African champions Algeria pipped Super Eagles 1-0 in an entertaining friendly after both teams did not play since November 2019 no thanks to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
🇩🇿⚽️ Goaaaaal Ramy Bensebaini 1-0 pic.twitter.com/JxIJFdVGzc
— Walid Ziani (@bylka613_) October 9, 2020
Algeria had eliminated Nigeria 2-1 in the semifinal of 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
It was a lethargic showing by the Super Eagles particularly in the second half when they could only chase after the deserved winners.
Early pressure by Algeria was rewarded with the opening goal after six minutes, when fullback Ramy Bensebaini followed up a rebound from a header off a corner with the Eagles defence in disarray.
Algeria continued to press forward as Nigeria struggled to settle into this friendly.
In the 22nd minute, Alex Iwobi fired the first Nigeria shot at the Algerian goal, but his effort screamed wide off target.
Nigeria finished the stronger of the two teams after debutant Zaidu Sanusi’s cross in the 39th minute located Paul Onuachu leading to a corner.
Three minutes later, the FC Porto defender powered forward again and forced a save from Alexandre Oukidja, before Samuel Kalu shot directly at the goalkeeper soon after.
Algeria again started the brighter of the two sides after the restart.
Nigeria continued to give away possession and relied on counter attacks to really get going.
Against the run of play the impressive Tyronne Ebuehi drove from defence to shoot at goal on the hour, but again the effort failed to hit the mark.
Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma, who was this week cleared by FIFA to change international allegiance from Germany, made his Eagles debut when he replaced Ebuehi in the 67th minute.
However, it was the North Africans who pressed forward to double their lead, while the few times Nigeria surged upfront they could not go past a very organised Algerian defence.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye tipped away a goal-bound effort by substitute Yacine Brahimi on 84 minutes.
Super Eagles starting XI 4-2-3-1: Maduka Okoye – Zaidu Sanusi, William Ekong (Captain), Leon Balogun, Tyronne Ebuehi (Kevin Akpoguma 67) – Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka (Mikel Agu 46) – Alex Iwobi (Samson Tijani 85), Samuel Chukwueze (Ahmed Musa 75), Samuel Kalu (Moses Simon 50) – Paul Onuachu (Kelechi Iheanacho 67)
Algeria 4-2-3-1 : Oukidja – Bensebaini (Fares Salim 75), Tahrat, Mandi, Halaimia – Belkebla, Abeid – Benrahma, Boulaya, Mahrez (Captain) (Brahimi 72) – Delort.
