'We faced a great team' - Ecuador's Fenerbahce star praises Super Eagles

Speaking at the post-match press conference after Ecuador's hard-fought 1-0 win over Nigeria in an international friendly in New Jersey on Friday morning, Fenerbahce's La Tricolor striker Enner Valencia praised the Super Eagles, labeling them a 'great team'.

The World Cup-bound Ecuador netted what proved to be the winning goal after only three minutes as Villarreal star Pervis Estupiñán foxed the Nigeria rearguard to score from an in-swinging free kick.

Nigeria had several chances to draw level but a good display from Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez and a lack of accuracy from the Super Eagles strikers, especially Cyriel Dessers, prevented an equaliser.

Of the fourteen shots played by the Super Eagles players during the game, ten were off target and they launched 89 dangerous attack, 37 more than the opponents.

In quotes relayed by ESPN, Valencia told reporters : "We get the feeling that at times we were able to dominate. They have also had possession of the ball and opportunities.

"You have to see the performance above the result, but it is satisfying to be able to win because it gives you confidence.

"We faced a great team, it is also the issue that there were players who joined the concentration last to prepare for a game. We are committed as a group and surely the next game we will improve".

The Super Eagles next international fixture is a competitive one, a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday, June 9.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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