The Coach Stephen Keshi led side played its second tune up game as it contuse in its bid to step up preparations ahead of the World Cup in Brazil which is just eight days away now. The friendly game was the first of two the Eagles would play since the announcement of the 23-man final list by Stephen Keshi.
Both teams struggled to create clear cut chances in front of goal. A huge concern would come from the left-back position of the reigning Africa champions as Elderson Echiejile picked up a hamstring and had to be replaced by Sunshine stars Center-half, Kunle Odunlami just four minutes before the stoke of half-time.
Despite their lack of goals in recent games and their defensive compatibility, Greece did make the first attempt at goal in the 7th minute as Karagounis produced a clever through pass to Fetfatzidis, who did well to make space in the box before firing his shot over the target.
Stoke City striker, Osaze Odemwingie should have hit the target in the 14th minute but his shot from distance went well wide. Christodoulopoulos then came close with a fierce drive from way out which just went wide of Enyeama’s goal in the 21st minute.
A shot from outside the area from CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa forced the first save of the game from Greek goalkeeper Glykos with 25 minutes on the clock.
Fetfatzidis was then denied by Enyeama after some wonderful footwork which had the Super Eagle’s defence all over the place, luckily the Lille shot-stopper reacted well to push the low shot out for a corner.
With Keshi’s men finding it hard to breakdown the Greek defence, Nigeria had to resort to long range shots with Onazi letting fly from outside the box, but the shot was easily gathered by Glykos.
Both sides will take the positives ahead of the world cup and make necessary adjustments ahead of this summer’s world cup in Brazil. Nigeria is housed in Group F with Iran Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina while Greece is paired in Group C with Ivory Coast, Japan and Colombia.
The Eagles will play their final tune-up against the Yanks on Saturday June 7 before boarding their flight to the Brazil. Greece also has a date with Boliviar on June 6 before taking up Colombia on the 14th.
