International Friendly: Nigeria Plays 2-2 Against Saudi Arabia

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria missed out on the chance to get a first friendly win after Saudi Arabia scored a last-gasp equaliser to hold them to a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Friday evening.

The Green Falcons had taken the lead in the hour-mark via Salman Al Faraj after goalkeeper Francis Uzoho mishandled a corner kick, flicking the ball into his own net.

But just 13 minutes later, following a quick counterattack, Abdulelah Alamri deflected Victor Boniface’s strike to level scores for the Super Eagles.

Jose Peseiro’s side looked to be heading for a dramatic victory after Kelechi Iheanacho put them ahead with nine minutes remaining, but his goal was not enough for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles conceded a freekick on the edge of the box deep into added time. Mohammed Kanno’s strike deflected off a Nigerian player to give Roberto Mancini’s side a draw.

Nigeria will now play Mozambique in another friendly match on Monday as the team prepare for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.