Reigning African Champions Algeria on Friday night edged Nigeria 1-0 in the first-ever international friendly match between both countries decided in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Algerian left back Rami Besenbaini bundled the ball home in the sixth minute after his initial header to a corner kick had fallen back to him after ricocheting off teammate Andy Delort.
It turned out to be the only goal in the high octane friendly encounter played behind closed doors at the Worthersee Stadion.
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Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, making his full debut for the Super Eagles did well to smother a couple of attempts in the first half, including a trademark Riyad Mahrez free kick while Leon Balogun shone brilliantly as the Oyibo Wall was restored by head coach Gernot Rohr at centre back.
Returning right back Tyrone Ebuehi put in a decent shift while FC Porto left back Zaidu Sanusi, making his national team debut impressed also on the left.
Rohr was also able to hand debuts in the second half to Germany-born defender Kevin Akpoguma and Golden Eaglets class of 2019 captain, Samson Tijani. The latter replaced Alex Iwobi who also had a decent game for the Eagles.
In spite of the clamour by Nigerian youths on social media, the Super Eagles failed to make any symbolic gesture to lend support to their fans currently in protests across the country to end the actions of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Nigerian Police Force (NPF) which has become a menace to the youths.
Friday’s loss makes it five friendly matches without a win for the Eagles while it extended the unbeaten streak of Algeria, coached by former international Djamel Belmadi to nineteen matches.
Nigeria will next face Tunisia in a friendly game next Tuesday, also in Austria, but at the Jacques Leman Stadium.
