Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro isn’t closing the door on Maduka Okoye retaining his spot later today when they take on Algeria in their second friendly game.

Nigeria drew the first game 2-2 against the B team of Algeria largely made up of players made up from League teams in Algeria. The game is to help them prepare for the CHAN championship which they will host next year.

Okoye’s howler gifted Algeria the opening goal and he was subbed off after the first half break as part of wholesome changes made by Peseiro, who was keen on rescuing something from the game.

Ahead of today’s game, Peseiro said one error isn’t enough to write him off and he could yet keep his spot in the starting lineup if the goalkeepers trainer insist on having him in goal.

” One mistake is not enough. It’s very normal for it to happen. It’s a team game and we conceded as a team not as individual. If the coach says to me I want Maduka in goal then I will play him. Mistakes are part of the game”, the Portuguese told OwnGoalNigeria.com ahead of today’s game.

The senior national team of Nigeria drew 2-2 against the B team of Algeria in one of the two friendly games the team will play during the ongoing international break. The next game will be against the main team of Algeria on Tuesday.

Algeria were using the game to prepare their B team solely made up of players from the local league for the upcoming CHAN championship, which they will host and for Nigeria it’s a warm up game ahead of the big test against the main team.

The coach of the Nigerian team Jose Peseiro used the game to hand a chance to players who haven’t played under him or even for the team with the quartet of goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, Ebube Duru, Raphael Onyedika and Savior Godwin making their international bow for Nigeria.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks the five players who were at their expected level during the game.

Alex Iwobi – A class above every player on the pitch. His confidence is on another level and it showed in the way he took his goal. On current form he is easily the best player in the team.

Moses Simon – What a performance in defence and attack. Made a solid defensive clearance moments after his clever cut back teed up Cyriel Dessers for the Super Eagles second goal of the game.

Cyriel Dessers – His movement in the box is on another level. Creates space with ease and took the chance to put Nigeria ahead with the composure of a defined goal scorer.

Saviour Godwin – Brilliant performance that could see him keep his spot in the team. Operating from the right, he was a threat for the period of time he was on the pitch. His solo run crafted the opening in the build up to the first goal scored by Nigeria.

Kelechi Iheanacho – He unsettled the defence of Algeria from the moment he was introduced. Teed up Iwobi for thr lol equaliser. His pressing forced the Algerian goalkeeper into making two howlers which were sadly not converted. He was indeed lively.

The senior national team of Nigeria drew 2-2 against the B team of Algeria in one of the two friendly games the team will play during the ongoing international break. The next game will be against the main team of Algeria on Tuesday.

Algeria were using the game to prepare their B team solely made up of players from the local league for the upcoming CHAN championship, which they will host and for Nigeria it’s a warm up game ahead of the big test against the main team.

The coach of the Nigerian team Jose Peseiro used the game to hand a chance to players who haven’t played under him or even for the team with the quartet of goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, Ebube Duru, Raphael Onyedika and Savior Godwin making their international bow for Nigeria.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks the five players who weren’t at their expected level during the game.

Maduka Okoye – He didn’t cover himself in glory with the error that led to the first goal scored Algeria. Largely untested for the 45 minutes that he was on the pitch. He struggled to play from the back and showed no composure with the ball at his feet.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Didn’t look at home playing with an unfamiliar duo in Ademola Lookman and Chidera Ejuke. He was hardly involved for the 45 minutes that he was on the pitch as he didn’t get up to ten touches.

Chidera Ejuke – Another game to forget for the Hertha Berlin man in the colours of Nigeria. He lost possession easily and didn’t contribute in attack even when Nigeria dominated the early exchanges.

Ebube Duru – He can be excused on the grounds that it was his debut game. However in a game where he should be more adventurous. He was caught more times in his half despite the fact that he had zero pressure on him.

William Troost Ekong – Didn’t look the part in possession and had lots of it. It exposed his poor ball distribution. Something which became clearer when he was subbed off.

The senior national team of Nigeria drew 2-2 against the B team of Algeria in one of the two friendly games the team will play during the ongoing international break. The next game will be against the main team of Algeria on Tuesday.

Algeria were using the game to prepare their B team solely made up of players from the local league for the upcoming CHAN championship, which they will host and for Nigeria it’s a warm up game ahead of the big test against the main team.

The coach of the Nigerian team Jose Peseiro used the game to hand a chance to players who haven’t played under him or even for the team with the quartet of goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, Ebube Duru, Raphael Onyedika and Savior Godwin making their international bow for Nigeria.

An error from goalkeeper Maduka Okoye who is staging a return to the team since the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where his error was largely cited as the reason why Nigeria lost 0-1 to Tunisia to crash out of the tournament in the round of 16.

In an attempt to play from the back, he inexplicably failed to deal with a simple back pass as he got robbed leaving the Algerian striker with the easiest of tap ins to open scoring. The video of the goal is below.

Maduka Okoye's school boy error which gifted Algeria the opening goal in yesterday's 2-2 draw. What's your take? pic.twitter.com/JbwU9vTxVf

— Mr. Mowiz (@MrMowiz) September 24, 2022

The senior national team of Nigeria drew 2-2 against the B team of the Algeria national team in the first of the two friendly games they will be playing during the course of the international break.

OwnGoalNigeria.com picks out five key moments in the game which saw Alex Iwobi and Cyriel Dessers scoring for Nigeria after coming on as substitutes.

Okoye’s Error: Make that back to back error for the Watford goalkeeper in the colours of the team. He fumbled a simple back pass which helped Algeria take the lead when he was robbed in his bid to play from the back. He obviously looks short of confidence and match practice.

