Swiss preparations hit by Taiwo blow

Switzerland 0-1 Nigeria

Degen blow
Jakob Kuhn's team have suffered defeats by Japan and the United States in the past three months, while beating the likes of the Netherlands, but any questions among the 12,700 at the ground about what was store were soon answered in Zurich. Already shorn of several key players, Kuhn lost the services of right-back Philipp Degen on eight minutes and it set the tone for an evening that was compounded when Taiwo rifled in a beautiful shot late on.

Ejide saves
Hakan Yakin presented Switzerland's most lively attacking presence, going close to breaking the deadlock on six minutes. Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide stood up well, however, and denied the Swiss playmaker again just after half-time. Even when he was beaten by a Ludovic Magnin effort, Onyekachi Okonkwo, who plys his trade in Switzerland with FC Zürich, came to his rescue as the game opened up. Johan Djourou squandered the home team's best chance just before the hour and it proved costly as Nigeria, who only really had a long-range shot from Dickson Etuhu to show for their endeavour, claimed victory through Taiwo.