Chris Maduewesi
Member
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi will be left to ponder what he has to do in order to bring his team back to winning ways.
As African champions,Nigeria failed to leave up to that billing in Jacksonville,making it three successive games they have failed to win on their training tour before setting out for Brazil.
Hopes are beginning to wane over the ability of this Super Eagles side to fly in Brazil,as they looked every inch an ordinary side in the games that they have played en-route the World Cup.
The Super Eagles started the more enterprising of both sides in the match,but USA was content to gift Nigeria the possession in the early stages of the game.
Coming few hours after Nigeria lost a player out of the World Cup to an injury,it was a game that gave a glimpse of what to expect from Juwon Oshaniwan at the left back position,with Elderson Echiejile ruled out.
It wasn't a coincidence that it was from the left-back position that USA found an opening to score a goal.
USA got their noses in front after a Johnson's cross found Jozy Altidore who was left unmarked,and he needed just a tap in to put his team in front.
It was the first goal the USA striker has scored in the last six months after going through a drought without scoring.
Nigeria continued to struggle to carve an opening,and the penetration was lacking in what was reminiscent of the last game against Greece.
The Super Eagles did have a chance through a corner kick,but a free header from Efe Ambrose was only directed straight to Tim Howard,marking his 100th cap for his country.
Michael Bradley was pulling the strings from midfield,with the duo of John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi merely passengers behind him.
Especially Mikel who failed to influence the game from his position,but Bradley was always eager to initiate attack for his team,leading them on each break as they looked to punish Nigeria in every move.
Not even the second half changes of the ineffective Osaze Odemwingie and Mikel could do the trick for Nigeria who failed to press.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be given a confidence boost over his teams showing,coming close on a couple of occasions to finiding the net.
Clint Dempsey was the biggest of culprits,missing a handful of chances,but Vincent Enyema was once again solid,stopping him from finding the net.
However the Nigerian keeper was powerless when Altidore scored his second goal of the night. The USA striker held off a challenge from Joseph Yobo and turned expertly to belt in an unstoppable cracker into the net to put his side 2-0.
By then it was summarily over for Nigeria,Emmanuel Emenike did have a chance when played through on goal,but the Fenerbahce man shot directly at Howard.
There was to be some consolation for Nigeria when Victor Moses won a penalty late on in the game and subsequently converting it to reduce the deficit at 2-1.
USA saw off the encounter and would be happy with the outcome,making it three wins in three matches as they go into the World Cup to play the Black Stars of Ghana in their first game in Brazil.
Keshi on his part will be worried,and the pressure is already cranking up as his team looked tepid in all departments.
Having played their last game heading into Brazil,not what his team needs as they prepare for the tournament.
Nigeria will be staying in Florida,USA,for a few days before flying out to Brazil,somehow Keshi will have to find a winning formula for his team before they embark on the glittering trip of the World Cup.
Maybe the Iranians would fancy their chances,but the Super Eagles have a way of surprising people when there is no hope placed on them.
Photo Credit: @NGSuperEagles
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