Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday evening came from a goal down to earn a respectable 2-2 draw against the home-based Algerian national team side in a test game ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against the main Desert Foxes side reports Prime Business Africa.
The game was played behind closed doors with no fans on attendance.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKarim Aribi scored the only goal of the first half but two goals by Alex Iwobi and Cyreil Dessers after the Algerians went 2-0 up ensured Jose Peseiro and his team restored parity.
The Eagles head coach handed unofficial debuts to the duo of midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Lobi Stars left back Ebube Duru with returning goalkeeper Maduka Okoye making a return to the team since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Eagles home-based team were originally billed to play their counterparts but the team coached by Salisu Yusuf failed to pick a ticket to the tournament which Algeria will host in February 2023.
Many Super Eagles players pulled out of the game due to injuries including skipper Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Henry Onyekuru.
Algeria and Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after defeats to Cameroon and Ghana respectively in the Playoffs in March.
Nigeria will play against Portugal on November 17 before the World Cup starts three days later.
The starting eleven for the game were; Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Valentine Ozornwafor, Ebube Duru, Chidozie Awaziem, Frank Onyeka, Chidera Ejuke, Raphael Onyedika, Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi.
The last time both teams faced off was the third place final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Algeria’s first team consisting of the likes of Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez are playing against Guinea in another re arranged friendly match as at the time of filing this report.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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