Nigeria force Senegal to 1-1 draw
Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow scored the opening goal for Senegal in the 53rd minute before Kelechi Iheanacho’s late penalty at the 81st minute cancelled it out as Nigeria forced Senegal in 1-1 draw an international friendly match played in London on Thursday, Extrasportsnigeria.com reports.
The start of the game was worrisome for Nigeria with Ogenyi Onazi suffering a serious injury early. Gerhot Rohr said after the game the full assessment had yet to be made concerning the injury. Leicester City winger Ahmed Musa had resigned as vice-captain just before kickoff with Onazi taking over.
Sow and Cheikh Ndoye rattled Daniel Akpeyi in goal for Nigeria in the first half. Even with the pressure from the Senegalese, Nigeria suffered further blow in the 25th minute, when Onazi was carried off and replaced by John Ogu.
Iheanacho’s soft shot in front of goal was Nigeria’s only major attempt in the first half.
Senegal then broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half. A surprise from the Senegalese was that Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was brought in only in the second half after the goal.
Nigeria will again face Burkina Faso on Monday at the same venue and time.