Though, the Daniel Amokachi-led Eagles gave a good account of themselves, matching the Ivorians who paraded a full squad, including the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure.
The Eagles will now face Sudan in another friendly game Tuesday. Both teams are using the friendly match against the Super Eagles as build up to the 2015 African Cup of Nations, which begins on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, coach of the Golden Eaglets Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed dismay over the consistent failure of Nigerian players to win the prestigious African Footballer of the year award, blaming it on laziness.
Amuneke, who won the award in 1994 lamented in a chat with The Guardian Sunday that the players that make up the present Super Eagles squad are not ready to work hard and raise the standard of their game despite having the best facilities and environment to train in Europe.
He described the victory of Ivorian Yaya Toure last Thursday in Lagos as reflection of a student who works very hard every year to score good grades, notwithstanding the obstacles that come his way.
Amuneke added that Nigeria has what it take to produce African Footballer of the Year, but such can only be achieved if a well tailored programme is put in place to develop young talented footballers in the country.
The ex-Eagles winger revealed that hard work and commitment was the hallmark of his success during his playing days.
"Nigeria players are not eager to raise the standard of their game and that is the reason Yaya Toure will continue to win the Africa footballer of the year award. Our players need to take it as a big challenge.
"A lazy footballer can never reach his peak in football. Sentiments aside, Yaya Toure deserved to win the award. He has shown class and commitment in the game, which our players need to emulate," he said
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