Impressive Eagles share points with Ukraine 2-2

By  Clarkson Ogo & Saheed Ibrahim

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in an international friendly match played tonight at the Dnipro-Arena.

The Nigerian team were quick to take the lead three minutes into the game when Ayodele Aribo tapped in a low cross from Alex Iwobi

The Ukrainians were close to getting an equaliser in the 13th minute but Keeper Akpeyi was quick to block the ball.

Debutante Joe Aribo who plays for Glasgow Rangers gave Nigeria an early lead before Lille striker Victor Oshimen made it 2-0 after converting a penalty just before halftime.

However, Ukraine scored two quick goals (in the space of two minutes) midway through the second half to deny the Super Eagles a famous victory at the Dnipro Arena.

The team wasted no time as newly invited forward, Joe Aribo announced himself to the world stage by scoring the first goal in the 4th minute with a simple tap-in via an Alex Iwobi’s cut back. It was the Glasgow Rangers first touch in the 18-yard box.

The 22nd minute witnessed a breathtaking attempt by Nigeria to extend the lead but the Ukrainian keeper was at alert to save Aribo’s header.

Nigeria had a penalty in the 32nd minute when Kalu was brought down by an Ukrainian defender in the box

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Victor Osimhen converted the spot kick to make it 2 for Nigeria and his first goal for the senior team

Akpeyi made a fantastic save in the 42nd minute to deny Ukraine a goal in the first half

The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria

The second half of the match began with lots of tackles and attempts at goal by the two sides.

Akpeyi was forced to make a brilliant save after dangerous free kick from Malinovsky in the 61st minute.

The two teams continued their impressive display but the Ukrainian team was able to get a goal after an impressive run and shot by Zichenko

Ukraine got the equaliser a minute after their first goal. The goal was scored by Yaremchuk.

The Nigerian team protested the goal, calling for a handball but Referee Paolo Valerie counted it as a goal.

Nigeria’s Francis Uzoho denied the host the chance of reducing the scoreline as he parried a Ukrainian player’s free-kick to the applause of Rohr and fans at the stadium.

Ukraine’s pressure finally paid off as the team reduced the scoreline in the 78th minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko before Roman Yaremchuk leveled the score in the 80th minute for the host.

Nigeria almost responded immediately but Samuel Chukwueze’s shot failed to threated the Ukraine goalkeeper

None of the two teams was able to get a winning goal afterwards, despite many attempts.