International Friendly: Aribo’s Goal Earns Nigeria Valuable Draw Against Brazil

Joe Aribo netted his second goal in the colours of the Super Eagles as Nigeria held the Samba Boys of Brazil in Sunday’s international friendly game in Singapore.

Victor Osimhen had the first chance to put the Super Eagles on the lead in the 15th minute but he Man City goalkeeper, Ederson parried the shot away.

In the 27th minute, Gabriel Jesus tested the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho with a header, which he also parried away.

A few minutes later the Samba Boys of Brazil could have broken the deadlock when Phillipe Coutinho set up Roberto Firmino in the 18-yard box, only for him to shoot straight to the Nigerian goalkeeper.

The three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions took the lead in the 35th minute as Joe Aribo scored his second goal in the colours of Nigeria with a sublime finish. Recall that Aribo netted his debut goal for Nigeria against Ukraine last month international friendly.

Brazil almost equalized through Coutinho’s well-taken free-kick that went wide.

At the resumption of the second half, Brazil immediately leveled parity in the 48th minute through a Casimero’s simple tap in after Jesus’s header hit the cross back.

Osimhen’s header in the 52nd minute went straight into the hands of the Brazilian goalkeeper, who was well-positioned.

Brazil could have extended the lead in the 60th minute as Rachalison’s header hit the crossbar before the ball was cleared by the Nigerian defence line.

Nigeria’s Uzoho was substituted in the 63rd by debutant, Maduka Okoye, when he injured his ankle during an ariel battle.

The Samba Boys dominated possession and had few goal-scoring chances but failed to convert them. Coutinho was also culpable as he failed to pick his spot when he was gifted with the ball in Nigeria’s 18-yard box.

Chukwueze also had the chance to win the game for the Super Eagles as his shot failed to threatened the Brail goalkeeper.

All attempts to grab the winning goal proved abortive as both teams has to share the spoils.

Nigeria’s Player ratings.

Francis Uzoho 7: Was in his best form against Brazil as he parried away Gabriel Jesus’ header before preventing a Roberto Firmino’s low drive shot from entering the net. He also controlled his defence perfectly and kept his cool aerially. However, he was substituted after landing badly during an aerial battle in Nigeria’s 18-yard box.

William Troost-Ekong 6.5: The Udinese defender was solid at the back as he checkmated every movement of Brazil’s Gabriel Jesus. The captain of the day showed no sign of jittery as he marshaled the defence with great brilliance.

Semi Ajayi 5.5: The few minutes of the game saw the Nigerian defender failed to compose himself as he allowed Jesus and Arthur to dominate his position with ease.

Jamilu Collins 5: Confident with the ball and made some overlap that threatened the Brazil right-full back, anchored by PSG’s Dani Alves. But at some points, he started showing some signs of tiredness.

Chidozie Awaziem 6.5: Played one of his best games in the colours of the Super Eagles as he calmly thwarted any attacking threat by the Brazilian. The duo of Firmino and Everton found life difficult to penetrate through Awaziem’s position.

Joe Aribo 8: One of the most outstanding players against Brazil and was rewarded with a beautiful goal, where be beat two Brazilian defenders before slotting the ball past Ederson. PLayed brilliantly and was a menace anytime he was with the ball.

Wilfred Ndidi 6: Failed to marshal the midfield properly in the early part of the game as he allowed the Brazilain duo of Casimero and Arthur space to control possession at will. However, he later regained himself to halt some of Brazil’s attacks.

Samuel Chukwueze 6: Showed a glimpse of his pace and dribbles against Brazil but his final pass to Victor Osimhen was disappointing. The Villarreal star must learn to improve in his finishing.

Moses Simon 5: Did little or nothing to threatened the Brazil defence despite his wealth of experience.

Alex Iwobi 5: Yet to fulfill his potentials despite given every starting shirt by Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr. The Everton forward was caught most time with possession and hardly threatened the Brazil defence.

Victor Osimhen 7: Brilliant, strong and growing in confidence, the Nigerian international was a thorn in the flesh of Marquinhos and Thiago Silva. Could have scored in the 15th minute but Brazil goalkeeper, Ederson parried the ball away. In all, the Lille striker had an oustanding game before he was substituted for Paul Onuachu in the 72nd minute.

Substitution

Maduka Okoye 4: Came on for injured Francis Uzoho and prevented the Brazilian from scoring.

Paul Onuachu 4: Came on for Osimhen and had could not change the result of the encounter.

Ramon Azeez 3: Had little or no impact in the game.

Peter Olayinka 2: Had little or no impact.

Shehu Abdulahi 2:  Had little or no impact.