Nigeria fall to Togo for second time in a week

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:20 am

Nigeria have lost twice in seven days to Togo after going down 2-1 in the third match of the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal on Sunday.

The Nigerians dominated the opening 15 minutes but let themselves down in the final third with several passes going astray. And they were made to pay for their lacklustre attack in the 16th minute when Togo took the lead.

Some sloppy defending by the Super Eagles centre-backs allowed Kossivi Moise Adjahli to tap home a left-wing cross from Kossi Koudagba to make it 1-0.

Nigeria almost hit back in the 27th minute when Ndifreke Effiong Udo tried his luck from 20 yards out, but his low, stinging effort shaved the wrong side of the post.

Five minutes later, though, the Super Eagles did manage to find the equaliser thanks to a cheeky 10-yard back-heel flick from Sikiru Adewale Alimi, directing a long-range shot from teammate Fatai Gradamosi into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

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Togo restored their advantage two minutes before the break after Nigerian Olisa Harold Ndah turned the ball into his own net after trying to clear a right-sided set-piece from Marouf Tchakei.

The second half started a little slowly with Nigeria controlling the possession stakes, but again they were unable to string decent passes together to fashion a goal-scoring chance.

That was until the 64th minute when the Super Eagles should really have scored after Sunday Udoh met an inch-perfect left-wing cross from Alimi, but skied his attempt over the target from only a few yards out.

That was the start of a nightmare afternoon for Udoh who went close again in the 70th minute when his 24-yard free kick skimmed the top of the crossbar.

In the 86th minute, Udoh was gifted yet another glorious chance to score after being put through on goal with just the keeper to beat, but he failed to control the ball and fumbled it out of play.

The match ended on a horrible note for Udoh who was sent for an early shower in the 92nd minute after receiving his second yellow card.

In the end, Togo held on for the 2-1 win, which is their second win over Nigeria in seven days.

Togo will now progress into the quarterfinals of the Cup competition where they will play the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Cape Verde on Oct. 5, while Nigeria will take part in the Plate quarterfinals and play the loser.