Super Eagles of Nigeria maintained their superiority over Mozambique after recording a 3-2 win in Monday’s international friendly game in Portugal, Completesports.com reports.
It is now four wins from five games for the Eagles against Mozambique with one fixture ending in a draw.
For the Eagles they recorded their first win in international friendlies since March 2019 when they beat Egypt 1-0 in Asaba, Delta State.
Last Friday, the Eagles conceded a late goal to settle for a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Mozambique took a shock lead in the 6th minute off Geny Catamo who slotted the ball past Francis Uzoho after connecting with a cross from the right wing.
Terem Moffi made it 1-1 in the 18th minute as he pounced on a loose ball by Mozambique keeper.
Also Read: Morocco Coach Regragui Wary Of Super Eagles Ahead 2023 AFCON
The Eagles went 2-1 ahead on 29 minutes through Frank Onyeka who volleyed home from the edge of the box after being setup by debutant Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
In the 37th minute Edmilson Dove was sent off for Mozambique for a foul on Joe Aribo.
The Eagles went 3-1 up thanks to Moses Simon who slotted home from the penalty spot.
Mozambique fought hard and were rewarded in the 55th minute as Faisal Bangal’s free-kick close to the corner flag beat Uzoho at his near post.
Up next for Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November where they will take on Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
After the two World Cup qualifiers, the Eagles will be in Côte d’Ivoire for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The three-time AFCON winners are in Group A with hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
By James Agberebi
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14 Comments
Someone should tell paseiro stop using 442 formation . Na so we advice rhor hin no answer us till dey sack am . Paseiro if dey sack u now which job u wan get . The earlier the better u use ur brain if u mean business. Going forward our formation should be 4231. A good goal keeper aina . Ajayi bassey and sanusi that’s the defence . The double four should be onyenka and ndidi . And when attacking ndidi Is the only one to move forward let onyenka stay in his holding 4 . Let’s give Bashir the 10 role. Or we give bonafice. The wing simon and kelechi inancho. The 9 should be oshimen . And tell ur players if u knw u wanna play shot it must be on target if not pass to the striker to score . That tall guy sodiq hin no get small ball sense . .paseiro kindly follow my advice and u will surely be happy
Coachiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Uzoho is a basket aka “Apere” – Once a basket always a basket and this has always been my verdict on him – I see some some on here talking about how he was once good?? That is completely laughable, others are trying to say it happened after his injury? Another big LIE! I have never been comfortable with him right from his first game and that has NEVER changed! I was asking about the Ezenwa or (is that even his name?) That goalie who does the funny sitting down dance celebration? That goalie was short but I could see straightaway that he was MUCH better than Calamity Frank but no they continued with Calamity Frank, I would even have Okoye over him, if it comes to that but no, again it’s Calamity manning the posts – Honestly, I don’t want to be cynical but something smells fishy – It may be that there is “egunje” involved because how any man who has eyes and a brain and knows anything about football will rate Calamity Frank as a competent goalie completely eludes me! Then Adeleye abi wetin be him name came on the scene, again another short goalie but again much much better than Uzoho but no, Paseiro wants to continue with Calamity Frank..hmmm okay O, siddon look mode activated on that one!
The whole game felt like a practice match, our boys almost seemed to be at walking pace most of the game – There was a lot of indiscipline I noticed, it looks as if Peseiro is not a great disciplinarian, it may come back to bite him in the backside- I sincerely hope it doesn’t.
I noticed a very alarming and concerning thing in this game which to be fair I haven’t noticed before and so it may be a one-off or brought on because the game itself seemed like a training session and the opposition were not up to much at all – but the alarming thing was that our boys kept holding on to the ball for too long and in most cases longer than necessary or longer than makes any good sense! What is that all about?? Again, I hope it’s not a “thing” and I won’t see that jazz again!
All in all, just a kick about in a park somewhere but Uzoho still managed to make a mockery of his goalkeeping duties – from now on his new name shall be – Calamity Frank lool
Peseiro really needs to pull his finger out and sort out the following-
1) Get to grips with the team’s discipline or Indiscipline as the case seems to be
2) Find an able goalkeeper or just an able man to man the posts
3)Work on team cohesion, passing and shooting
4) make sure to cut out the tendency to hold on to the ball too long and trying to showboat – whether it’s a thing or not – start drilling that into their heads!
As for that ref – He better not go and officiate in Colombia because they will just mud him quietly after the game – Ah ah! See like at least 2 stonewall penalties that he did not give?? Even Peseiro wanted to rush the guy! Nonsense!
