Ramy Bensebaini’s fifth minute strike gave the African champions Algeria 1-0 lead in the first half of at the Worthesee Stadium, Klagenfurt, Austria international friendly on Friday.
Bensebaini poked home from close range after the Eagles defence failed to clear their lines from a corner kick.
Subsequently, the Algerians were clearly the better side in the friendly tie, as the Eagles largely strived for pace, and stability following the absence of midfield duo Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo.
The defeat was the 11th the Eagles have suffered under coach Gernot Rohr and It also ended their five-match unbeaten run of three wins and two draws, since they lost to Algeria in the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Everton forward Alex Iwobi had the Eagles’ best chance in the 21st-minute with a long range effort that went just wide.
In the 35th minute, Paul Onuachu’s flick off a cross from Zaidu Sanusi narrowly missed target.
Said Benhrama and Andy Delort were at the forefront of the Desert Foxes’ onslaught, with the later forcing a brilliant save from the impressive Maduka Okoye with a 25-yard free-kick early on.
After the interval, the Eagles failed to record a single short on target, as the Algerians dominated the game.
Okoye made a smart save to deny Farid Bolaya a goal.
The 21-year-old keeper made four fantastic saves including palming away a dangerous effort at the near post.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria coach Rohr will have some positives to take home.
Sparta Rotterdam keeper Okoye will definitely stake a claim for the team’s number one position with his saves against the desert foxes of Algeria.
Returning right-back Tyrone Ebuehi was also impressive in Klagenfurt.
Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma, Sanusi Zaidu, Samson Tijani and Frank Onyeka.
Gernot Rohr’s men will trade tackle with Tunisia in their next international friendly match on Tuesday at the Jacques Lemmans Arena.
