Former Lokomotiv Moscow defender, Brian Idowu has singled out Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye for praise following Nigeria's 1-1 draw against Russia in an international friendly match at the Luzhniki Stadium on Friday.
Idowu, who was born in Russia, credited Okoye with saving Eric Chelle's men during the encounter, highlighting the goalkeeper's crucial role in securing the draw for Nigeria.
Match Highlights
The hosts took the lead in the 27th minute when Semi Ajayi's unfortunate own-goal put Russia ahead. However, the Super Eagles fought back and equalized in the 71st minute through Tolu Arokodare's strike.
Throughout the match, Okoye made several impressive saves that kept Nigeria in the game, particularly as Russia created more scoring opportunities.
Idowu's Assessment
Speaking to Match TV after the game, Idowu was candid about the performance of both teams: "I think Russia played better and deserved the victory more. At the end, the Russians actually had more scoring chances, but their execution let them down a bit and Maduka Okoye saved and bailed out the boys very well."
"At the end, there were some fights and moments," he added, referring to the intensity of the closing stages of the match.
The friendly match serves as part of both teams' preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, with the Super Eagles looking to build momentum under coach Eric Chelle.
Nigerian fans have expressed mixed reactions to the team's performance, with many acknowledging Okoye's heroics while noting areas for improvement in the squad.
Follow BenriNews for more updates on the Super Eagles and other sports news:
