Ajayi debuts as Mitrovic double sinks Super Eagles in W’Cup friendly

Al Ahly’s Nigerian forward, Junior Ajayi played his first game for the senior national team in an international friendly against Serbia which they lost 2-0 at The Hive in London on Tuesday night.

Ajayi, who came in for Alex Iwobi on the 88th minute, got his first call-up to the team ahead of the March friendlies which kicked off preparations towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles did put up a fight against Serbia but eventually lost their grip when they conceded the first goal, and the opponents took advantage of it to seal the win.

The first few minutes of the game saw the Eagles under pressure as their opponents had more of the ball and made attempts at goal.

Nigeria however increased their pace and fired two shots at the Serbian goalkeeper in the 9th and 10th minute first from Victor Moses and the other by Ogenyi Onazi.

The Serbians thought they had gone ahead minutes later when goalkeeper Francis Uzoho mishandled a save and the ball rolled over the goalline, but the referee did not give the goal.

Read also: ‘Frustrated’ Mikel to miss Serbia friendly, backs Eagles to win

Iwobi almost put the Eagles ahead on 21 minutes but got his shot blocked by a defender in the penalty area.

Both sides kept trying to change the scoreline before the break without any success, as attempts by Moses and Dusan Tadic from opposite ends did not make a difference.

Uzoho made more and more good saves after the break to stop the Serbians, while an attempt on 63 minutes by Odion Ighalo, who replaced Moses at halftime, went over the bar.

But on the 67th minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic put Serbia ahead after passes between him and his teammates in Nigeria’s box.

Ighalo went for a quick equalizer with a shot from an Iwobi pass but the Serbian keeper grabbed it.

Serbia doubled their lead on 80th minute when Mitrovic scored his second of the night with a simple finish from a cross from the left.

Super Eagles had defeated Poland 1-0 last week Friday thanks to a finely converted penalty by Moses in Wroclaw.

The team still has more friendlies to play before the mundial, including clashes against Congo DR and the Three Lions of England.

 

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