Super Eagles settle for 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in friendly encounter

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were close to securing a victory, but a last-minute goal from Saudi Arabia forced them to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly match on Friday at Estadio Municipal de Albufeira, Portugal.

Victor Boniface made his debut for the Super Eagles, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho, and Wilfred Ndidi rejoined the squad after being absent from the World Cup qualifiers in September.

The first 45 minutes were dull, as neither team could break the deadlock. The Saudis dominated the ball, but the Nigerians were solid at the back and threatened on the break.

The second half was more entertaining, as both teams scored twice. The Green Falcons opened the scoring in the 60th minute when Uzoho spilled Salman Al-Faraj’s shot into his own net. The Super Eagles bounced back and levelled the score in the 73rd minute, when Boniface’s shot took a deflection off Abdulelah Alamri and wrong-footed the Saudi keeper.

The Nigerians then went ahead in the 80th minute when Iheanacho, who came on as a substitute, completed a stunning move involving Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze. The Leicester City star celebrated his 14th goal for his country and seemed to have given his team a much-needed win.

However, the Saudis had the last laugh and grabbed a late equaliser in the 100th minute, when Abdulaziz Al-Kanno bent a brilliant free-kick past Uzoho from the edge of the box. The referee ended the game shortly after, leaving the Super Eagles feeling bitter and disappointed.

The Super Eagles will hope to recover when they face Mozambique in another friendly match on Monday.