A second-string Super Eagles team battled valiantly but fell short in a 2-0 international friendly loss to Costa Rica on Thursday morning at the National Stadium in San Jose.
In the seventh minute, veteran defender Oscar Duarte headed in a goal.
The Super Eagles defenders were ball-watching when the goal was scored from a long free kick.
The Super Eagles held their own despite losing so early in the match because of Water FC right-back Dominion Ohaka’s disruption of the Costa Rican defence.
Ohaka, who drew the attention of the crowd, was excellent at moving forward with the ball and provided several quality crosses.
However, the forwards lacked the assurance necessary to seriously challenge the Costa Rican defence.
Sunday Faleye, who came on as a second-half replacement, also shown flashes of the player who excelled for Nigeria at the 2018 African Nations Championship in Morocco.
Centre-back Due to a rugby-like tackle he made in the second half, Ejeh Isaiah was fortunate to escape punishment.
17 minutes from the finish, Kendal Watson scored Costa Rica’s second goal.
The Super Eagles will now focus on their upcoming Friendlies against Portugal on November 17 in Lisbon.
