Super Eagles outclassed by Serbia in pre-World Cup friendly
- Serbia defeat Nigeria by 2-0 in an entertaining encounter at The Hive
- Mitrovic scores brace in the second half to give the Serbian side the victory
- Nigeria had won their previous friendly against Poland by 1-0
The Super Eagles were humbled 2-0 by the Serbian national team courtesy of a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic in the second half.
Serbia could have taken the lead in the first half when Mitrovic's header was scrambled off the line by Francis Uzoho as the referee did not award the goal.
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The Serbs were dominant in all proceedings of the match and they were rewarded in the second through their hitman Mitrovic.
An attack was launched down the left as Kostic found the former Newcastle striker who picked his spot to give his side the advantage.
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Southampton's Dusan Tadic was instrumental for the Serbian side as he created space from the left before slipping a pass to Mitrovic in the box to score a similar goal like the first as it ended 2-0.
Nigeria lacked quality in the midfield and the final third as the best chance for the Super Eagles came through Victor Moses in the first half whose shot was parried wide.
Uzoho for the second match running posted a fantastic performance as he made series of saves denying the Serbians as the score remained 0-0 at half time.
Once again Mikel Obi was conspicuously missing in the Super Eagles team as the team could not produce the captain's cutting-edge in the match.
Nigeria who recorded an unimpressive 1-0 victory against Poland were well beaten by the eastern European nation in London.
Rohr has now tasted defeat for the second time as coach of the Green and White as the German will be going back to the drawing board to re-strategize.
Read our live updates of the encounter
FT NIgeria vs Serbia 0-2
90' Referee blows the final whistle as Gernot Rohr records his first defeat in the friendlies and his second as Super Eagles coach.
90' SUBSTITUTION! Tadic comes off for Maksimovic
88' SUBSTITUTION! Iwobi comes out for Junior Ajayi , while Filip Kostic comes out for Mijat Gacinovic
86' A corner for Nigeria as the cross flashes wide with nobody to get the needed touch.
84' John Ogu and Mitrovic get involved in a scuffle but tempers have gone down as both players have been shown a yellow card.
82' The Serbians have been operating from the right side of the Nigerian defence where both goals came from.
81' Lovely work from Tadic as he finds Mitrovic clear in goal who side foots the ball into the net.
81' GOOOOAAAAAL!
78' SUB Zivkovic comes in Marco Grujic
78' The Nigerian team struggling to get into rhythm as Serbian team take control of the match.
77' SUBSTITUTION Moses Simon comes on for Ogenyi Onazi
75' Serbia threaten the Nigerian goal again but well defended by Awaziem.
72' Serbia wins another corner from the left flank. Kolarov flicks it in but danger cleared by Nigeria.
68' Aleksandar Mitrovic finally finds the back of the net after the ball was pulled back from Kostic on the left as he hits it first time to give Serbia the deserved lead.
68' GOOOOOAAAAAL!
66' Nigeria vs Serbia 0-0.
63' Two chances in quick succession for Igahlo as the Serbian keeper blocks his shot to give Nigeria the corner.
63' Nice build up from the Super Eagles down the left as Ebuehi crosses to Ighalo who goes for the spectacular bicycle kick but misses by a whisker.
61' Musa paces down the left but his cross was too strong for Ighalo as the ball flashes wide from the Serbian goal.
60' Both teams are lacking quality from the final third of the attack as the match remains goalless.
59' CHANCE! Ivanovic could not get the vital touch on the ball as Uzoho comes out to collect easily.
57' Tadic breaks down the right as Ahmed Musa gives a covering clearance to hand Serbia the corner kick. The corner quickly taken but headed away by Troost-Ekong.
55' The Super Eagles are creating chances but crosses from both flanks lack quality to assist the former Watford man Ighalo.
53' The score remains deadlock as we await the first goal of the match at The Hive stadium.
52' Ighalo was found in the box but was just an inch offside as he attempts to shoot on goal.
50' Lovely cross into the box to Mitrovic but he could not direct his effort towards goal as the referee signals a goal kick.
49' Horrible mistake by Ebuehi as Hostic takes advantage from outside the 18-yard box but his shot does not trouble Uzoho in goal.
46' The second half is underway as Serbia quickly launches the ball into the Nigerian half to start the half on an attacking note.
46' SUBSTITUTION Odion Ighalo comes on for Victor Moses before the kick off.
HT Nigeria vs Poland 0-0.
45' Referee blows the whistle for half time.
45' Serbia wins a corner by Mitrovic. Tadic plays the corner but the ball hits a Nigerian defender to go into touch.
