Nigeria Held 2-2 by Jordan as Fernandez Scores, Iwobi Red

Nigeria let a winning lead slip against Jordan and finished the Antalya friendly with ten men, drawing 2-2 after Alex Iwobi was sent off in stoppage time.

Jordan went ahead through Mousa Tamari in the 17th minute. Moses Simon levelled eight minutes later, slotting home from close range to equal Nwankwo Kanu’s all-time Nigeria goals record — a moment that deserved better than the chaos that followed.

Emmanuel Fernandez put the Super Eagles in front just before the break. The debutant controlled a cross from Bright Osayi-Samuel and fired left-footed into the net — composed, clinical, and exactly what Chelle would have hoped for from his new centre-back.

But Jordan were not done. Mohammad Al Aldahod equalised in the 77th minute and Nigeria could not respond. Then Iwobi, on as a substitute, grabbed an opponent by the neck in the 92nd minute and was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

It was needless. Iwobi has history with this — a similar flashpoint cost Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON against Tunisia. In high-level football, composure matters as much as quality.

Nigeria finish the Antalya tournament with results to build on — but lessons to learn too.