The much-anticipated international friendly between Nigeria and Iran passed by on Friday in an anti-climax, as the Super Eagles struggled to get a shaky 2-1 victory against the wartorn Middle East country.
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Sports247 reports that the Eagles initially appeared heading for an easy ride, when Paris FC of France winger, Moses Simon put Eric Sekou Chelle’s side 1-0 ahead after just six minutes of play in Antalya, Turkey.
However, the three-time African champions and bronze medalists from this year’s edition two months ago in Morocco struggled for form afterwards, as the absence of Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen seemed to affect their potency in goal.
However, Osimhen’s strike partner during the Eagles’ surge to bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations, Akor Adams somehow justified his role as Nigeria’s pointman for Friday’s game, when he slotted home the Eagles’ second goal of the afternoon in the empty arena of Antalya.
Astonishingly, though, barely had Nigeria’s celebrations settled on the Sevilla of Spain striker’s 51st minute goal then Team Melli from Tehran bounced back strong and their efforts paid off with a consolation goal by Taremi in the 67th minute.
That goal took the steam out of Chelle’s side and a spate of substitutions by the Franco-Malian tactician could not swing the game’s tempo back in Nigeria’s favour, but the Eagles gamely held on to eventually snatch a close-knit 2-1 win.
The victory will, however, give Chelle and his players some relaxed nerves and confidence heading into their second match of the four-nation competition in the countryside of Turkey, where they will play Jordan in another ‘Arabian Assault’ on Tuesday night in Antalya.
Eagles’ starting 11 – Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi Onyinye, Igor Ogbu, Semi Ajayi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Ademola Lukman.
