Egypt beat Nigeria 3-2 in Dubai friendly

Nigeria’s Azubuike Ekwuekwe (left) challenging Egypt’s Ahmed Zaher during their friendly match in the Gulf emirate of Dubai...Thursday.
| credits: Getty Images

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, lost his first match as Nigeria coach after the Pharaohs of Egypt snatched a late goal to beat Eagles 3-2 in a friendly match played at El Nasri Stadium in Dubai on Thursday.

In his first five games, Keshi, won two matches against Zambia and Liberia and drew with Angola, Botswana and Rwanda. The Rwanda game was a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier played in Kigali in February.

Like in the match against Liberia, the coach kept faith in the home-based players he has been working with as goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, Azubike Egwueke, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa, Papa Idris, Reuben Gabriel, Henry Uche, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obina Nwanchuku, Sunday Mba and Kalu Uche started against the Pharaohs.

Sunday Mba, who scored both goals against Liberia in Monrovia, put Nigeria ahead in the 15th minute to the delight of a handful Nigerians at the stadium. But Ahmed Temsah cancelled the advantage in the 25th minute with a shot that took a deflection. The north Africans went ahead to take the lead when veteran Mohammed Aboutrika scored from the spot in the 32nd minute. Kalu Uche levelled score in the 40th minute, converting with a back heel from Ejike Uzoenyi pass.

At the resumption of the second half, Aboutrika would have put the Pharaohs 3-2 up but his shot went over the target as Nigeria continued the search for more goals. Uche and Mba, who later made way for Izu Azuka late in the game, threatened the opponents’ area as the game went on but it was the Egyptians who got the third goal in injury time through Ahmed Hassan Mekky.

It was a match the home-based players gave their all and they actually deserved a result but for the superior exposure of their opponents who mounted a late challenge when it seemed both sides were content with a draw.

Former U-20 coach Tunde Disu said the result was a sign of brighter future for the Eagles.

“We were down but we are coming up even with the loss. It means that players from our league can be relied on. Keshi is doing a great work and he deserves praises and support. Few coaches will put their hope in home-based players like he is doing,” he said.