it 2-0 after 64 minutes.

Coach Peseiro introduced Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, and Iwobi into the game in place of Raphael Onyedika, Kenneth Omeruo, and Chidozie Awaziem in the 73rd minute, but the score remained the same.

It eventually ended 2-0 for the Guineans in Abu Dhabi. Peseiro and his boys will look to return to winning ways in their first game against Equatorial Guinea at the Nations Cup.

This post was last modified on January 8, 2024 9:51 pm

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.

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  • My people don done again to. How did you people even come with the name. SUPER GREEN EAGLES. Such a funny thing

  • This is just the beginning of what you should expect in Ivory Coast. I doubt Nigeria's qualification to the second round. I said it in my previous comments that the Super Eagkes is just going there to make the numbers. Names or stars don't win matches. Technical know how, commitment, patrotism and team work are what separate winners and losers.

  • I am highly disappointed with the performance of the Head Coach Jose Peseiro and his Technical crew. Stars do not win games but the the Technical team does. Each time the Super Eagles falls, I feel wounded.
    I have lost confidence in the Head Coach and his team. I would prefer a Nigerian Coach in the mould of Emmanuel Amuneke who is clearly more patriotic and better than Jose Peseiro but has never been tried. To avoid not having high blood pressure I will not watch Super Eagles opening match and infact subsequent matches unless we win our opening game. May God help us.

  • What is happening to our NNF. Does it mean he who higer can not fire. I am disappointed with super eagle you guys are disgreacing us. What you dont know as a player no team work what you people are playing is self football. Wake up and stop destroying your carriars.

  • let's be using super falcons as our men team too na. which one is the spirit of Chelsea in national team

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