By Akinwale Kasali

 

A added time free kick from Mohammed Kanno was all the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia needed to force a 2-2 draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly at the Portimonese Stadium in Portugal.

The Coach Roberto Mancini tutored Saudi Arabian team took the lead in the 60th minute through a free kick from salman Al-Faraj which was misjudged by Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who parried it into his own net.

The Super Eagles were forced to make certain changes in the team by bringing in Bright Osayi Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon who pressurized the Saudi Arabia defense line and got the deserved equalizer following a superb inter play between Simon and Iwobi that resulted into an own goal from Abdulelah Al-Amri.

In the 81st minute, Iheanacho put the Super Eagles ahead with a superb shot that sent the few fans at the stadium into frenzy.

But the joy was shot lived following the late equalizer from the Saudi Arabia team.

Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro started the game with Francis Uzoho in goal, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey in the defense lineup.

Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze were in the midfield with Victor Osimhen and Victor Okoh Boniface in the attacking force.

Osimhen limped off in the 55th minute and was replaced by Terem Moffi, while Joe Ayodele-Aribo and Umar Sadiq came in for Boniface and Iwobi respectively.

The Super Eagles will file out against the Mambas of Mozambique in the next four days at the same Portimonese Stadium.