Iwobi’s Stunner – One of the best players in the team at the moment. He brought his form at Everton to the game with a stunning strike from range to draw Nigeria level. All through the time he was on the pitch he was solid. What a player he is turning to.

Bassey Gives Away Penalty – It could easily have been a comeback win for the Super Eagles if not for a penalty decision that went against Ajax defender Calvin Bassey. In his bid to get into position he impeded an Algerian forward in the box conceding a penalty which was hit past Adeleye to draw Algeria level.

Simon’s Growing Influence – After bagging two assists against Sierra Leone in Abuja, a goal and assist against Sao Tome and Principe in Morocco. Simon was again the provider for Dessers to put Nigeria 2-1 up. His clever cut back was perfectly dispatched by Dessers.

Dessers Finishing – May not be at the level of Kelechi Iheanacho or Victor Osimhen but when it comes to finishing in the box, he is on another level. The Cremonense forward placed a well weighted cut back from Simon in a spot that is unstoppable. His movement to create space, his positioning and also finish confirmed his predatory instinct.

The senior national team of Nigeria were force to rally from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against the B team of the Algeria national team.

Substitutes Alex Iwobi and Cyriel Dessers ensured the Super Eagles weren’t defeated by the Algerian team made up of players from their domestic leagues, who are preparing for the CHAN Championship.

Algeria went into the half leading 1-0 no thanks to a defensive mix up. It force coach Jose Peseiro into making a raft of second half changes by bringing in most of the regular players of the team.

Two of the substitutes ended up getting the goals that saved the blushes of the Nigerian team, who used the game as tune up for the main friendly game against the main team of Algeria on the 27th.

Starting Lineup.

Maduka Okoye
William Troost Ekong
Chidozie Awaziem
Valentine Ozornwafor
Ola Aina
Ebube Duru
Frank Onyeka
Raphael Onyedika
Chidera Ejuke
Ademola Lookman
Taiwo Awoniyi

The senior national team of Nigeria will today play one of the two friendly games they will play against Algeria during the course of the international break.

Later today around 6pm Nigerian time, the team will play the B team of Algeria largely made up of players picked from league teams in Algeria. They are using the game to test their readiness for the CHAN tournament which they will host.

OwnGoalNigeria.com gathered that the game won’t be on any television as it is a test game and not a recognized friendly game. The other game on the 27th is the game that will be on television and also open to all.

The game will see as many as seven players who have not played under the new coach Jose Peseiro play their first game. Below is how the coach has decided to line up his players for the game.

Lineup.

Maduka Okoye
William Troost Ekong
Chidozie Awaziem
Valentine Ozornwafor
Ola Aina
Ebube Duru
Frank Onyeka
Raphael Onyedika
Chidera Ejuke
Ademola Lookman
Taiwo Awoniyi

The senior national team of Nigeria will today play one of the two friendly games they will play against Algeria during the course of the international break.

Later today around 6pm Nigerian time, the team will play the B team of Algeria largely made up of players picked from league teams in Algeria. They are using the game to test their readiness for the CHAN tournament which they will host.

OwnGoalNigeria.com gathered that the game won’t be on any television as it is a test game and not a recognized friendly game. The other game on the 27th is the game that will be on television and also open to all.

This particular game will be behind close doors but certain handles covering Algeria football will no doubt provide update during the course of the game. Below is one of the handles expected to give daily update on the game.

@DZfoot, @Koora_Dzair,

The build up to the senior national team of Nigeria friendly games against Algeria suffered a setback when news came out this morning that Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi won’t be taking part in both games.

Ndidi returned back to England today due to what the social media handles of the club term as an injury. It effectively rules him out of the game against the B team of Algeria on the 23rd and the next game four days later against the main team of same country.

The entire issue took a whole new twist when reports emerged that the Leicester City man was left upset when he was told by coach of the team Jose Peseiro that he will play as a center back rather than his preferred role as a defensive midfielder.

According to US based Nigerian journalist Suleiman Folarin, Ndidi wasn’t happy with the decision by the coach and early this morning he left the camp of the team with what he said is a knock that requires urgent attention. His claims didnt go down well with Ndidi.

Responding via his Twitter and Instagram handles. Ndidi dismisses his take saying he should have verified what he heard before going public with it on his Twitter handle. On his Instagram story he went further to label the act by Folarin as embarrassing.

A swift reaction has been provided on why coaches of the senior national team of Nigeria have not signed any contract since they were officially announced as the technical crew of the team.

While head coach Jose Peseiro and his foreign assistants signed a performance related contract for one year, the Nigerian coaches who are his assistants are yet to sign any documents confirming their appointment.

The situation is said to be the reason why first assistant Finidi George and goalkeepers trainer Ike Shorunmu boycotted the trip for the friendly games against Algeria on the 23rd and 27th of September respectively. A story which was carried by Punch and also reproduced by our editorial team.

It has brought about a reaction from a source in the camp of the team who reached out to us and also a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). They brought gave a clear picture of the entire episode.

” Ike Shorunmu arrived here yesterday with Ebube Duru. So that alone shows he isn’t on strike ahead of the game. Finidi George is bereaved as he recently buried his sister. That is the reason why he is not here according to what I know”, a source in the camp told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

On the issue of their contracts, a chieftain of the NFF explained that it’s a process which the coaches are aware of and in the coming days it will be settled. He said communication with the coaches is smooth and all will be sorted out before the next international break, where they will take on Portugal.