Nigeria were held to a 2-2 draw by Jordan in an entertaining international friendly at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday. The Super Eagles, out of World Cup qualifying contention after their defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African play-offs, were playing their second match since the Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third.
Here, they were without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is recovering from a broken right forearm. Akor Adams started up top in his place, but saw his goal chalked off in the first half. Rennes’ Mousa Al-Taarami opened the scoring with a powerful free kick from range on 17 minutes to give Jordan a shock lead.
Moses Simon levelled eight minutes later with a left-footed drive, before left-back Emmanuel Fernandez slotted home unmarked at the far post to turn the game around before the break. Mohammad Al Daoud stepped off the bench to equalise 13 minutes from time, and there was a red card for Fulham’s Alex Iwobi in stoppage time, as he lashed out after being held by Amer Jamous, with the incident leading to a late melee.
Jordan vs Nigeria latest updates
- GOAL! Al Daoud levels
- GOAL! Fernandez puts Super Eagles ahead
- GOAL! Simon equalises
- GOAL! Al-Taamari opens scoring
- Why is Osimhen not playing?
FT: Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:22 , Oli GentWell, that was an entertaining watch. Perhaps not the greatest in terms of pure quality, but a contest to say the least. It ends even.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE action.
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:21 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Iwobi sees red for his reaction! What an end to this friendly.
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:19 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: Handbags! A hold and clear foul has riled Iwobi up and there’s a scuffle in the middle of the pitch. The Fulham man has shoved his opponent in retaliation there.
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:17 , Oli Gent90 mins: Four added minutes.
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:14 , Oli Gent87 mins: Iwobi has started to make things happen in these dying embers. He is at the centre of the latest move, looking to slide a cross in, and winning a corner.
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:09 , Oli Gent82 mins: Two more Nigeria changes as Onyeka and Simon are replaced by Otele and Chukwueze.
Goal! Jordan 2-2 Nigeria
20:04 , Oli Gent77 mins: Jordan are level, and it’s Mohammad Al Daoud who is in down the right, and he slots home beyond Adebayo. Game on.
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
20:01 , Oli Gent72 mins: Al-Taamari breaks clear and looks to finish, but Adebayo sprawls at his feet to make the stop.
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:56 , Oli Gent67 mins: Close! Adebayo has to be aware as a mishit cross almost dips in underneath the crossbar.
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:50 , Oli Gent63 mins: No real clear-cut chances in this second half. With the introduction of two of Nigeria’s stars, however, you’d expect another goal to come...
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:47 , Oli Gent59 mins: Three changes for the Super Eagles as Adebayo replaces Uzoho, Iwobi and Ndidi are on for Sor and Onyedika.
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:44 , Oli Gent57 mins: Bad news for Nigeria as Uzoho is being treated and looks in pain. Not great when their first-choice Stanley Nwabali is out of the squad because he hasn’t got a club...
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:41 , Oli Gent53 mins: Close! Fernandez is causing problems in the attacking third once more as he meets Lookman’s corner, but can only nod wide.
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:37 , Oli Gent50 mins: A positive start to the second half from the Super Eagles. They’re looking for that third that should kill this game off.
Kick off
19:32 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:17 , Oli GentThere’s the half-time whistle. Plenty to digest there in a surprinsingly even first half.
What will the second have in store?
Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:17 , Oli Gent45 mins: Sabra looks to escape in behind, but is caught offside.
Goal! Jordan 1-2 Nigeria
19:13 , Oli Gent41 mins: The Super Eagles have found that second, as Emmanuel Fernandez gets in on the act. He ghosts in at the far post to slot past Abulaila.
Jordan 1-1 Nigeria
19:12 , Oli Gent39 mins: Lookman is getting into his groove as we approach the interval. He’s drifting inside more and getting onto the ball in dangerous areas, looking to make things happen.
Jordan 1-1 Nigeria
19:06 , Oli Gent35 mins: It’s been quite an even first half against all the odds. Who can find that elusive second goal to go in ahead at the break?
Jordan 1-1 Nigeria
19:01 , Oli Gent30 mins: A chance for Al-Taamari to hit another free kick from a similar range to the one he scored from. He plays it short for Sabra who strikes, but it’s deflected wide.
Goal! Jordan 1-1 Nigeria
18:58 , Oli Gent26 mins: This one will count. The Super Eagles are level and it’s Moses Simon. Lookman saw his effort blocked, but the forward was on hand to lash home the rebound as it fell to him on the edge of the area.
Jordan 1-0 Nigeria
18:55 , Oli Gent25 mins: Nigeria think they’ve equalised through Adams, as he defledcts home Onyedika’s strike, but the striker is ruled offside.
Jordan 1-0 Nigeria
18:52 , Oli Gent21 mins: Such a good chance for Al-Taamari to double his tally as Jordan stream forward once more. Mardi’s cross is not dealt with, and it comes to the Rennes man at the far post, but he can’t divert goalwards.
Goal! Jordan 1-0 Nigeria
18:49 , Oli Gent17 mins: It’s there, and Jordan take a shock lead!
It’s a thunderous strike from Al-Taamari, who slams one home left-footed, which Uzoho can only palm into the net.
Jordan 0-0 Nigeria
18:47 , Oli Gent15 mins: Well swept up by Onyeka as Alrawabdeh made a break from midfield, but Onyedika is penalised as he fells Assaf. Free kick, Jordan.
