The international friendly match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia has ended in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portugal on Friday night.
Drawing level from an Al-Amri own goal and a perfect strike from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, Nigerian clawed back from a goal down in the second half.
Unfortunately, for the Eagles there was a late equaliser from Kanno which changed the score for Jose Peseiro’s men.
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.
Despite pairing and starting two powerful players of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface much impact was not made due to the few scoring chances that were created in the first half.
There was a breakthrough for the Eagles when Ademola Lookman, sent through by Samuel Chukwueze, sent his effort wide. But the Saudis were relentless in the defence of the Eagles which later produced result for Saudi, and the coach, Roberto Mancini who had his first game in charge.
A beautiful attempt was made by Al-Faraj who whiped in a corner from the right-hand side Francis Uzoho who could not parry the ball off, but deflected it into his goal.
The Eagles became more relentless with so much efforts to score and it paid off for them thirteen minutes later after Moses Simon pulled in for Victor Boniface who poked in and deflected off Al Amri for an own goal.
Kelechi Iheanacho came to the rescue with a goal for the Eagles after a strike on the edge of the Saudi box.