42' The score remains goalless but an entertaining affair with end-to-end stuffs from both sides.
41' Serbia on the attack and the shot hits the side netting as the Super Eagles breathe a sigh of relief.
40' Musa races down the right and finds Moses outside the box but dispossessed by Serbia
38' Nigeria have taken control of the match as every touch from the Super Eagles is cheered by the fans in London.
36' Ahmed Musa wins a free kick as the ball is driven in into the box but Serbia clears for a throw.
35' Moses' low drive comes against the Serbian wall but another chance for the Chelsea winger is blaster over.
34' Lovely piece of skill by Moses as he wins a free kick just outside the 18-yard box to hand Nigeria a scoring chance.
31' Serbian attacks through Matic but shoots well over the ball as Nigeria have the goal kick
29' Lovely piece of skill from Ndidi but was brought down to hand the advantage to the Super Eagles.
28' Mistake from Troost-Ekong but Uzoho comes out to save Nigeria's blushes.
28' Nice interchange play from Moses to Iwobi who shoots wide as the ball did not threaten the goalkeeper.
25' CHANCE! Tadic could have got the opening goal but a fine reflex save from Uzoho again keeps the match even.
24' Still 0-0 at The Hive
22' Ndid flicks the ball to Iwobi who shot the ball against a defender as the Super Eagles are becoming livelier.
21' Nigerian fans cheer their team at The Hive stadium.
20' So far the Serbian side have been the better team as they are in full control of the match.
17' Super Eagles clear their lines once again, lucky escape for the boys in Green.
17' Serbia have another corner to be taken by Dusan Tadic.
13' The ball seems to have gone over the line as scores remains 0-0.
13' Uzoho scrambles the ball from the goal line to avoid Nigeria going behind.
12' Mitrovic pulls a fine save from Uzoho.
8' Early days yet in this game but it is Serbia asking all the questions, as Francis Uzoho makes a good save there to keep the scoreline goalless at The Hive.
5' Serbia have had the bigger chunk of possession so far. They are springing the passes quite well while the Super Eagles are still trying to get their hold of the game.
3' Serbia gets first corner kick of the game. Former Chelsea player Ivanovic finds Llajic with a long ball but Ebuehi chases him down and concedes a corner.
1' The game is underway as Nigeria are rocking their stylish light green and white short while Serbia are in their tradition red.
NIGERIA XI vs Serbia: Uzoho; Ebuehi, Troost-Ekong, Idowu, Awaziem; Ndidi, J. Obi, Onazi (c), Iwobi, Moses, A. Musa
Serbia XI vs Nigeria: Stojkovic, Rukavina, Ivanovic, Nastasic, Kolarov, Matic, Milivojevic, Tadic, Kostic, Ljajic, Mitrovic
English Premier League referee Craig Pawson will be in charge of Nigeria vs Serbia tonight at the Hive.
Read our preview below
- Nigeria square up against Serbia in a pre-World Friendly encounter at The Hive
- Captain Mikel Obi confirms he will not be available for the match in London
- Both World Cup bound teams will be playing in Group D and E respectively in Russia
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Serbia at The Hive stadium in London, home to English League Two side Barnet.
It will be the first time Nigeria will be playing against the eastern European nation and it promises to an explosive encounter when both teams trade tackles.
Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic are players familiar with the likes of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses during their spells in Chelsea.
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Super Eagles captain confirmed he will not be available for the warm-up match against the Serbians through his Instagram handle.
“Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control I will not be on the field for our game v Serbia tomorrow. I am sad, and frustrated, but giving my full support to the team for another WIN!.”
Gernot Rohr's side recorded a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Poland courtesy of a Moses penalty in the second half after he was adjudged to have been brought down in the box.
Nigeria last lost a friendly in 2015 when the team fell by 2-0 to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and ever since the team have been unbeaten in friendlies since the German coach took over.
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In November 2017, the Green and White men posted an emphatic 4-2 victory over the Argentine national side as the win drew attention from fans and pundits around the world.
Eva Banega and Sergio Aguero put the South Americans ahead in the match but a Kelechi Iheanacho's free kick, an Alex Iwobi's brace and Bryan Idowu's goals were enough to secure the emphatic victory.
Nigeria will be playing in Group D which comprises Argentina, Iceland and Croatia while Serbia have be tagged to Group E which houses Brazil, Costa Rica and Switzerland.
Date: Tuesday, March, 27
Venue: The Hive Stadium, London
Time: 8pm Nigerian time
Russia 2018: Nigerians predict Super Eagles chances at the World Cup - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
