Tolu Arokodare scored his debut goal for Nigeria Friday evening in a 1-1 draw against Russia in an international friendly at the 78,000 Luzniski Stadium in Moscow, reports The Standard Gazette reports.
The Eagles went down 1-0 from a Semi Ajayi own goal in the 27th minute as he tried to cut out Russia’s Krugovoy cross.
The Eagles failed to mount a serious threat after conceding the goal albeit Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru produced a brilliant moment towards the end of the first half.
Dele-Bashiru burst forward and let fly a shot that Matvei Safonov palmed away with five minutes left in the first half.
Russia seemed to be heading to a victory with less than 20 minutes left on the official’s match time but Arokodare levelled up when he pounced on the ball after a poor pass from Safonov.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye produced some fantastic saves for Nigeria to deny the nippy Russians.
The Eagles’ next international commitments are the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September and October.
