A 93rd minute goal bundled in by Venezia of Italy striker, Akor Jerome Adams saved Nigeria from defeat and fetched another draw away to Russia in a pulsating international friendly that ended 3-3, Sports247 reports.
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A 10th minute opening goal by Bursaspor of Turkey attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho and debut strike by Edokpolor Peter came earlier for the Eagles, as a largely third-string Nigerian aquad battled against all oddds to hold their hosts once again, as they did in a 1-1 draw last year.
This time, the Super Eagles entered Tuesday’s game at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium with strong determination to make up for a 3-0 loss away to Guinea-Bissau exactly a week earlier in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Their aspirations appeared on course when Iheanacho made the best of his recall to the Nigerian squad to knock home his 14th international goal and mark a personal lift to his morale, but the team was deflated 20 minutes later.
That came when loose defending among the Nigerian back-four allowed Lechii Safulaev sneak in behind to slot home a low shot beyond debuting goalkeeper, Samuel James.
The 20-year-old former Mavlon FC of Lagos shot-stopper, who is now growing through the ranks at SJK Akatemia of Finland, would be beaten for the second time just before the interval, as Matvey Kislyak hit target two minutes into added time to put Russia back in control.
Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle tried to get his team back into reckoning by sending on Adams on in place of Iheanacho alongside Abubakar Umar just before the restart, but it was Russia who struck again.
Russia’s third goal of the night came after more confusion in the heart of the Eagles’ defence, featuring Benjamin Fredrick and Emmanuel Fernandez, as Alexey Miranchuk pounced on a deflected shot to slam home beyond James.
However, the rain of goals was not over yet, as Adams took over Nigeria’s captain’s arm band when heavily bandaged Moses Simon bowed out and Peter struck on his debut, after which the equaliser came just in the nick of time.