Let me not go and speak too soon O lool but so far I want to say welldone to CSN – But knowing our boys, as soon as I congratulate them for fixing the disappearing comments and sudden occasional right to left orientation of our comments, the site will revert to that upside down orientation on both axis again SMH loool!
And as for that ref – He better not go and officiate in Colombia if he knows what’s good for him lol– Ah ah! See at least 2 original penalties that he did not give?? Even Peseiro wanted to rush the guy! Mtcheew!
I no fit shout abegi!
Up SE!
Up Nigeria!
Ire O!
Na Francis Uzoho you dey call Frank?
Yes now…Calamity Frank is more apt than Calamity Francis abi you no agree?
I think we should stop this basket uzoho tag.. I just watched the highlight to have a closer look on the goals Uzoho conceded today and none were his fault… The second goal had a Mozambique player touching the ball after it was crossed and that could beat any goalkeeper… The defenders rather should be blamed for poor positioning in a free kick..
Friendlies are to learn valuable lessons and i saw a bashiru having a hand in the first two goals.. I think he got an assist today.. these are why friendly games are fixed..
Omerue was slow in recovery for the first goal we conceded showing he is aging.. an awaziem showed he is a better player as he gave no room for nonsense play around the box..
Congratulations to the team , they did well
My guy – You cannot control what anyone else chooses to say or do in banter or even otherwise so firstly perish that thought. Secondly, you must be very undecided as a person because you seem to keep dilly dallying about what you think or don’t think and – Yes Uzoho slipped in conceding one of the goals today – the ball was redirected after taking a deflection but I already saw that during the game well before I said well before I said what I said – I really do not do this but for your benefit and for the last time – (because you surely missed it) I have said all along that Uzoho has been error prone (to me at least) from his very first game – This is no knee-jerk reaction from me – if you can go back and check out all my comments, you’ll find a consistency when it comes to Uzoho, in fact in everything I have said- It is you who needs to nail your masts one way or another and stop shuffling forwards, backwards and sideways with your opinions.
My brother there was never a time I wrote that Uzoho isn’t error prone.. I personally think that he should be replaced but tell yourself the truth, who do we currently have that can replace uzoho At the moment.. is it the guy in Austria that isn’t read to lose his citizenship in his foreign country or it is atobulo who is waiting for the German team call up.. is it okonkwo who hasn’t decided if he wants nigeria while he waits for england.. let’s be honest with her ourselves.. we do not really have much options in the goalkeeping position..
We can only be patient with Uzoho while we wait for okonkwo or atobulo to decide on playing for us.. sadly Afcon is two months from now and it will be almost impossible for those options to apply for a switch, the best we can get is next year after the Afcon.. so we must reason with pesiro and leave our emotions.. pesiro is trying to give uzoho the needed confidence because he is likely going to be the man in the goal post come Afcon except an emergency goalkeeper comes in to replace him ( do we even have the time to integrate the new goalkeeper).. let’s take it easy with Uzoho! He wasn’t at fault for any of the goals today
You are a very funny man. You mean NIGERIA doesn’t have a Goalkeeper of the class of a Cyprus based bench warmer?? Laughable!
ADELEYE plays regularly for a first Division Club in ISRAEL. He was a former No 1 of U17 of NIGERIA. Iker Casilas, Fabian Barthez etc were never tall goalies and yet we’re World Cup winners.
NIGERIA has a 31 years old RASHEED who is First Choice for Vernamo in Sweden…PAJERO …ooops PASEIRO (meanwhile, I don’t see NIGERIA winning anything with that clueless Portuguese PHE Teacher) can get in touch and check him out!
A coach who deploys FRANK ONYEKA as a No 10 and play ARIBO as a support Striker can and will never win a TEA CUP (like his predecessor ROHR) for NIGERIA
Nigeria Vs Mozambique:- 3:2 (A QUICK REFLECTION)
Finally, Jose Peseiro guided Nigeria to a friendly triumph since taking reins as Super Eagles gaffer with today’s decent 3:2 win against an obdurate Mozambique.
It would have been impossible to remotely defend the Portuguese tactician had Nigeria lost the match and that was almost the case as the Super Eagles had to come from one goal down to claim victory in respectable fashion.
