14 July 2011
Ten-man Flying Eagles of Nigeria drew 0-0 with their Portuguese counterparts on Wednesday at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon.
Defender Felix Odoh was sent off in the 59th minute for a professional foul.
Goalkeeper Gideon Gambo would however save the resulting penalty taken by Sergio Oliveira.
Portugal controlled this warm-up tie especially in the first half in a rather bruising encounter.
In the 28th minute, goalkeeper Kazeem Yekeen made a point blank save off Nelson Oliveira.
There was another scare for the Flying Eagles five minutes after the break but it also came to nothing.
Portugal also created another opening but Alex blazed over the net in front of an empty goal.
Standard Liege’s Kenneth Omeruo was skipper and was outstanding in the heart of the back four against a desperate Portuguese side, who have drawn their last three games now.
Nigeria made as many as seven changes in the 52nd minute as the Nigerian attack got some bite.
Late on, substitute Omo Ojabu came close to scoring for Nigeria.
The Flying Eagles will now have to sweat on the fitness of Egbedi Edafe, who injured his right hand, and goalkeeper Gambo, who copped an ankle injury and had to be replaced by Danjuma Paul in the 77th minute.
Both teams will clash again next week Wednesday in Panama.
Belgium-based defender Jamiu Alimi also aggravated his thigh strain during warm-up and he is very much out of reckoning for a place in the final 21-man squad to be announced Friday.
July 13 at Estadio Nacional, Lisbon
Portugal (0) 0 Nigeria (0) 0
Ref: Duarte Gomes (Portugal)
Expulsion: Felix Odoh 59
Portugal – Mika – Pele, Tiago Ferreira, Nuno Reis (Captain), Nelson Oliveira – Cedric (Mario Rui), Luis Martins, Danilo (Ricardo Dias), Sergio Oliveira (Julio Alves), Rafael Lopes (Alex)
Coach: Ilidio Vale
Nigeria – Kazeem Yekeen(Gideon Gambo 52)(Danjuma Paul 77) – Chiemezie Mbah, Felix Odoh, Gbenga Arokoyo (Gani Ogunbe 52), Kenneth Omerou (Captain) – Philemon Daniel (Onazi Ogenyi 52), Abduljaleel Ajagun, Egbedi Edafe (Sani Tahir 52), Terry Envoh (Chidi Osuchukwu 52) – Bright Ejike (Omo Ojabu 52), Uche Nwofor (Sani Emmanuel 52)
Coach: John Sam Obuh
Continued here:
10-man Flying Eagles held