Nigeria's hopes for a victorious streak were dashed as the Super Eagles faced a disheartening 2-0 defeat against Mali's Les Aigles in their international friendly match on Tuesday night in Marrakech, Morocco.
Led by legendary Finidi George, the Eagles struggled to find their footing from the outset, conceding a goal in the first half and failing to mount a successful comeback despite their efforts. The tactical prowess of the Malian side proved formidable, with young talents El Bilal Touré and Kamory Doumbia securing crucial goals on either side of the interval, sealing a memorable victory for Mali and denying George his coveted second win as interim coach.
Having triumphed 2-1 over Ghana just days prior in the same stadium, Nigeria's Eagles aimed to extend their winning streak under Finidi George's leadership. However, hopes were dashed as the team failed to replicate their earlier success.
In an attempt to bolster their performance, George made strategic changes to the starting lineup, with Moses Simon, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, and Raphael Onyedika stepping in for Cyriel Dessers, Benjamin Tanimu, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Frank Onyeka. Despite these adjustments, the Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm against a resilient Malian side.
The defeat serves as a significant setback for George, who had been vying for a strong performance to bolster his candidacy for the permanent head coach position following Jose Peseiro's departure. With the World Cup qualifiers looming on the horizon, including matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in the summer, questions arise about Nigeria's preparedness and leadership under George's interim tenure.
