Scotland’s Tartan Army drew 2-2 with African champions, Nigeria in an action-packed international friendly decided on Wednesday at Craven Cottage.
It was the second ever meeting between both nations at international level.
Nigeria started well with good pressing and neat possession but it took three minutes for the Super Eagles to carve their first real goal scoring opening.
Joel Obi smacked a half volley from the edge of the box which was deflected away for a corner.
The Scots however hit back immediately when Nigerian-born Ikechi Anya latched on to a long pass on the left but watched in despair as his low drive was helped on to Ejide’s left post via a Kunle Odunlami deflection as the Super Eagles heaved a collective sigh of relief.
In the 8th minute, a poor backward pass by Scotland captain, Scott Brown was latched on to by Michael Uchebo whose rasping drive was well smothered by goalkeeper, Allan McGregor.
Two minutes later, Scotland took the lead after a quickly taken corner from the left.
James Morrison was allowed time and space outside the box to take a shot at the Nigeria goal. It looked like the midfielder’s miscued effort was going wide but Charlie Mulgrew’s fortuitous unconventional effort completely hoodwinked Ejide in the Nigeria goal.
Missing their regular midfield starters; Ogenyi Onazi and Victor Moses, Nigeria looked anything but coordinated as Scotland dictated the pace with ease early on.
On 22 minutes, goal scorer, Mulgrew fouled Echiejile at the edge of the Scotland box and Nigeria had a chance to equalize from a the set piece.
Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi however shot appallingly from 20 odd yards as the chance went up in smoke.
Nigeria was trying to claw their way back into the contest as Uzoenyi tried an ambitious effort from inside the Scotland penalty area that went wide in the 26th minute.
Barely a minute later, Uzoenyi tried his luck again from distance but the effort was again off target.
Nigeria’ vulnerability from set pieces was again ruthlessly exposed just after the half hour mark when Grant Hanley rose highest to head home a corner.
The Super Eagles were however saved by the referee’s whistle as Lee Probert it was ruled that the Scot had impeded Ejide just before he scored.
Nigeria were almost 2-0 down after 39 minutes after Steven Naismith met a cross that beat Ejide but the Nigeria defence desperately scrambled as cleared off the ball off the line.
Nigeria were riding their luck and soon after, the Tartan Army were forced to rue their missed opportunities.
Cercle Brugge striker, Michael Uchebo picked up a pass from Ameobi just inside the Scotland half and hammered a shot from 25 yards which took a wicked deflection off Hanley and sped past McGregor as the Eagles stirred from hibernation.
Ameobi had a chance to give Nigeria the lead just before half time but he shot over with just McGregor to beat.
Four minutes after the break, Nigeria almost took the lead for the first time in the game as Ameobi swiveled on a six pence to strike a loose back which was beaten out by Mc Gregor.
Anya’s pace down the left was causing Nigeria all sorts of trouble and moments after Ameobi almost scored, the Scot cut inside before unleashing a goal bound effort which Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo did well to head away for a corner.
Seven minutes into the second half, Scotland took a deserved lead as James Morrison got on the end of a Hutton pass before the luckless Azubuike Egwuekwe knocked the ball past his goalkeeper and in to the net.
As expected, the Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi rang the changes with Peter Odemwingie and Nosa Igiebor replacing Michael Uchebo and Joel Obi respectively.
On 57 minutes, the substitute combined almost to lethal effect with Odemwingie laying off for the onrushing Igiebor whose low drive was impressively saved by McGregor.
Nigeria was let off the hook just after hour mark as Shaun Maloney’s strike was correctly ruled out for offside.
The Scots were creating the better goal scoring opportunities and on 67 minutes, Chris Martin warmed Ejide’s gloves with a shot from point blank range with the Nigeria defence completely missing.
Nigeria managed some half chances through second half substitutes, Victor Moses and Uche Nwofor late on but Scotland continued to defend stoutly.
Nwofor, who had looked extremely lively after coming on in the second half struck late on to save Nigeria’s blushes as the Super Eagles avoided defeat.
Nigeria coach, Keshi will now look forward to rapid improvements ahead of the commencement of the World Cup.
The Super Eagles are in Group F of the 2014 World Cup alongside Iran, Bosnia Herzegovina and Argentina.