By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
The Super Eagles staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Russia in an entertaining international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Nigeria made a bright start and took the lead in the 10th minute through Kelechi Iheanacho. The forward produced a superb 21-yard strike after being set up by Abdullahi Bewene to give Eric Chelle’s side an early advantage.
Russia responded in the 30th minute when Lechi Sadulaev found the equaliser, before Matvey Kislyak completed the hosts’ comeback shortly before half-time to put Russia 2-1 ahead.
Chelle made two changes at the break, introducing Akor Adams and Abubakar Umar for Michael Stephen and Iheanacho as Nigeria looked to turn the game around.
However, Russia extended their advantage in the 54th minute when Aleksey Miranchuk struck to make it 3-1, leaving the Super Eagles facing another disappointing result following their recent defeat to Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria refused to surrender, though, and pulled a goal back in the 78th minute through Peter Edokpolor.
The goal breathed new life into the Super Eagles, who continued to push forward in search of an equaliser.
Their persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time when Akor Adams found the net in the 94th minute to complete a dramatic comeback and secure a 3-3 draw.
The result spared Nigeria another defeat and provided a positive ending to a difficult September–October international window.
The Super Eagles had earlier defeated Madagascar 2-1 before suffering a 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
