Nigeria vs Mozambique: AFCON contenders Super Eagles survive 10-man Mambas to finally win a match
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Nigeria player rating against Mozambique. (Photo Credit: X/Super Eagles)

Nigeria vs Mozambique: AFCON contenders Super Eagles survive 10-man Mambas to finally win a match

Izuchukwu Akawor 17:04 - 16.10.2023

Nigeria Super Eagles have ended their 15-match winless streak after a comfortable win against Mozambique.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have ended their long wait for a win in friendly matches after a comfortable victory against Mozambique. 

The Super Eagles defeated the Mambas 3-2 during their second friendly match at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in Portugal on Monday. 

Goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and a Moses Simon penalty saw the Super Eagles avoid a scare against the 10-man Mambas who had a man sent off in the first half. 

Nigeria vs Mozambique: Shaky start for Eagles

After a thrilling encounter with Saudi Arabia on Friday, Jose Peseiro’s men were expected to respond against the Mambas.

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To ensure the team responded, Peseiro made nine changes to the team that started against the Green Falcons, with Francis Uzoho interestingly keeping his place in the team.

However, in a shocking turn of events, it was the Southern African nation who took a short lead through Geny Catamo’s seventh-minute opener which was aided by another Uzoho error. 

Mozambique gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a scare with 10 men. (Photo Credit- Imago

It was not the start the Super Eagles had hoped but it did not take long before the Eagles responded. 

Nigeria reacts to the early goal

The early goal clearly made an impact as it became the wake-up Nigeria needed as the Super Eagles took control of the game. 

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles
Moses Simon was on target for Nigeria.

Nigeria dominated and created chances in search of a quick equaliser but the Mambas resisted, led by their excellent goalkeeper.

But despite his brilliance, their resistance only lasted for a while before Nigeria drew level thanks to an excellent strike by Moffi. 

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka is off the mark for Nigeria.

Onyeka gave Nigeria the lead for the first time in the game with another stunning effort after the half-hour mark to complete the comeback before Simon doubled the advantage from the spot heading into the break.  

Second half - Mambas fightback

Like the first half, Mozambique will not go down without a fight as they pulled another goal back early on in the second half.

This time, Catamo turned provider as he set up Faisal Abdul Bangal for an easy finish to make it 3-2. It stayed that way, with Nigeria holding on for a first win in 15 international friendly games. 

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