Costa Rica 2 Nigeria 0 : La Tricolor beat understrength Super Eagles in friendly

In a pulsating encounter at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, the Home Based Super Eagles lost 2-0 to the Costa Rican national team.

Nigeria began the game like a house on fire, dictating the proceedings of the game in the first 3 minutes.

The hosts however grew into the game and made use of their first attacking opportunity. Former Arsenal man, Joel Campbell whipped in a cross and it was met by Óscar Duarte who shot beyond Bankole in the 7th minute.

In the 12th minute, Qudus Akani drove the ball into the final third before making a pass to Ezekiel, who was later deemed offside.

Bankole was called into action once again as he saved a goal bound shot played by Zamora in the 16th minute.

Within a minute, Dominion Ohaka almost put Nigeria back into the game with his left footed shot but it went wide.

Chidebere Nwobodo would go on to drive the ball into the opponents box but his move was thwarted by the opposing defender.

In the early stages of the second half both sides exchanged attacking moves but non could find the back of the net.

in the 59th minute Salisu Yusuf made four changes, bringing in Alex and Sunday Faleye for Enobong and Alo Samson respectively.

Garba came on for Qudus Akanni while Samuel Kalu replaced Chidebere Nwobodo.

The North American team doubled their lead in the 72nd minute through Kendall Waston. Campbell's in swinger was met by the head of the lanky defender, guiding it past Ejeh Isiah and Kayode Bankole.

The win extends Costa Rica's winning streak against Nigeria to two, having won 1-0 in a friendly played in 2011.

Toyosi Afolayan

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