The draw brings Nigeria’s unbeaten run under Chelle to 19 matches.
Emmanuel Fernandez marked his first start for the Super Eagles with a goal, but Alex Iwobi’s late red card for violent conduct overshadowed Nigeria’s performance as Eric Chelle’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by Jordan in their second friendly of the international break in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria made six changes from the side that beat Iran 2-1 on Friday, with debutant Yira Sor handed a starting berth in attack alongside Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams. Fernandez, who had come off the bench to earn his first cap against Iran, was handed his first start and was partnered at centre-back by Igoh Ogbu, with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi operating as full-backs.
Francis Uzoho started in goal in place of the injured Maduka Okoye, while Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka formed the midfield partnership, with Iwobi and captain Wilfred Ndidi among those named on the bench.
Jordan made the brighter start and took the lead in the 17th minute through Mousa Tamari, who finished off a well-worked free-kick routine with a long-range effort to give the home side the advantage. Nigeria had been close to levelling moments later when Onyedika fired goalward after a brilliant run from Simon, only for the effort to clip Akor Adams on its way in and be ruled out for offside.
The Super Eagles restored parity in the 26th minute through Simon, who was in the right place at the right time after Lookman’s shot was blocked. The FC Paris winger controlled the loose ball with his chest and dispatched a superb half-volley into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many games.
Nigeria then took the lead just before half-time when Osayi-Samuel’s teasing cross from the right was not dealt with by the Jordanian defence. The ball dropped to Fernandez at the back post, and the Rangers defender, unmarked and composed, controlled before slotting home with his left foot to make it 2-1. It was a moment the 25-year-old will not forget, scoring on his first start in only his second appearance for the country he only recently committed to after switching allegiance.
The second half brought fresh complications for Chelle. Uzoho went down after attempting a clearance in the 57th minute, appearing to suffer a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Adebayo Adeleye. Two minutes later, Chelle rang the changes further, withdrawing debutant Sor and Onyedika and introducing Iwobi and Ndidi to shore up the midfield.
Despite those changes, Jordan drew level in the 77th minute when substitute Mohammad Al-Daoud, who had been on the pitch for just two minutes, finished with composure after a fine cross from Noor Al-Rawabdeh to make it 2-2.
Chelle responded immediately, sending on Samuel Chukwueze for Simon and handing Philip Otele his debut in place of Onyeka in the 81st minute as Nigeria searched for a late winner. The changes failed to produce the desired effect, and the evening ended on a sour note when Iwobi was shown a red card for violent conduct in the second minute of stoppage time, a dismissal that is likely to generate significant discussion despite Nigeria’s overall display.
