In a Friday night international friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in Portugal, the Nigeria Super Eagles and Saudi Arabia battled to a 2-2 draw.
After falling behind in the second half, the Nigerian team came back to tie the game on goals from Al-Amri’s own goal and replacement Kelechi Iheanacho. However, Jose Peseiro’s team was able to share the victory in Saudi coach Roberto Mancini’s inaugural match thanks to a late equaliser from Kanno.
The game was played the day after the African Cup of Nations 2023 group draw, which included the host nation, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface were started up front by Peseiro to signal his determination to attack, but their presence didn’t matter much because there weren’t many opportunities to score in the opening period.
According to jerrymusa.com Ademola Lookman, who had been set up by Samuel Chukwueze, missed perhaps the best opportunity of the half when he shot wide.
At the resumption, the Saudis were more determined to get past their opponent’s defence. At the hour mark, their struggles paid off in the strangest way possible for Nigeria.