A goal from El Bilal Toure in the first half and a late goal from Kamory Doumbia condemned the Super Eagles of Nigeria to a 2-0 loss to their Malian opponents. It was Mali's first win over Nigeria in 39 years and Coach Finidi Gearge's second audition as the interim coach of the Nigerian team. This proved to be a tougher assignment than the one against the Black Stars last Friday, which he passed.
Finidi made some changes to the team, both technical and injury-related. Frank Onyeka pulled out of the game, and Raphael Onyedika replaced him, while Moses Simon started in place of Cyriel Dessers. The Eagles were under pressure from the kick-off as Eric Chelle's men pressed from the front and it was no surprise the first goal by Mali, quarter-finalists at the last African Cup of Nations, was a direct product of their aggression.
Chidozie Awaziem, who started at the right of the back three, had no choice but to attempt a pass across his box, which professional circles frown upon. The lofted pass was straight at Bilal Toure, who made no mistake in getting the ball past Stanley Nwabali. Nigerian fans would have expected a response from the team that was boasting stalwarts like Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo, and Alex Iwobi, but that response did not materialise.
