Nigeria’s Super Eagles were defeated 1-0 by Ecuador in Jose Peseiro’s second game in charge of the team at the Red Bull Arena in New York in an international friendly.
Having lost the first game of his tenure against Mexico, Peseiro, 62, was eager to avoid a defeat against Ecuador, a side ranked 46th in the world, 16 places below the Super Eagles.
The South Americans took an early lead in the third ninyte after some lax defending by Nigeria.
A free-kick from the right wing was floated into a dangerous area by Ecuador winger Angel Mena, and Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupiñan hit the ball which deflected off Chidozie Awaziem into the net.
The Eagles had a shout for a penalty in the 14th after Terem Moffi looked to have been brought down after rounding the Ecuadorian keeper but the referee blew for a goal kick.
Ecuador continued to create chances and almost went 2-0 up following a brilliant curler from Jose Cifuentes but Uzoho tipped the goal bound strike over for a corner.
In the 30th minute Semi Ajayi had the Eagles best chance but saw his header saved on the line by the Ecuadorian keeper.
In the second half, Watford star Emmanuel Dennis was introduced for Katsina United midfielder Faisal Sani, who had been anonymous throughout the first 45 minutes.
Both sides were guilty of missing chances as the game went on, with Ecuador becoming more wasteful of the sides in the second half.
Up next for Peseiro and his team is the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.
