Home-based Eagles lose 0-2 to World Cup-bound Costa Rica in friendly game last night

NIGERIA'S home-based Eagles succumbed to a 0-2 loss to Costa Rica last night in a friendly match played at the National Stadium in the Central American nation's capital San Jose in what was one of their last warm-up matches before the World Cup.

Costa Rica, one of the four North and Central American countries that will play in Qatar alongside Canada, Mexico and the US, needed this game as part of its preparations for the World Cup that starts later this month. They have a very tough World Cup campaign having been grouped with Germany, Spain and Japan in Group E.

Yesterday, the Costa Ricans secured a morale-boosting win thanks to goals in either half by Oscar Duarte and Kendall Waston. Led by local coach Salisu Yusuf, the home-based Eagles put up a good fight against the Costa Ricans but the difference in quality, especially in attack, as Nigeria failed to really threaten the Central Americans.

Former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell showed quick thinking to set up the exciting Duarte, who then beat goalkeeper Kayode Bankole with a firm finish to get the curtain raiser. After going behind, the Eagles held firm until the halftime break and then grew in confidence in the second half before the second goal took the winds off their sail.

For the second goal, Campbell was the provider one more time, setting up Waston to double Costa Rica’s advantage in the 73rd minute and power Costa Rica to their fourth win in their last five games. Nigeria will return to action on November 17 when they engage another World Cup-bound team and former European champions Portugal in Lisbon.