Nigeria national football team were held to a 2-2 draw by Jordan national football team in an international friendly played at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
The encounter marked the end of Nigeria’s March international window against the Jordanian side, currently ranked 64th in the world and preparing for the FIFA World Cup.
Jordan took an early lead in the 17th minute through Mousa Tamari, who converted a well-executed free-kick routine to stun the Super Eagles.
Nigeria thought they had equalised shortly after when Raphael Onyedika finished off a neat assist from Moses Simon, but the effort was ruled out in a controversial decision.
The breakthrough eventually came in the 30th minute, as Simon, captaining the side on his 97th appearance, reacted quickest to slot home after Ademola Lookman’s initial effort was blocked.
Nigeria completed the comeback just before halftime when Bright Osayi-Samuel delivered a precise cross to debutant Emmanuel Fernandez, who controlled well before firing home to give the Super Eagles a 2-1 advantage at the break.
The second half saw increased intensity, with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho replaced by Adebayo Adeleye following a clearance incident.
Head coach Eric Chelle made further changes, introducing experienced midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, the latter earning his 98th international cap.
Jordan’s persistence paid off in the 77th minute as they found the equaliser to make it 2-2.
Nigeria pushed for a winner, handing a senior debut to Philip Otele, while Samuel Chukwueze came on for Simon.
The closing moments turned dramatic as Iwobi was shown a straight red card, leaving Nigeria to finish the match with ten men as both sides settled for a draw.
