Nigeria’s Super Eagles were dealt an embarrassing defeat against the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo on Wednesday evening.
Uganda scored from a sloppy Super Eagles defending. Faruku Miya profited from a deflection by Akeem Latifu in the 80th minute to beat a sprawling Vincent Enyeama, who failed to palm away the ball. It was a very bad way to mark his centurion of games for Nigeria.
The Ugandans showed guts and never seemed to be fazed to be playing the former African champions. They got the first freekick of the game when Ogenyi Onazi fouled Godfrey Walusimbi in the 2nd minute of the game.
The Super Eagles’ first real chance to score a goal in the game came in the 5th minute but Anthony Ujah fired his shot straight at the Ugandan keeper, Dennis Onyango. Ahmed Musa’s follow-up header went off target.
There was scare for Nigeria in the 18th minute of the game as a moment of sloppy defending by the Eagles almost cost them dearly via an own goal nearly conceded by Chima Akas. Thankfully it was only a goal-kick.
Dennis Onyango rushed out of his box to clear the ball as Anthony Ujah bears down on goal in the 32nd minute. However the Uyo fans momentarily booed Ujah for losing the ball to his marker six minutes later.
Ahmed Musa chased after a promising pass but collided with Onyango in Uganda goal in the 42nd minute and had to be attended to by the medics as he was writhing in pains. Thankfully he rejoined the game soon afterwards.
The Eagles made some telling changes in the second half of the game. Daniel Amokachi brought in the likes of Simon Moses, Omatsone Aluko, Aaron Samuel, Godfrey Oboabona and Mfon Udoh but it was the addition of Moses that seemed to add spark in the team with his runs at the Ugandan defence from the left side of the Eagles attack.
The Ugandans held on to pull off a deserved victory while the Eagles look forward to their next friendly against South Africa on Sunday.
