Super Eagles Break 5-year-old Jinx, Edge 10-man Mozambique In 5-goal Thriller

The Super Eagles recorded their first win in a friendly game in five years following a 3-2 victory over 10-man Mozambique in Portimäo, Portugal, yesterday.

Goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon steered Coach Jose Peseiro’s team to victory in a thrilling encounter.

Mozambique had taken the lead seven minutes into the game via Geny Catamo, raising fresh fears that Nigeria’s winless run in a friendly game may continue.

But OGC Nice’s Terem Moffi shot from close range 13 minutes later to restore parity for the Super Eagles at the Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Albufeira in Portugal.

While Nigeria continued to dictate most of the play, it was no surprise as they took the lead through Brentford star, Frank Onyeka, who bounced on a loose ball at the half-hour mark – just at the edge of the box – and fired home to make it 2-1 for the Eagles!

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Although Mozambique were reduced to ten men after a shirt pull on goal-bound Joe Aribo in the 37th minute, it took Nigeria a few more minutes before scoring their third goal when the irrepressible Moses Simon netted from the penalty spot in added time of the first half.

The southern Africans were bullish in the second period, unhindered by the numerical disadvantage, and got a second goal through Bangal with 10 minutes into the closing half.

Nigeria later made some changes in the latter stages of the tie with Sadiq Umar among them. The Real Sociedad striker made an immediate impact.

He thought he had scored in the 70th and 84th minutes of the game but his goals were flagged offside.

With four minutes added time after 90 minutes, the Super Eagles held off the East Africans to earn their first victory in a friendly match since a 1-0 win over Egypt in March 2019.
Victory means the Eagles have established a winning mentality ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches starting in November as well as the 34th Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cote d’Ivoire.