Substitute Akor Adams scored a late equaliser as Eric Chelle’s second-string Super Eagles side gave a good account of themselves in a 3-3 draw against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday evening, reports www.aclsports.com.
The fixture, used to prepare the U23 side ahead of next month’s U23AFCON qualifiers, saw Eric Chelle hand several inexperienced players starting roles for the international friendly.
Goalkeeper Samuel James was preferred in goal, with Abdullahi Bewene, who was impressive in the friendlies back in June, given the nod at right back, while Emmanuel Fernandez and Benjamin Fredrick were in central defence. Ikorodu City midfielder Aderemi Adeoye was the only player from the NPFL handed a start, as the experienced duo of Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho started upfront.
Russia got the sight of goal early on through Danil Krugovoy, but it was Nigeria who took the lead in the 10th minute. In-form Iheanacho unleashed an effort from just outside the box to put the Super Eagles in front, but Nigeria barely threatened again, as the hosts went close multiple times before the half-hour mark.
The hosts eventually found the well-deserved equaliser in the 30th minute after their high press forced a mistake from Nigeria. Matvey Kislyak, after winning possession in the Nigerian box, set up Lechi Sadulaev, who fired past Samuel James to make it 1-1. In first-half stoppage time, Russia went in front for the first time when Kislyak fired into goal for a halftime lead.
In a bid to freshen up the team, Chelle introduced Akor Adams and Abdullahi Umar for Stephen Michael and Iheanacho at the break. However, it was Russia who extended their lead in the 54th minute. Kislyak was at it again, as he set up Aleksey Miranchuk for a cool finish to make it 3-1.
Substitute Peter Edokpolor, who came on after Nigeria conceded again, cut onto his right foot and produced a powerful finish to drag Nigeria back into the contest at 3-2, and they went in search of the equalizer. Deep into stoppage time, Umar and Adams combined for Nigeria’s third goal to make it 3-3 and end the contest as a stalemate.
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the double header against Tanzania in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers in November. In the same window, the U23 Eagles will be up against DR Congo in the second round of qualification to the U23 AFCON – a qualifying tournament to the 2028 Olympics.
