Moses Simon and Akor Adams scored in either half as Nigeria’s Super Eagles edged Iran’s Team Melli 2-1 in an international friendly in Antalya, Turkey on Friday, recording their second victory in three clashes with the Asian side, having drawn the other.
Played at the Corendon Airlines Park, the result extended the Super Eagles’ unbeaten run in regular time to eight matches and boosted morale ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, despite the absence of injured duo Victor Osimhen and Calvin Bassey.
Nigeria came out with intent from the first whistle. Samuel Chukwueze was the catalyst, spotting Simon in space and delivering a precise pass. The Paris FC winger, earning his 96th senior cap, drove into the penalty area and dispatched a powerful right-footed shot into the near post, giving Nigeria the lead in the sixth minute.
Coach Eric Chelle’s side dominated large swathes of the first half, showing the attacking fluency that has characterised his tenure, but they were unable to add to their advantage before the break. Iran, anchored by a midfield that found it difficult to break through Wilfred Ndidi, offered little threat going forward.
At the start of the second half, Chelle introduced debutant Emmanuel Fernandez in place of Semi Ajayi, and the tactical switch did little to slow Nigeria’s momentum. Six minutes after the restart, Ademola Lookman threaded a clever pass into the path of Adams, who composed himself and slotted past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Another debutant, Chibuike Nwaiwu — a late call-up following Bassey’s withdrawal — also came on, replacing Igoh Ogbu at the back in the 57th minute.
Iran responded in the 66th minute when Mehdi Taremi capitalised on a lapse in Nigeria’s defensive concentration to pull one back and set up a tense closing phase.
A second Taremi effort that appeared to level matters was ruled out for a handball in the build-up, preserving Nigeria’s lead.
Chelle responded with a triple substitution in the 69th minute, sending on Paul Onuachu, Chidera Ejuke, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for Chukwueze, Adams, and Simon respectively.
Frank Onyeka also came on late, replacing Lookman, as Nigeria calmly managed the game to its conclusion.
The victory is Nigeria’s second-ever win over Iran, with their only previous triumph coming at the Carlsberg Cup in Hong Kong in 1998, courtesy of a goal by Ahmed Garba.
The two sides also met at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the game ended goalless.
Nigeria’s next assignment is a friendly against Jordan on March 31, a side that holds the distinction of being the only Middle Eastern team to have beaten the Super Eagles.
