Nigeria’s Super Eagles claimed a fine 2-1 win over Iran in the first of two friendly games scheduled for Antalya, Turkey this March, Footynaija reports.
Moses Simon and Akor Adams were on target as the Super Eagles showed they can still deliver in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
With Nigeria missing arguably their best defender and striker in Calvin Bassey and Victor Osimhen respectively, there was some uncertainty about how the team would cope without those key players.
And with the Super Eagles not qualified for the World Cup, questions around motivation also lingered.
However, Nigeria showed no signs of a lack of intent or quality, starting the game on the front foot.
After creating a flurry of chances, the Super Eagles opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Simon. The Paris FC winger raced onto a clever pass from Samuel Chukwueze, shrugged off his marker, and fired into the bottom-left corner. It was his 11th goal for Nigeria in his 95th appearance.
Nigeria could have doubled their advantage soon after, as neat interplay between Alex Iwobi and Chukwueze set up Adams, but the Sevilla forward could only find the side netting from a tight angle.
Adams, however, made amends six minutes into the second half, finishing calmly after a brilliant through ball from Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman.
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Iran pulled one back through Olympiakos striker Mehdi Taremi, who reacted quickest to fire home a rebound after a corner caught the Super Eagles’ defence off guard.
Paul Onuachu, Lookman, and Chidera Ejuke all had half-chances to make the win more comfortable for Nigeria, but none were able to convert.
Up next, the Super Eagles face Jordan on Tuesday with a victory likely to see Nigeria win the invitational tournament.
