Benfica of Portugal youngster, Peter Edokpolor is relishing his stunning goal against Russia on Tuesday, as he helped Nigeria romp from 3-1 down to pull off a remarkable 3-3 draw.
Sports247 reports that the Super Eagles appeared heading for another heavy defeat, exactly a week after they lost 3-0 away to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, until Edokpolor struck.
The 20-year-old product of Abuja-based Galadima Football Academy, who only signed a long-term contract with Benfica at the start of last year, pulled Nigeria back into Tuesday’s game just eight minutes after going on in place of captain of the night, Moses Simon.
Edokpolor’s effort took him into the annals of Nigerian football as the latest player to score on his debut with the Super Eagles, a little over a week after George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor did the same in a 2-1 victory over Madagascar.
Other players with debut goals for Nigeria include Finidi George, Kenneth Zeigbo, Julius Efosa Aghahowa, Femi Opabunmi, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins, Stephen Ayodele Makinwa, Ekhigo Ehiosun, Brian Idowu and Femi Azeez.
Dramatically, a few minutes after Edokpolor struck, another player who previously scored on his senior debut, Akor Adams hit target in added time to pull Nigeria level and justify taking over the captain’s band from Simon, who bowed out with a head injury.
A report by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) noted in part: “Despite sending out a depleted side, Nigeria put up a credible showing to finish in a 3-3 draw with Russia in an international friendly match in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.
“The three-time African champions showed great character and commitment in a strong performance and tactical resolve, a youthful Super Eagles side twice came from behind to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw against Russia.
“Only six players in the starting 11 – viz Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Abdullahi Bewene, and Aderemi Adeoye – had previously featured for the three-time African champions.
“Peter Edokpolor made an instant impact off the bench. The youngster drove aggressively through the Russian defence before firing an unstoppable strike past the goalkeeper in the 78th minute to make it 3-2.”
Sports247 reports further that a total of nine players got debuts with the Super Eagles during Tuesday night’s friendly, which turned out to be a six-goal thriller and improvement on a 1-1 draw between both sides in Moscow on June 6th, 2025.
