African champions, Nigeria were held to a 2-2 draw by ten-man Mexico in a thrilling friendly at the Reliant Stadium, Houston yesterday.
Nigeria was without Chelsea duo, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses who asked to be excused while Spartak Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike sat out the game because of injury.
In their absence, the Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi opted for a 4-3-3 formation and surprisingly dropped Vincent Enyeama to the bench with Austin Ejide starting instead.
Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile all started at the rear while the midfield was completed by Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu and Sunday Mba.
Nnamdi Oduamadi, Joseph Akpala and Ideye Brown were the three forward players for the Super Eagles with Ideye playing in the most forward position.
Mexico enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and quickly won a free kick in the 5th minute following some good work from Andres Guardado.
The Eagles responded swiftly three minutes later but Ogu’s impressive work ended in a woeful cross from the left.
The North Americans then took control and on 10 minutes, almost opened the scoring but Chicharito’s flick narrowly went over the crossbar.
Chicharito was involved in another great chance for Mexico three minutes later but his lay off after a wonderful cross from Pablo Barera was badly miscued by Aldo de Nigris.
A bad mistake by Echiejile on the quarter hour almost cost the African champions a goal as he lost possession with El Tri pouncing with efficiency.
Barrera coolly delivered an accurate cross from the move but de Negris’ effort was well-saved by Ejide.
Mexico continued to pepper the Nigerian goal and came close again in the 19th minute when Jesus Naval tried to connect with his head but the Nigerian defence rose to the occasion.
El Tricolor eventually got their reward on 21 minutes and it was the Manchester United man, Chicharito who finished off the move after yet another inviting cross by the impressive Barera.
Nigeria was to get a reprieve on 26 minutes as a brilliant passing move ended in a penalty with referee, Baldomero Toledo pointing to the spot after Barrera used his hand to stop the ball in the box.
Oduamadi’s goal-bound effort was handled by the Mexican defender leaving Toledo no option but to show him a straight red card.
Dynamo Kiev’s top scorer from last season, Ideye is never one to buckle under pressure on the big occasions and he duly stepped up to the plate by dispatching the penalty with ease; sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to bring the Eagles back on level terms.
Nigeria then went on to control the possession for the rest of the half but it was the Mexicans that created the next clear-cut opportunity when de Nigris’ effort produced a routine save from Ejide.
Almost immediately, Nigeria took the lead for the first time in the game. Ogu’s show of endeavour saw him hammer a shot that was deflected in by a Mexican defender.
Mexico almost restored parity in added time but de Nigris was again guilty of a bad miss after Guardardo passed with precision.
The second half began with the Mexican coach ringing the changes. In came Flores, Herera and Mier and out went Rodriguez, Torrado and the wasteful de Nigris as the pack was predictably shuffled.
Vincent Enyeama was also introduced for Ejide who had a decent first half.
Enyeama was soon called into action but he came off with top marks by diverting Carlos Salcido cross to safety.
Oduamadi almost won Nigeria’s second penalty of the evening minutes later but astonishingly, the referee gave nothing despite the Varese man suffering what looked like a bad foul from Reyes inside the box.
Instead, it was SS Lazio man, Onazi that went into the referee’s notebook for a foul two minutes later.
Nigeria came close again, three minutes after the hour but the impressive Oduamadi could only hit the post from the tightest of angles as Nigeria intensified their search for a third goal.
Mexico equalized in the 70th minute through Chicharito. There were suspicions of offside about the goal but the Mexican finished clinically enough and wheeled away in celebration.
The Mexicans finished the stronger but failed to convert any of their other goal scoring opportunities.
Nigeria coach, Keshi would take heart from an encouraging display as Nigeria continues a busy programme in June that will include two 2014 Fifa world cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia as well as the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria; Austin Ejide (Vincent Enyeama 46), Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile; Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Sunday Mba; Nnamdi Oduamadi, Joseph Akpala, Ideye Brown Mexico: Jose de Jesus ; Severo Meza (Javier Aquino 85’), Diego Reyes, Javier Rodriguez (Hector Herera 46’, Carlos Salcido; Pablo Barrera, Jesus Zavala, Gerardo Torrado (Hiram Mier 46’), Andres Guardado (Angel Reyna 64’); Aldo De Nigris (Gerardo Flores 46’), Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (Raul Jimenez 73’)