The third meeting between England and Nigeria will have great repercussions for the starting lineups for both countries with the 2018 FIFA World Cup just days away.
The Nigerian team has produced two wobbly performances in their last two Grade A friendlies – a 2-0 loss to Serbia and an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Congo DR last Monday.
The Super Eagles will have their full repertoire for this encounter while the England manager, Gareth Southgate, is expected to continue his team’s familiarisation with his favoured 3-5-2 formation.
Tagged a ‘World Cup’ match by Gernot Rohr, the action begins at Wembley Stadium by 5:15pm. Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for Live Updates.
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Cahill; Trippier, Young, Dier, Alli; Lingard, Kane, Sterling
Nigeria XI: Uzoho; Shehu, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Idowu; Onazi, Mikel, J. Obi; Moses, Iwobi, Ighalo
We are ready for the game at Wembley and the two teams have recited their national anthems
Jesse Lingard gets the game underway for England
The Nigerian supporters are booing Dele Alli every time he touches the ball – his dad was Nigerian but chose England instead
Collision… Super Eagles teammates Leon Balogun and Joel Obi hit each other as they try to nod the ball
England with the first shot at goal from a freekick but Uzoho parries for a corner
GOAL!!! England in front as Cahill nods in the ball
The hosts take the lead after just seven minutes, and it is a thumping header from Cahill.
Another corner kick for England.. Ashley Young swings it in
Shot by Raheem Sterling but Leon Balogun blocks for a corner
England dictating the pace… Nigeria yet to settle into this one
Timely block by Brian Idowu saves Nigeria from another heartache as the England attacker are just slicing through the Super Eagles defense
Another free kick for the Three Lions taken by Ashley Young but the Eagles defense take care of that
Mikel, Moses and Onazi swallowed up here… The Eagles not yet in this game so far
Pickford, the England keeper has virtually been on holiday in this game
CHANCE… Jese Lingard almost doubles the lead but Uzoho concedes a corner
Another save by Uzoho as England keep pouring on the Eagles defense
Iwobi does too much and commits a foul against Dele Alli
The Super Eagles finally stringing some passes together but the final delivery leaves much to be desired
CHANCE… Sterling takes a shot but over the bar
GOALLLLL!!!!!! Hary Kane doubles England’s lead
Uzoho does not make the best from that shot.. poor one by the Nigerian goalkeeper
Finally a real shot on target for Nigeria… Moses with a low shot but easy catch for Pickford
One minute added time at Wembley
HALFTIME: England 2-0 Nigeria
First Half Analysis: The Eagles have been poor – both tactically and physically. Ogenyi Onazi and Joel Obi – the two midfielders supposed to be the ball runners and winners have fallen flat, especially Onazi, who has been robbed of the ball on at least four occasions in that first half.
The ball has to get to Mikel and Victor Moses more. Gernot Rohr is expected to send on John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo for the ineffective Onazi and Joel Obi.
Second half back underway
GOALLLLL.. Iwobi pulls one back for Nigeria
The Eagles have made a couple of changes at the break, with Tyronne Ebuehi and Kenneth Omeruo replace Shehu and Leon Balogun.
Sterling goes down in the box but no penalty for England
Wasteful effort by Victor Moses as his shot goes wide
YELLOW CARD! Sterling gets a yellow card for diving, and it is the right decision.
CHANCE… Cahill with another header but this time it goes off target
Ahmed Musa comes in for Moses
Clash of knees for Walker and Ighalo
Attendance at Wembley is put at 72,000
Tyronne Ebuehi with a dashing run on the right… his cross not the best though
Danny Ross and Ruben Loftus Cheek in for for Lingard and Ashley Young
Mikel with a long-range effort but Pickford makes an easy catch
Rashford and Danny Welbeck coming in for England as Kane and Raheem Sterling leave the pitch
Another collision between two Nigerians.. Omeruo and Etebo hit each other
Rohr decides to bring in Iheanacho for Ighalo
Welbeck charging towards Nigeria’s goal but Troost Ekong makes a timely interception!
Dele Alli makes way for Fabian Delph
Four Minutes added time…
FULL TIME: England 2-1 Nigeria
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999
