A Nigeria side made up largely of FIFA World Cup hopefuls
did little to impress as they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Scotland on
Wednesday.
In the first of three friendlies in the build-up to
Brazil, Stephen Keshi left the likes of Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel out
of the matchday squad against a Scotland side resurgent under Gordon Strachan.
Scotland are now six games unbeaten but were denied fifth
win in that run by Uche Nwofor's late equaliser at Craven Cottage.
Charlie Mulgrew gave them the lead 10 minutes in when he
produced a clever flick to divert James Morrison's long-distance effort over
Nigeria's second-choice goalkeeper Austin Ejide.
However, Nigeria were level four minutes before the break
when Michael Uchebo's effort from outside of the area was deflected in off
Grant Hanley.
Gordon Strachan's side were back in front early in the
second thanks to Azubuike Egwuekwe's own-goal but Nwofor pounced on sloppy
defending from Gordon Greer and Hanley to fire home.
It leaves Keshi with much to ponder ahead of friendlies
against Greece and the USA and their Group F opener against Iran in Curitiba on
June 16
Ikechi Anya went close early on, as he chested a long
ball down and shot across goal only for his effort to strike the post before
Uchebo's effort at the other end was saved - as he intercepted a careless pass
from Alan Hutton.
Mulgrew then produced a moment of magic as he managed to
flick Morrison's wayward effort over Ejide.
Shola Ameobi should have come closer to equalising but
could only spoon a free-kick over with Shaun Maloney next to hit an effort high
and wide from distance.
Scotland almost edged two goals ahead when Hanley headed
a ball in - only for the Blackburn Rovers defender to be denied by the
referee's whistle after he was adjudged to have fouled Ejide.
Hanley's misfortune continued before the interval as he
was the unlucky party to deflect Uchebo's strike past Allan McGregor.
However, Scotland restored their lead after the break
when Egwuekwe inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following Hutton's
cross.
Maloney thought he had extended their advantage when he
tapped home Hutton's delivery before the linesman flagged for offside.
Keshi introduced attacking trio Victor Moses, Peter
Odemwingie and Nwofor in the second half and it was the latter who drilled home
from an acute angle late in the game for Nigeria - who next face Greece in
Pennsylvania on June 3.
Culled from Soccerway
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