Al-Nashama force 10-man Super Eagles to stalemate with last-gasp goal

Posted : 01 April 2026

Jordan’s senior national team, Al-Nashama, fought back late to secure a 2-2 draw against a 10-man Super Eagles side in an entertaining international friendly at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey.

The encounter, which rounded off Nigeria’s March international window, delivered intensity, drama, and late controversy as both sides tested their depth and resilience.

Jordan, ranked 64th in the world and in impressive recent form, struck first in the 17th minute. A cleverly executed set-piece routine caught the Nigerian defence napping, allowing Mousa Tamari to fire home and give Al-Nashama the early advantage.

Nigeria responded swiftly and thought they had equalised just six minutes later when Raphael Onyedika finished off a neat cut-back from Moses Simon. However, the goal was ruled out, much to the frustration of the Super Eagles.

Undeterred, Nigeria found their breakthrough in the 30th minute. Captain for the night, Moses Simon, marked his 97th appearance in style, reacting quickest after Ademola Lookman’s effort was blocked to slot home the equaliser.

The Super Eagles completed the turnaround before halftime. Bright Osayi-Samuel delivered a precise cross that was expertly controlled and finished by debutant Emmanuel Fernandez, who showed composure beyond his experience to hand Nigeria a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

The second half, however, saw momentum shift. In the 57th minute, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was forced off due to injury and replaced by Adebayo Adeleye. Shortly after, coach Eric Chelle introduced Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi to stabilise the midfield.

Iwobi’s appearance marked his 98th cap, but the game would later take a sour turn for him. As Jordan increased the pressure, their persistence paid off in the 77th minute with a well-worked equaliser that brought them level at 2-2.

Nigeria made further changes, handing a senior debut to Philip Otele, while Samuel Chukwueze replaced Moses Simon in attack. Despite pushing for a late winner, the Super Eagles were dealt a blow when Alex Iwobi received a straight red card in the closing stages, reducing them to 10 men.

Jordan held firm to secure the draw, demonstrating their growing competitiveness on the international stage.

While the result denied Nigeria victory, the fixture provided valuable lessons for the coaching crew as the Super Eagles continue preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The stalemate in Antalya serves as a reminder of the fine margins in international football and the need for defensive discipline throughout the full 90 minutes. As the team regroups, the focus will shift toward integrating new talents like Fernandez and Otele into the core squad for upcoming competitive fixtures.

Al-Nashama force 10-man Super Eagles to stalemate with last-gasp goal

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