Super Eagles of Nigeria played a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in an international friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portugal on Friday night.
The Nigerian side had clawed back from a goal down in the second half, drawing level from an Al-Amri own goal and a perfect strike from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho. But a late equaliser from Kanno ensured that Jose Peseiro’s men shared the spoils in Saudi coach, Roberto Mancini’s first game in charge.
The match was played a day after the Eagles were drawn group A of the African Cup of Nations 2023 alongside host, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
Peseiro showed his attacking intent, starting the pair of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface upfront but their presence mattered little as there were only half chances to score during the first half.
Perhaps the biggest chance of the half came late on when Ademola Lookman, sent through by Samuel Chukwueze, could only send his effort wide.
The Saudis became more intent at the restart knocking on their opponent’s defence. Their troubles finally paid off at the hour mark in the most bizarre of manner for Nigeria.
Al-Faraj whips in a corner from the right-hand side and instead of Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho to parry the ball off, he deflected it into his goal.
Eagles found the equaliser, thirteen minutes later after Moses Simon pulled in for Victor Boniface who poked in and deflected off Al Amri for an own goal. The Eagles went ahead through Kelechi Iheanacho whose strike on the edge of the box found the extreme of Saudi goal.