Catamo had put Mozambique ahead in 6 minutes before sustained and merciless Super Eagles pressure led to Moffi’s neat finish in 10 minutes. Then, Onyeka’s emphatic stab in 30 minutes effectively put Nigeria in the driving seat, much to the relief of fans. Simon was as cool as cucumber in 48 minutes to slot home a penalty kick before Bangal took advantage of negligent Nigerian defending to slot home at close range for Mozambique, making it 3:2.
Having just seen the match once, from my tablet which wasn’t particularly very clear, below are my quick initial observations:
1, Moses Simon is very tenacious. He caused no end of problems for Mozambique on the flanks. He remains an integral part of Nigeria’s hopes of making a meaningful impact in the Afcon if he retains this scintillating form.
2, Super Eagles created credible goal scoring opportunities today. But for the brilliance of Mozambique’s goalkeeper, the margin of victory could have been higher. Kudos goes to Peseiro for his instructions (which helped to open up the opposition), and his boys for their decent execution.
3, There was a clear pattern that produced Nigeria’s goals: locate the centre forward who slices it back to an attacking midfielder or support striker who in turn unleashes a bullet from the edge of the 18 yard box. This manoeuvre worked wonders today which left me really impressed.
4, A staple of Peseiro’s game is high press. The team succeeded in harassing their opponents with this approach which contributed to Mozambique conceding a red card. As the Super Eagles continue to perfect this strategy, they can expect to punish more careless defenders in games to come.
5, Despite their low status, Mozambique came here to play and win and almost embarrassed the Super Eagles. But, like a phoenix, the Super Eagles rose from the ashes of conceding early to draw level and then take the lead. It shows their mettle and character which will need to come to play in world cup qualifiers and the Afcon.
6, The Super Eagles actually looked like they were enjoying themselves. They looked comfortable within the formation they were operating in. Their routines looked well polished and they controlled the pace of the game for long periods.
7, Aribo, to me, was effective as a nuisance in attack. He put his body about and made his physical presence felt, far more than I see him do in midfield. He didn’t so much carry a scoring threat but he looked like an outlet to ruffle up defenders and bring others in, so deep in enemy territory.
8, Nigeria still often seem to find it difficult to make headway through the middle. Hence the Super Eagles over-rely on wing play. Having a cerebral midfielder will be golden.
9, Concentration lapses is the bane of this team. It led to Mozambique’s second goal. This shortcoming could prove costly in crunch encounters.
10, One of Uzoho’s deliveries almost culminated in a penalty award to Nigeria later in the match but the referee dismissed it. He has greatly improved as a keeper-sweeper with an eye for key passes but he still need to work relentlessly on other key aspects of his job description. Retaining him in goal was a vote of confidence from the coach which he needs to start paying in subsequent games.
Summary: I was satisfied with the outcome of this match and the performance of the team. I don’t think the low status of the opposition takes any gloss off the output – the Super Eagles did well. But some potentially damaging shortcomings remain. Our goalkeepers still need help, encouragement and support; they Super Eagles still manage to fall asleep on the wheel of concentration in key moments; and they aren’t as ruthless as can be expected. One thing I observed is that the formation of Mozambique made for an open game which allowed Nigeria to flourish today. They might find it tough going against a more compact opposition. All in all, kudos goes to Peseiro for a job well done and an acceptable victory.
Conceding 2 goals against Mozambicans is the grey area of a dominant performance from Nigeria. With these defense we can say our best result at the Afcon is Final 4. Nigeria has not improved from conceding odd goals.
I am afraid the tactics of the coach is worrisome, we concede alot this days and it is not a good sign.
I’m worried whenever I see positive comments on our goalkeeper at this level of the game.
Nigeria has just goalkeeper not quality goalkeeper. 2024 AFCON can’t be won with Nzoho or Okoye between the sticks. Its either you take it or leave it.
Vincent Enyeama contributed largely to winning of 2013 AFCON, had it been the likes of Nzoho and Okoye were 2013 squad goalkeepers, Nigeria could have kissed the cup goodbye.
Uzohobasket again!!
You can lie to people but you can’t cheat nature.
Let’s be frank to Francis to make him understand that Uzoho body needs some rest put of soccer. He needs to go invest all the money he has made in business and prevent life threatening bone fracture. It is clear for everyone to see from that his reflexes are gone. His grips are no longer there. Except Uzoho and nff are involved in match fixing, all the goals he has conceded are enough for disengagement for National teams even as a future trainer.
How on earth someone that is warming the bench in a below top 1000 clubsides is given so much preferential treatment.
Uzohobasket enough is enough!