Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze scored goals in each half to give the Super Eagles a 2-0 win over Cameroon club side Coton Sport in a practice game in Garoua on Friday.
A goal in each half of the match, which was played behind closed doors on the practice pitch of the Roumde Adjia Stadium, strengthened Austin Eguavoen’s team’s preparations ahead of their Group D opener against Egypt on Tuesday.
Musa scored first in the first half, while Chukwueze doubled the Eagles’ advantage in the second.
Maduka Okoye started in goal for the Eagles, with Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, and Zaidu Sanusi in defense.
Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, and Chidera Ejuke made up the midfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa, and Taiwo Awoniyi led the attack.
Musa was replaced by Alex Iwobi midway through the first half.
Francis Uzoho, Olisa Ndah, Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Nwakali, Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Sadiq Umar were introduced before the start of the second half.
The only players from the first half to keep their spots were Iwobi and Sanusi.
Iwobi was eventually succeeded by Henry Onyekuru, while Umar was replaced by Peter Olayinka.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ first and second teams will play another practice game.
Nigeria’s sole and final practice match took place on Friday after the team had initially tented in Abuja before heading to Garoua for their Afcon campaign on Wednesday.
Interim coach Eguavoen fielded two sides for each half of the game, praising their efforts ahead of their group stage appearances in the same city.
“We played with two sets of teams, the first-half required the first 11 players and another 11 players in the second half just to see how they fare and cope with the weather condition,” Eguavoen told the NFF TV.
“I tell you we struggled a little bit with the weather but in terms of ball possession and movement, I think we’re very impressed, only this game but it is a very good thing for us.
“They did very well, it is a little bit difficult to compare both teams now, it is only by names. We missed a couple of chances and we scored only a goal, the second goal came after missing a couple of chances as well so the result is Nigeria 2 Coton Sport nil.
“Like we all know, it is a practice match and nobody actually wants to see goals flood this match because we tried to play safe in this match. However, I think we are impressed with everybody that came in.”
When asked if the players responded well and executed his tactics well, he said: “Yes, we did but at some point we did not, just because of fatigue. You know the ball movement was a bit faster.
“But in front of goal, we are too few and that’s something we have to work on. Crosses are coming in well, ball possession is good, playing to the side which is our strength is very good but arriving in the box with fewer players is not so good and that’s what we will work on in the next few days.”
