Iheanacho Comes To The Rescue Again As Nigeria Rally Late To Draw With Corsica

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the Corsica national football team in an international friendly staged at Stade François Coty in Ajaccio on Friday night.

The Islanders opened the scoring early in the first half when Cannes striker Jean-Jacques Mandrichi netted from the penalty spot, after referee Hamel Johan had awarded a penalty following a handball from ADO Den Haag wing-back Tyronne Ebuehi.

Eupen's Henry Onyekuru came close to netting the equalizer in the eighth minute after a magnificent pass from Musa, but couldn't finish with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

Nigeria dominated for a large part of the first half and carved out a couple of opportunities not converted by their offensive players.

Alhassan headed a close range chance over the bar and the Akwa United star star saw his effort saved again ten minutes before the interval.

Gernot Rohr's side were still in control in the second half. Substitute Stephen Odey forced goalkeeper Penneteau to make a save on the hour mark, before the Sporting Charleroi star prevented Iheanacho from finding the net few minutes later.

The equalizer finally came in the 80th minute when Etebo was tripped in the area to earn Nigeria a penalty, which was dispatched by Iheanacho for his sixth international goal in seven games.

Nigeria's final friendly on French soil before the African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa comes up in the capital on June 1 against Togo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Corsica Federation