The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Iran 2-1 in their first match of the invitational four-nation tournament in Turkey.
Goals from Moses Simon and Akor Adams gave Nigeria a slim
victory over the Iranians at the Mardan Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya on
Friday.
The tournament is the Eagles’ first assignment since their
third-placed finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and also the
continuation of the team’s pride-restoring campaign following their failure to
qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Iran’s participation in the World Cup is still uncertain
following the country’s pulling out over the ongoing war with the US and
Israel. However, there have been reports that Iran is making a potential U-turn
amid talks with FIFA to move its World Cup game away from the US.
Hence, the Iranian national team continued to prepare for
the competition, but against a hurting Nigeria, their inadequacy was laid bare.
Despite the absence of Victor Osimhen and Calvin Bassey due
to injuries, the Eagles maintained the solid performance that earned them a
podium finish at the last AFCON.
Maduka Okoye returned to the team and the starting line-up.
The other new face in the eleven was Igoh Ogbu, replacing Bassey.
The Eagles wasted no time before bearing their talon. Simon
pulled the team ahead in the first six minutes. The strike was produced with
the signature move of FC Paris: drifting into the opponent’s box to collect the
ball, beating a defender with the drop of the shoulder, before wrapping his
boot around the ball and sending it low into the near post.
The second goal was also early in the second half. Ademola
Lookman spotted a space in the Iranian defence and sensed the run of Adams into
the channel. A clean pass through, and Adams chased the ball down before
toe-poking the ball underneath the goalkeeper.
Although Iran pulled one back, Nigeria held on for the
victory in front of an almost empty stadium.
The Eagles will play Jordan in their final match of the
tournament on Tuesday.
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