Nigeria 0 Mali 2: Les Aigles win for the first time in 17,735 days against Super Eagles 

Mali defeated Nigeria 2-0 in an international friendly played at Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday night, their first win against the Super Eagles in 17,735 days. 

Coach Finidi George made four changes to the side that started against Ghana last Friday-Kenneth Omeruo replaced Benjamin Tanimu, Jamilu Collins was preferred to Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back, Raphael Onyedika came in for the injured Frank Onyeka. At the same time, Moses Simon was elected to start ahead of Cyriel Dessers.

The Super Eagles started the game slowly with Mali enjoying the larger share of the possession in the opening of the minutes and got the first shot of target of the game in the 13th minute forcing Stanley Nwabali to make a save.

Mali opened the scoring in the 17th minute, benefiting from Chidozie Awaziem's poor pass to Nwabali and El Bilal Toure was in the right place to slot the ball home.

Nigeria finally got their first sight of goal in the 27th minute when Alex Iwobi played on Moses Simon in a fast counter-attack but the Nantes forward couldn't test the Malian goalkeeper.

That would be the last piece of action for Simon as he had to be brought off after sustaining an injury and Cyriel Dessers came on in his stead

The Eagles would hold on to their lead heading into the break with the Super Eagles not proving to be a match for their West African counterparts.

The Super Eagles picked it up from where they left in the first half, struggling to break down the Malian defence but created a big opportunity in the 63rd minute.

Kelechi Iheanacho put Cyriel Dessers through on goal with a delightful pass but the Rangers striker could only blazed the ball past the frame of the goal post.

A goal from Kamoury Doumbia in the 87th minute will seal victory.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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