Second defeat for Peseiro as Eagles fall to Ecuador

Alex Iwobi being challenged by Ecuadorian defender in Friday morning international friendly match, which the Super Eagles lost 1-0 in New Jersey

• Players Gave Good Account Of Themselves, Says Pinnick

For the second time in five days, the Super Eagles suffered defeat in an international friendly match, losing 1-0 to Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, in the early hours of yesterday. It was a back-to-back loss under new coach Jose Peseiro and his first assistant, George Finidi.

The 25,000 –capacity Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey was packed to overflowing as the Ecuadorians started the game in rampant manner, advertising silky touches and manifesting so much energy and invention.

The South Americans, who are going to their fourth FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar in November, scored after only three minutes as Pervis Estupinan was left unmarked in the box by the Super Eagles while defending a freekick from the edge of the box. The Villareal defender took maximum advantage to nod home from close range. It turned out to be the only goal of the match.

The Super Eagles thus suffered a second straight loss under the newly hired Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro, having lost their first of the American tour five days ago 1-2 to Mexico.

Peseiro made only one change to the squad that lost to Mexico, giving a rare start to Katsina United’s defender, Sani Faisal, in place of injured Innocent Bonke in the midfield.

The Super Eagles failure to take the numerous chances created in the game was their biggest albatross. The Super Eagles’ next match will be against Sierra Leone in Abuja on June 9 to kick start the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualification series.

The second defeat within five days notwithstanding, the President