“I’M smiling because it’s good for us to lose a game. If we win again today, some people would believe that we will be the world champions,” proclaimed Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr after last night’s defeat in a match where the coaches of both sides were left satisfied.

A hard-fought 2-0 win for Serbia over fellow World Cup qualifiers Nigeria at The Hive stadium followed criticism after their defeat last Friday against Morocco.

Serbia flung themselves at Nigeria from the start with a series of raking cross-field passes that resulted in several chances for Aleksandar Mitrovic. 

He was first denied by Francis Uzoko’s unconvincing parry, then a last ditch tackle by Bryan Idowu before another goalbound shot was deflected wide.

Mitrovic then thought he had headed Serbia into what would have been a deserved lead but despite wheeling away in celebration, referee Craig Pawson, without the aid of the Video Assistant Referee being utilised four miles down the road at Wembley, deemed that the ball had not crossed the line.

Sporting their eye-catching new World Cup kit for the first time, Nigeria eventually played their way into the game with a short-passing style that was more pleasing on the eye but yielded few clear-cut chances other than a couple of long-range efforts from Victor Moses.

In the second half, the game was more even but Serbia still created the better chances with Uzoho saving bravely from the feet of Adam Ljajic then more fortunately when Branislav Ivanovic failed to connect properly following a corner. 

Substitute Odion Ighalo then came closest for Nigeria, blazing over the bar before Mitrovic finally made an opportunity count in the 68th minute hooking home with his left foot. He then added a second nine minutes from time sliding home with his right from another left-wing cut back.

Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic congratulated Nigeria on a very “fair and correct match” before explaining how the pressure from the public in Serbia affected his team. 

“It was very hard to come back after the defeat against Morocco. Usually in a friendly match, the score is not the most important thing but in Serbia every match is looked upon as a final. The boys showed a lot of character.”

Since going on loan to Fulham from Newcastle last month, Mitrovic has scored seven goals in eight games for the Championship side. “He’s lucky to be coached by Jokanovic, a coach from Serbia who knows him very well,” said Krstajic.

“Mitrovic did a very good thing in choosing to come to Fulham. For me personally, it’s a great pleasure to have a player like Mitrovic in our squad because he is a killer up front — which he’s proved today.”