Super Eagles Held to A Draw By Ukraine in A Thrilling International Friendly

The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in a friendly encounter at the Dnipro Arena on Tuesday.

Debutant, Joe Aribo put the Super Eagles ahead in the fourth minute following an enterprising display of skills by Samuel Kalu

Kalu dazzled the Ukraine defence with his piece of skills before passing the ball to Alex Iwobi who assisted Aribo to break the deadlock.

Three minutes after the hour-mark, the Super Eagles doubled their lead with Lille star Victor Osimhen scoring his first goal for the three-time African champion to further silence the the home fans inside the Dnipro Arena.

The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after Kalu was tripped inside the box by Eduard Sobol and Victor Osimhen stepped forward to convert the resultant spot kick.

Ukraine finally broke the Super Eagles resistance in the 78th minute, thanks to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s brilliant movement and finish.

A minute later – 79th minute, Roman Yaremchuk netted a controversial hand-aided goal to draw the hosts level, and both teams both sides battled to end it in stalemate in Dnipro.

Ukraine 2 – 2 Nigeria (0: 2): Match Stats

Goals: Zinchenko (78th), Yaremchuk (79th) – Aribo (4th), Osimhen (34th, pen.).

UKRAINE LINEUP: Lunin – Sobol, Matvienko, Burda, Karavayev, Malinovsky (Shepelev, 73rd), Zinchenko, Kovalenko (Buyalsky, 67th), Tsygankov (Konoplyanka, 73rd), Yarmolenko (capt) (Marlos, 58th), Moraes (Yaremchuk, 37th) ).

Subs Not Used: Pankov, Pyatov, Bolbat, Krivtsov, Plastun, Mykolenko, Bezus.

Coach: Andriy Shevchenko.

NIGERIA LINEUP: Francis Uzoho – Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong (capt) (Chidozie Awaziem, 87th), Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Joe Aribo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Samuel Chukwueze (Emmanuel Dennis, 82nd), Alex Iwobi (Anderson Esiti, 70th), Samuel Kalu (Moses Simon, 73rd), Victor Osimhen (Josh Maya, 90th +1).

Subs Not Used: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Maduka Okoye, Paul Onuachu, Brian Idowu, Kelechi Iheanacho.

Coach: Gernot Rohr.

Referee: Paolo Valeri (Italy).
Yellow card: Victor Osimhen (84).