Uganda Stun Super Eagles 1-Nill in Uyo

Nigeria’s senior national team were edged by a lone goal by Uganda in an international friendly in Uyo on Wednesday.

Faruku Miya’s 81st-minute strike separated both teams at the Nest of Champions stadium. The Viper defender’s effort from inside the box took a slight deflection off Akeem Latifu past the sprawling Vincent Enyeama, who pushed the ball into his goal in an attempt to salvage situation.

The occasion- though in front of an empty stadium- was Enyeama’s 100th appearance for the Super Eagles- making him just the second Nigeria international to reach a centenary landmark after Joseph Yobo.

The centurion was presented with a commemorative plaque by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, to mark his milestone.

The match was part of both sides’ buildup for the qualifying series for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in June.

Caretaker coach Daniel Amokachi handed debut appearances to Watford FC striker Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon and Akeem who plies his trade at Norwegian club Aalesund FC.

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango and the Cranes’ back-four did well to avert an early Nigeria pressure, notably in the sixth minute from an attack initiated by FC Koln’s Anthony Ujah.

Substitute Moses Simon, who came on for Ujah, was denied by Onyango at the near post before his shot from outside the area missed target.

The hosts gave away cheap possessions and could not initiate free-flowing attack, whilst the east Africans waited for the right moment to pounce on their fickle defence.