Jordan 0-0 Nigeria
18:41 , Oli Gent11 mins: A stop-start game so far. Mardi sends a whipped cross into the middle, which Uzoho gathers with more conviction this time around. Nigeria break down the left through Simon, who is chopped down by Nasib.
Jordan 0-0 Nigeria
18:39 , Oli Gent8 mins: After their early spate of possession, Nigeria are now on the back foot after Jordan’s fast start. Sabra looks to make a nuisance of himself in the box, but finds himself crowded out by Sanusi. Corner, which Uzoho flaps at, but it’s cleared.
Jordan 0-0 Nigeria
18:38 , Oli Gent6 mins: A few early fouls conceded by the Super Eagles, giving Jordan a handful of chances to deliver from set plays. The deliveries have been poor, however, and we remain goalless.
Jordan 0-0 Nigeria
18:35 , Oli Gent4 mins: Jordan are looking for a fast start but it is Nigeria who take control of the early possession. The Super Eagles are knocking it about with confidence in these opening exchanges.
Kick off!
18:32 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minutes to go
18:25 , Oli GentThe players are on their way out, and we’re about to get going in Antalya.
Fan reaction
18:15 , Oli GentA chance for Uzoho to get back his shirt, with Nwabali current situation
— CON (@chrisoliver_T) March 31, 2026
Half an hour to kick off!
18:07 , Oli GentWho will win this one?
Plenty of rotation
17:55 , Oli Gent... there from Chelle.
Onyeka and Onyedika get a run-out in midfield, while the limited attacking options mean that three of the starting four from last time out are back in the XI once more.
Nigeria lineup
17:44 , Oli GentNigeria XI: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Sanusi, Ogbu, Fernandez; Onyeka, Onyedika; Sor, Lookman, Simon, Adams
Subs: Adebayo, Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru, Chukwueze, Otelle, Ejuke, Iwobi, Onuachu, Nwaiwu
Jordan lineup
17:33 , Oli GentJordan XI: Abulaila; Nasib, Alarab, Abualnadi; Abu Tahha, Alrashdan, Alrawabdeh, Assaf; Altamari, Mardi, Sabra
Subs: Alfakhori, Suleiman, Abudahab, Obaid, Abualjazar, Taha, Abuhasheesh, Qashi, Aldaoud, Jamous, Sa’Deh, Fakhoury, Azaizeh, Abu Zraiq, Faisal
News just in!
17:27 , Oli GentFor Premier League fans... Tottenham have just announced their new manager...
When can we expect Osimhen back?
17:14 , Oli GentOsimhen, having been discharged from hospital this morning, looks set to be sidelined for the next four to six weeks at least.
The 27-year-old reportedly made a personal request to remain in hospital for a couple of extra days after his surgery to give his recovery the best possible start.
There is apparent, reserved optimism that he could potentially be fit to feature in the huge Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce on April 26.
Why is Osimhen not in the squad
17:04 , Oli GentThe Galatasaray striker suffered a broken forearm playing for his club against Liverpool in the Champions League.
It is thought the incident occurred when he was challenging with Reds centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
He is reported to have been discharged from hospital today after undergoing surgery.
Why is this game being played in Turkey?
16:55 , Oli GentPut simply, the outbreak of military combat in the Middle East.
Both Nigeria’s matches - today and agaisnt Iran - were scheduled to be play in the Jordanian capital of Ammam.
However, with the ongoing conflict, the originally-planned four-team mini-tournament was moved to Turkey.
Standard Sport prediction
16:41 , Oli GentThis should be a relatively comfortable gane for the Super Eagles, but they have struggled in Osimhen’s absence previously.
Adams was an able deputy last time out, but questions remain over whether he is truly prolific enough to lead the line regularly.
Jordan surprised the Costa Ricans in their most recent outing, and Al-Taamari in particular carries a threat down the left.
Nigeria to win, 3-1.
Jordan team news
16:34 , Oli GentJordan, managed by Moroccan Jamal Sellami, are fresh off their 2-2 draw with Costa Rica last time out.
Baha Faisal netted frmo the penalty spot to open the scoring in Antalya, before Ibrahim Sabra stepped off the bench to net the second just a minute after replacing Faisal.
They were pegged back late on, however, as Josimar Alcocer halved the deficit with six minutes to play, and Warren Madrigal snatched a late draw in the first minute of stoppage time.
Sellami’s side lined up in a 3-4-3, with Faisal flanked by Mousa Al-Taamari of Rennes on the right and Odeh Fakhoury on the left.
Nigeria team news
16:26 , Oli GentObviously, the big absentee is Osimhen, and Chelle is missing his star striker.
That said, Akor Adams and Moses Simon stepped up against Iran to get their post-AFCON period off to a winning start.
Ademola Lookman started as the No10 last time out, while Fulham’s Samuel Chukwueze was off the right. His club-mate Alex Iwobi partnered Wilfred Ndidi in midfield.
Brentford’s Frank Onyeka, on loan at Championship side Coventry, came off the bench.
How much will Chelle rotate this evening?
Hello and welcome!
16:15 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Nigera’s international friendly with Jordan.
This game takes place in Antalya, Turkeyt this evening because of military conflict in the Middle East.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 6.30pm BST.
