Mexico Defeat Nigeria in Highly Entertaining Friendly Match As Jose Peseiro Lose First Super Eagles Game

Mexico Defeat Nigeria in Highly Entertaining Friendly Match As Jose Peseiro Lose First Super Eagles Game

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
  • Nigeria vs Mexico saw Jose Peseiro take charge of the Super Eagles for the first time since he was appointed by the NFF
  • World Cup-bound Mexico defeated Nigeria who used the friendly match to prepare for the forthcoming 2023 AFCON qualifiers
  • Santiago Gimenez opened the scoring for the North American side and then Cyriel Dessers equalised, before a Troost-Ekong own goal gave the Mexicans the winner

It was a fight to finish at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in the United States, as Mexico and Nigeria engaged themselves in an international friendly.

While the North American side are bracing up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Super Eagles are preparing for the forthcoming 2023 AFCON qualifiers.

It was Jose Peseiro's first game in charge as the technical adviser of the Super Eagles since he was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Mexico, Nigeria, Friendly, Super Eagles
Nigeria vs Mexico ended 2-1 in favour of the North American side. Photo: Omar Vega
Source: Getty Images

Both teams gave a good account of themselves but it was Mexico who opened the scoring in a spectacular fashion to make their intentions clear, Vavel reports.

The opening goal came in the 12th minute when Santiago Gimenez hit the ball in the box and beat goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, but the rebound came back to him and the ball went into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

The Mexicans came close to extending their lead in the 18th minute when Guardado fired a low cross which was met by Gallardo's left-footed effort that went slightly wide.

The North Americans continued to search for their second goal and in the 32nd minute, Andrés Guardado's cutback and shot was saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper.

Nigeria restored parity in the 53rd minute courtesy of a fine goal by Cyriel Dessers whose header went past goalkeeper Rodolfa Cota to make it 1-1.

And the Super Eagles conceded again two minutes later after Troost-Ekong miskicked a cross from the six-yard box and sent it into his own net to make it 2-1 after Gallardo's cross.

There were no further goals as that was how it ended at the AT&T Stadium. The Super Eagles will now take on Ecuador on Friday, June 3 in another friendly.

Ekong promises Nigeria will rise again

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that William Troost-Ekong is roaring to get back into the pitch with the Super Eagles after missing out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were eliminated by arch-rivals Ghana on the away goals rule after both sides played a 1-1 draw in Abuja.

Ekong has now thanked Nigerians for their continued support of the national team and promised the Super Eagles will definitely rise again.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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NigeriaNigeria Football Federation (NFF)World