Bunmi Ogunyale
A brace from Aleksandar Mitrović was all Serbia needed to hand Nigeria a two-nil defeat in a friendly at the Hive, Barnet FC Stadium, Canons Park, London yesterday.
The former Newcastle forward grabbed both goals in the second half of the tie. Nigeria’s Manager, Gernot Rohr opted for Chidozie Awsziem in place of injured Leon Balogun. The defender failed a late fitness test. He is suspected to be nurs- ing a knee injury from the Poland match on Friday.
The gaffer also introduced Tyronne Ebuehi, Ahmed Musa and Ogenyi Onazi in the Nigeria’s starting line up.
Serbia began on the front foot with Eagles struggling for composure and coordination.
In the 36th minutes, Nigeria survived an anxious moment, after Serbian striker’s header was presumed to have crossed the goal line, but the referee overruled it.
The trio of Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi were close to putting Nigeria ahead, but they were thwarted by the Serbia defence. The first half ended barren.