Stephen Keshi’s men survived a demanding test from a solid side, building on last week’s 2-2 draw against Scotland at Craven Cottage.
Nigeria wasted a number of openings in an entertaining game at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania and their inability to convert begging chances ensured the Greek side grew in confidence to cause moments of panic for the Super Eagles.
The African champions made a lively start and won a free kick in the 10th minute as Victor Moses was brought down after breezing past three defenders with the resulting free kick wasted by Emmanuel Emenike.
Though Fernando Santos’s men were pegged down by the Nigerian backline, they relied on counter attacks as skipper Giorgos Karagounis fuelled the Pirate Ship’s attack.
Keshi’s men were made to pay for their profligacy in the 28th minute as Santos’s side almost got the curtain raiser as Fetfazidis shimmied inside the Nigeria defence and beat two defenders but his shot was saved by impressive Vincent Enyeama who put it out for a corner.
From that point, Greece gained more control offensively and showed more intensity against the speedy Nigerians.
Nigeria consistently wasted glorious chances in front of goal as they spurned a number of opportunities to take the lead. In the 37th minute, Ogenyi Onazi collected a pass from Osaze Odemwingie before firing a low cross at the Greek goal but Glykos was up to the task.
On resumption of the second half, few changes were made as the Greek side substituted goalkeeper Glykos for Kapinos while Nigeria also replaced Ahmed Musa with Michael Uchebo as Joseph Yobo came on for Godfrey Oboabona in central defence.
Uchebo came close to giving Nigeria the lead but could only spoon a pass received from Moses over with a Greek defender before his effort went high and wide from distance.
In the 82nd minute, the Greeks rallied and almost scored but Enyeama saved twice from substitute forwards Georgios Samaras and Dimitrio Salpingidis to keep the Nigerians in the game.
Both teams made several substitutions in the closing minutes, taking out their big guns for more inexperienced players. But the results were the same, as the two sides continued to have chances only to fall short of finding the net.
Goal.com
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