By Akinwale Kasali
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by six time World Cup champions, Brazil.
The Gernot Rohr tutored Super Eagles team shocked the ‘Selecao’, as the Brazil National team is called, Courtesy of Joe Ayodele-Aribo in the 34th minute to send the vociferous crowd at the Singapore International Stadium into wild jubilation.
Following the goal from the three time African Cup of Nations champion, the Brazilians upped the ante, attacking the Super Eagles, but failed to find the equaliser before the referee signaled the end of the first half.
On resumption of the second half, the Brazilians continued the attack from where they stopped in the first half.
This later paid off in the 48th minute, as Real Madrid Football Club midfielder, Casemiro, scored the equaliser.
The game, however, became a ding-dong affair till the end of the match.
Rohr gave newly invited players Peter Olayinka and Maduka Okoye their first cap for the national team with the duo coming in for goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Samuel Chukwueze.
The Super Eagles started the game with Uzoho in goal, while Awaziem, Troost Ekong, Ajayi and Collins starting in the defense.
In the midfield were Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Simon and Ayodele-Aribo complete the midfielders, while Osimhen led the attack.
The Brazilians made only one change in the team that played the Teranga Lions of Senegal on Wednesday, starting the match with Ederson Moraes in goal, Thiago Silva, Diego Alves, Alex Sandro and Marquinhos.
Others were: Neymar, Everton, Casemiro, Lodi, Firmino and Arthur.
