Super Eagles begin 2018 World Cup preparation on victory note, shoot down Poland in front of home fans

By Daily Sports on March 24, 2018

Victor Moses’ penalty was enough for Nigeria to kick off their pre-World Cup programme with a 1-0 victory over Poland at the Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw on Friday.

The Chelsea man won and then converted a 61st-minute spot kick to extend the Super Eagles’ impressive form under Gernot Rohr, a run which has seen the West Africans lose just once during the German’s managerial reign.

The Eagles lined-up with a largely familiar team, although Rohr answered pre-match speculation about the identity of his first-choice goalkeeper by handing teenager Francis Uzoho his first international start.

The Nigerians started the first half the brighter of the two sides in a physical contest, but the best chance of the half fell to Poland, with Willian Troost-Ekong clearing what seemed a certain goal off the line before the break.

It was the first of a series of questionable and nervy moments for the 19-year-old Uzoho, who often appeared indecisive with his positioning and decision-making.

However, the Deportivo La Coruna youngster redeemed himself with two big saves against Polish captain Robert Lewandowski, on a day in which the prolific forward was largely neutralised by the hardworking central defence pairing of Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun.

The decisive moment arrived on the hour mark when Moses, who was largely under-par for the duration of the game, skipped past two markers before been brought down by Marcin Kaminski in the box.

The Chelsea wing-back stepped up to tuck away his 11th international goal, executing a superb penalty which left goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski rooted to the spot.

The Poles responded by upping the ante, and almost equalised when Artur Jedrzejczyk’s goal-bound header appeared to take a slight touch off Uzoho. The onslaught on the Eagles’ goal continued, with Grzegorz Krychowiak looking the biggest threat to pull a leveller for the hosts.

In the end, the Super Eagles held on for a win, and will be confident of building on that impressive result when they face Serbia in London on Tuesday.

•Credit (except headline): Kwese.espn.com. Photo shows Odion Ighalo (L) celebrating with goal scorer Victor Moses. Photo: Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 24, 2018


 

You may also like...
Balotelli instant hit at Nice

Guardiola: Toure must apologise for agent’s comments

Inter Ask Chelsea To Drop Asking Price For...

Mourinho ‘Blown Away’ By Bale Training Form

Okumagba congratulates Amaju Pinnick, rallies support

De Conde: Genk Set To Sell Red-hot Onuachu...

 

Latest News Chelsea’s Maresca says rotation unavoidable Joshua makes weight for €100m Paul fight Osimhen, Iwobi pay tributes to Troost-Ekong Amorim defends his use of midfielder Mainoo 'Always in my mind to start' - Slot on Salah Man City won't take risk on 'suffering' Rodri's return Arsenal's Mosquera could be out for at least six weeks Iran to attend World Cup draw after boycott threat Alexander-Arnold off injured in comfortable Real Madrid win A shadow of his imperious self - Van Dijk fights decline Newcastle want to be 'top club in world' by 2030 Trump and Infantino - too close for comfort?

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,389 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,629 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,565 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,207 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,178 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,093 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,936 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,521 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,658 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,215 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,605 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,080 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media