Super Eagles captain questions refereeing decisions in loss to Algeria, reveals what Peseiro told players

Nigeria's captain on the night, Moses Simon reckons that the Super Eagles were undone by controversial refereeing decisions in their 2-1 loss to Algeria in an international friendly in Oran on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles had gone ahead in the ninth minute when in-form Lorient striker Terem Moffi escaped the attentions of Algerian defenders and hooked the ball into the net as a shot by defender Calvin Bassey was deflected in a goalmouth melee.

Riyad Mahrez would level up for the North Africans five minutes from recess, when he coolly slotted past Uzoho after referee Melki adjudged that Frank Onyeka had fouled Youcef Belaili in the Nigerian box.

Youcef Atal latched on to a free ball from 28 yards after a corner kick was poorly cleared and slammed past a badly-positioned Uzoho to make it 2-1 just past the hour mark.

The Super Eagles thought they were 2-0 up when Ademola Lookman finished calmly as they counter-attacked, but the referee ruled it off-side.

Speaking post-match, Simon questioned the refereeing decisions and also revealed what manager Jose Peseiro told the players during the game as they complained about the unfavorable calls. 

He told NFF TV : "The game did not go the way we planned it but it's part of the job, we learn every day and I believe we picked a lot from it.

"We all know the referee did not give us justice. Of course the coach said we should just forget about it, we just keep fighting, we just play our game, people are watching.

"We just need to encourage ourselves, motive ourselves. We play for pride, we play for our family, we play for ourselves. Of course we play for the Nigerian fans.

"We just give ourselves a boost so we can do it and I believe we did our best and of course it didn't go as planned but we just keep working hard."

Nigeria are back in action on November 17 when they face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a glamour friendly in Lisbon. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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