Iheanacho(Senior Man) on target as Saudi Arabia hold Super Eagles to a draw

The Super Eagles of Nigeria played their first game of the October International break on Friday 13th October,2023 against the Green Eagles of Saudi Arabia coached by former Italy manager,Roberto Mancini.

Much was expected from the game as the Super Eagles started with a relatively strong lineup with blazing hot strikers,Victor Osihmen and Victor Boniface starting up top in a 4-4-2 formation as brought up by Portuguese gaffer,Jose Peseiro.

The Saudi Arabia side showed why they were the giant killers at the FIFA World Cup last year in Qatar as they came into the game with no fear or respect for the Super Eagles

The Super Eagles on the other hand were not fantastic in the first half as AC Milan winger Samuel Chuckwueze, Ademola Lookman and Tyrone Ebuehi all misfired for the Eagles.

The first half hence ended in a barren draw.

The second half however saw the game spark into life. Saudi Arabia took the lead through a fantastic in swinging freekick by Al faraj which went all the way into the goal post after a horrendous goalkeeping by Francis Uzoho who started in goal for Nigeria.

Nigeria however restored parity in the 73rd minute. Moses Simon played in a beautiful low cross off the left wing which Victor Boniface turned towards goal but was deflected in by Al Amri to put Nigeria level.

Leicester City striker,Kelechi Iheanacho thought he had won the game for the Super Eagles in the 80th minute after a beautiful strike into the top left corner giving the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper no chance but Mohammed Kanno had other ideas,making sure Saudi Arabia shared the spoils with Nigeria after a beautiful freekick again beyond Francis Uzoho.

The Green Eagles had a meagre three shots on target, scoring two as opposed to the Super Eagles of Nigeria who had five on target and converted only two of these.

The likes of Bright Osayi Samuel,Joseph Aribo and Moses Simon also saw some minutes in the entertaining draw as the Super Eagles set their sights on Monday’s game against Mozambique.