Nigeria 0 Czech Republic 1 : Super Eagles Lose Final Pre-World Cup Friendly
The Super Eagles were desperate to trap some wind in their sails after a spirited display against England last weekend.
Czech Republic who finished third in their qualifying group, out of which Germany emerged champions, are not going to Russia and were playing for pride at the most.
It was a sluggish start to proceedings and the aerial route seemed to be the preferred route as either team looked to settle down.
Five minutes into the match, Victor Moses tried to curl a free kick around the wall and got it on target but goalkeeper Vaclik Thomas hurled himself to the top corner and gobbled it up.
The Czechs were unruffled. Shehu Abdullahi blocked Sural Josef’s goal bound effort in the 10th minute of play.
Patrik Shick then went for goal from a volley that dropped from space but Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho palmed it away for a corner.
Uzoho was called to action again with a world class save from Sural Josef’s volley.
He couldn’t stop Czech Republic from racing into the lead in the 25th minute. Kalas Tomas slammed the ball to the back of the net after Uzoho spilled a goal bound header.
Nigeria could have had an instant reply. John Ogu should have converted that simple chance. A well worked corner by Victor Moses found the Hapoel Beer Sheva man who couldn’t direct his header to the net.
Odion Ighalo also powered past the defender and unleash a deadly shot which the keeper saved.
There was some pinball activities around the Nigerian box but Antonin Barak’s volley from 25 yards went out tame.
John Obi Mikel tried to pull the strings from the centre as Nigeria started putting together some passes in their attacking third.
Nigeria kept the ball better and there was much more fluidity about their game. But they still looked blunt in the final third whereas Czech were making quite a few opportunities on the counter.
It was a sedate start to the second half as both teams attempted to get a feel of one another.
Iwobi fed Ighalo who seemed to be going backwards after receiving the ball. He took ages to get a shot away and substitute keeper Pavlenka Jii dived low to his right to make the save.
Substitute Tyronne Ebuehi stepped past two defenders and whipped a dangerous ball in but it it was easily headed out by Marek Suchy.
There were huge cheers as Nigeria got their first shot on goal in the second half. Ighalo flicked on a Moses corner but it landed straight into the hands of the keeper who did not even have to move.
Seven minutes after the hour, Brian Idowu flicked one over Kalas, found himself one on one with the keeper, but smashed it into the third tier.
Ebeuehi then charged on to a lay-off from Moses – who ran a good 30 yards through the midfield himself – and wanted a penalty for a challenge inflicted on him. The referee awarded a free kick instead.
