Jose Peseiro’s Super Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss to Ecuador

Jose Peseiro is still searching for his first win as Super Eagles manager after his Nigerian team suffered a 1-0 loss to Ecuador in their international friendly encounter at the Red Bull Arena on Friday morning.

Peseiro began his reign as Nigeria’s coach on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to Mexico at the AT&T Stadium but was hoping to secure a win against Ecuador.

However, he would have to wait a little bit for his first win after Pervis Estupinian’s third-minute strike sealed a 1-0 victory for the South Americans.

Nigeria got off to a bad start as Estupininan head home from a free-kick at the far corner to give Ecuador the lead inside three minutes.

It took a while for Nigeria to settle in, although they were not aided by some questionable calls from the centre referee. The Super Eagles eventually settled into the game, and they had an excellent chance to draw level before half-time after Cyriel Dessers was put through on goal.

However, the Genk man’s shot was pushed away by Alexander Domínguez in Ecuador’s goal. Dessers’ shot was Nigeria’s only real threat at goal in the first half, but the three-time African champions came out firing in the second half.

Nigeria started on the front foot after the break, with more urgency in their play. Peseiro had reacted at half-time by bringing on Emmanuel Dennis.

The Watford man added more bite to Nigeria’s attack, but he missed a glorious chance to draw the team level, firing over from close range following a brilliant cross from Calvin Bassey.

Dennis also got close again when he headed over the bar from a Moses Simon corner. The ex-Club Brugge man was then denied by Dominguez following a brilliant run down the left.

The Super Eagles’ wastefulness in front of goal continued when Dessers was put through on goal again, but the ex-Heracles man by Dominguez as he tried to round him when he could have played a one-time shot.

The Ecuadorians could have punished Peseiro’s men for their missed chances, but they were also wasteful in front of goal.

Nonetheless, the South Americans ran out 1-0 winners. The result means the Super Eagles ended their US tour with two losses and no wins in their last four games.

The three-time African champions will now turn their attention to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.