By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Saudi Arabia in a friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Friday.
Saudi Arabia started the game on the strong foot moving the ball around with confidence.
The Super Eagles soon settled down and came close to taking the lead on nine minutes but Mohammed Alowais prevented Victor Boniface’s shot from reaching Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen shot wide from inside the box after he was set up by a brilliant Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross.
Jose Peseiro’s continued their dominance with Samuel Chukwueze wasting a good chance to put the Super Eagles ahead just after the half hour mark.
Francis Uzoho produced a fine save to deny Nasser Aldawsiri eight minutes before the break.
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman wasted Nigeria’s best chance of the half, shooting wide after he was set up by Chukwueze.
Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini made a double substitution after the break and his side took control of the game afterwards.
Salman Al Faraj gave the Green Falcons the lead on the hour mark.
The Super Eagles battled back with Abduleleh Al Amri diverting Moses Simon’s cross into his own net in the 73rd minute. READ ALSO:
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Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho gave Super Eagles the lead for the first time in the game in the 81st minute.
Saudi Arabia levelled from a deflected free kick deep into stoppage time.
The Super Eagles will take on the Mambas of Mozambique in their next friendly on Monday.
