The Super Eagles of Nigeria edge past Iran 2-1 in an international friendly on Friday in Antalya, Turkey, www.aclsports.com reports.
Goals from Moses Simon and Akor Adams put Nigeria in the driving seat before former Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi pulled one back for Iran. However, Nigeria held on to win.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, in his side’s first outing since the AFCON tournament in Morocco back in January, named a relatively similar squad. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye came in between the sticks for Stanley Nwabali, who is absent, and Moses Simon started up front with Akor Adams. With Calvin Bassey also out, Semi Ajayi and Igoh Ogbu started at the heart of the backline.
It was Nigeria who made a fine start to the game when Samuel Chukwueze’s fine throughball found Moses Simon in the channel. The Paris FC man found his way into the box before shooting past the Iranian goalkeeper at the near post in the sixth minute.
Parity could have been restored about 12 minutes later when Bright Osayi Samuel was beaten easily, only for Bruno Onyemaechi to react quickly to clear the danger before the opposition got to finish into the net.
Meanwhile, Iwobi continued to impress in the game with his passing, as Nigeria could have doubled their lead through in-form Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams. The Atletico man was closed down quickly, while Adams’ shot could not trouble the opposition goalkeeper.
Just minutes after the break, Nigeria quickly grabbed a second to increase their tally. Lookman played a fine throughball to Adams, who finished beneath the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles’ second goal of the afternoon at Mardan Stadyumu in Antalya.
Meanwhile, Mehdi Taremi reacted quickest to a ball that came off the woodwork to pull one back for Iran minutes after the hour mark. In the end, Nigeria survived a late scare from their opponents to secure the win.
Super Eagles will now take on Jordan in their next friendly game on Tuesday.
