Nigeria’s Super Eagles fell to a slim 1-0 defeat to La Tri of Ecuador in their friendly encounter at the Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey on Friday morning.
Jose Peseiro’s men went behind as early as the third minute when Pervis Estupian nodded home Enner Valencia’s cross from a free-kick.
The Super Eagles dominated the game afterwards and were denied a penalty on 12 minutes when Terem Moffi was upended inside the box by Ecuador goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez.
15 minutes later, Cyriel Dessers wasted a glorious chance to equalise for Nigeria.
Alex Iwobi set him up with a brilliant pass, but the striker’s tame effort was easily saved by Dominguez.
Ecuador troubled the Super Eagles defence with their direct football and were denied a couple of times by the brilliant Francis Uzoho.
Coach Peseiro made two changes at the break, Ola Aina and Emmanuel Dennis, replacing Chidozie Awaziem and Sani Faisal.
The Super Eagles had the first chance after the break, with Dennis failing to direct his shot at goal after he was teed by Calvin Bassey.
The West Africans further upped the tempo of the game and Joe Aribo was denied by the upright a minute after the hour mark.
Dessers also wasted another chance a minute later.
Uzoho produced a superb save to deny Angel Mena five minutes from time.
The Super Eagles will now concentrate on their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau after the conclusion of the friendlies.
