The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost for the second consecutive game to the Desert Foxes of Algeria as Ramy Bensebaini’s header in the fifth minute proved to be the difference on the night.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach center back rose highest from a Said Benrahman’s corner-kick, an inswinger that left the Nigerian defense in sixes and sevens, with Bensebaini putting the Algerian’s in front.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr stuck with a familiar back-four, with the exception of debutant Zaidu Sanusi at Left back. The famed “Oyinbo Wall” pairing of Leon Balogun and William Ekong was at the center of defense.
The Eagles resorted to creating half-chances in the match as the midfield trident of Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi struggled to assert their authority on the game.
The closest they came to getting the equalizer came in the 41st minute, when Sanusi’s effort got saved at the near post.
Heading into the second half, Rohr made a couple of changes, with Samuel Kalu and Onyeka making way for Moses Simon and Mikel Agu. Agu’s impact was immediately felt, as he added a bit of flexibility in the middle of the park.
The Algerians kept knocking on the door with Brentford’s forward Benrahman causing a menace down the left flank.
“This is a very good test for us. There are positives to pick from a tough game like this. Now we have to recover well and start to plan for the next game on Tuesday against another tough team.” Rohr said after the game.
Nigeria will now take on Tunisia on next Tuesday in their final warm-up game ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
