Nigeria recorded a 2-1 win over Iran in their opening game at the four-nation mini tournament in Antalya, Turkey on Friday afternoon.
The tournament was originally scheduled for Jordan, but was moved to Turkey due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Moses Simon gave Nigeria the lead inside the first 10 minutes, before Akor Adams added a second few minutes after the restart.
Mehdi Taremi pulled one back for Iran to set up a tense finish, but Nigeria held on to seal victory.
Jordan and Costa Rica will face-off in the second match of the tournament later today at 6:30 PM.
First half: Moses Simon gives Nigeria lead in dominant half
Maduka Okoye made his return to the starting lineup, while Igoh Ogbu and Samuel Chukwueze started in place of the injured Calvin Bassey and Victor Osimhen respectively, as Eric Chelle stuck with majority of the squad that played at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Alex Iwobi also started in what was his 98th appearance for Nigeria, moving him closer to the all-time record.
It took only six minutes for the Super Eagles to break the deadlock, as Paris FC forward Moses Simon got on the end of a pass from Samuel Chukwueze, before firing a low shot past the Iran goalkeeper.
The African giants enjoyed a sustained period of possession in the half and should have added a second but Adams’ effort hit the side netting.
The Super Eagles dominated and limited Iran to very little of the ball as the half ended 1-0 in their favour.
Second half: Akor Adams and Mehdi Taremi cancel out each other
Iran started the second half brightly, but it was Nigeria who threatened as Ademola Lookman rolled an attempt wide.
The second goal came just seven minutes after the restart through a La Liga connection as Lookman slipped in Adams, who finished easily into the net to double Nigeria’s advantage.
Igoh Ogbu went down with injury, with Chibuike Nwaiwu, who was called up as a late replacement for Bassey, coming on for his senior debut for the Super Eagles.
Iran then grew into the game in search of a way back and pulled one back through captain Taremi, who was on hand to slam home a rebound.
Taremi then had the ball in the back of the net minutes later, but the strike was ruled out for a handball during the buildup.
Lookman was the next to threaten, but his effort flew over the Iran post, as Nigeria sealed a 2-1 win to kickstart their campaign at the mini tournament on a good note.
What Next?
Nigeria will face Jordan in their next match on Tuesday, hoping for another win to continue their impressive form under Chelle.
