A hugely improved Super Eagles were tonight forced to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia in a friendly preparatory to next month’s 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone.
This was by any standards an improvement on listless showing against African champions Algeria last week.
Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead after 21 minutes, when he held off his marker inside the box, turned sharply before he fired home.
It was his ninth goal for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria would have doubled their lead in the 29th minute, but Ben Mustapha saved Iheanacho’s penalty after the Tunisia goalkeeper had upended Ahmed Musa as he controlled a through ball by Alex Iwobi.
Drager Mohamed drew Tunisia level on 44 minutes for his first international goal after he was set up by the exciting Juventus U23 ace Hamza Rafiaa, who dribbled past Kenneth Omeruo inside the box.
Moments later, Kevin Akpoguma’s header was cleared off the line with the Tunisia goalkeeper beaten.
Genk striker Cyriel Dessers, who opted for Nigeria ahead of Belgium, made his long-awaited debut in the 72nd minute in place of Ahmed Musa.
There was also debut for CSKA Moscow forward Chidera Ejuke after coach Gernot Rohr made as many as five changes from the starting XI who fell 1-0 to Algeria – William Ekong, Frank Onyeka, Paul Onuachu, Samuel Kalu and Tyronne Ebuehi left out.
Again Nigeria started rather slowly and may even have conceded a penalty as early as the second minute but the referee turned a blind eye to the Tunisians’ appeal after a forward appeared to have been fouled by Moses Simon inside the box.
But the Super Eagles gradually found their feet and will go on to impose themselves on this friendly leading up to a deserved opening goal.
The second half swung from one end of the pitch to the other as both teams tried to dominate proceedings.
Zaidu was replaced in the 66th minute by Jamilu Collins after it appeared to have suffered a groin injury.
Goal scorer Iheanacho was booked in the 77th minute for a late tackle and soon after substitute Dessers’ chipped effort was cleared to safety.
Substitute Ejuke embarked on a mazy dribble run in the 82nd minute, but it eventually came to nought.
In the dying minutes, Eagles goalkeeper Okoye was forced to tip off for corner a dangerous effort delivered by goal scorer Drager.
Super Eagles vs Tunisia: Maduka Okoye – Zaidu Sanusi (Jamilu Collins 66), Kevin Akpoguma, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun (Chidozie Awaziem 57) – Semi Ajayi – Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze (Chidera Ejuke 78), Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho – Ahmed Musa (Cyriel Dessers 72)
